Roger is the latest 3yo newcomer to join the TBWA Winner Of The Week roll-call with a two-length victory that wasn’t unexpected in the Perth Racing Recruiting Maiden (1200m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
Starting a prohibitive $1.40 favourite on debut, the well-built and well-bred chestnut son of Vinery Stud sire All Too Hard sat one-out and one-back before taking over at the top of the straight. He responded when asked to extend by Willie Pike and won as he liked from General Napoleon (Universal Ruler) and Call Me Invincible (I Am Invincible).
“He felt very strong early and then settled a little bit too much,” Pike reported. “He’s still learning as you would expect and it’s either all on or all off at this stage. He’s good natured and gave me a good kick before coasting to the line.”
Roger was bred by Darling View Director Clive Atwell and is the first and final foal from Worth A Risk (Written Tycoon) who won seven races on the provincial circuit for Pearce Racing and Steve Wolfe.
It’s a Peters Investments family through second-dam Risktaker (Orientate) and her More Than Ready (USA) half-sisters Perfect Reflection (G1 Kingston Town Classic), Ideal Image (G3 La Trice Classic) and New Image (LR Belmont Oaks).
“When they go out that short it’s always a relief to see them win,” trainer Dan Morton admitted. “He was impressive at the trials and we couldn’t have asked for a better debut. He was a beautiful yearling and there’s plenty to like under the hood.”
Roger was passed in when failing to make a $150,000 reserve at the 2025 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and was later sold to a partnership managed by Perth car dealer Idan Young.
Young also paid $450,000 for a Playing God – Clear Blue Sky colt at 2025 Magic Millions. Named God’s Hammer, he’s also with Morton and was last seen finishing second to The Persian God (Tagaloa) at Belmont last month.
