Talented 3yo Westbound is bound for better wins if his latest victory at Ascot is any guide for owner-breeders Peters Investments and trainer Michael Grantham.
Westbound was caught three-wide without cover around the tight top turn in the Thank You Craig Staples Hcp (1800m) on Saturday before angling into the running line behind a solid pace set by Fifth Essence (Patronize).
Ridden patiently down the river side, the odds-on favourite began making headway into the home turn but looked safely held by Simply Thinkin’ (So You Think) well into the straight. Brad Parnham got to work and Westbound responded as if set alight to launch a late sprint in the cerise and white silks.
“He stepped up from 1400m to 1800m today and feels like he’s going places,” Parnham said. “It was tricky gate but it helped when the pace increased from the 1600m to the 1000m. We were further back than planned but he has a lot more racing ahead. He ran right through the line and will be getting out further.
“I spoke to Michael this morning and he said to just trust the horse because he’s on the way up and has got a good enough engine to get over the top of them.
Westbound (Photo / Western Racepix) is by Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (High Chaparral) and his dam Western Jewel (Jeune) won a G2 Perth Cup (2400m) and is a renowned producer of G1 Railway Stakes (1600) winner Western Empire (Ifraaj) and LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) winner Western Temple (Dream Ahead).
Peters Investments completed a double later in the afternoon with well-bred stablemate Mississippi Dawn. She had won at Bunbury and Ascot during a spring prep but started a $31 outsider first-up in the appropriately named Peters Investments Hwy (1400m) due to average progress this year.
Mississippi Dawn (Pierro) is the first foal of Mississippi Delta (High Chaparral) who won a G2 Perth Cup (2400m) and is a half-sister to G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) winner Elite Belle (Canny Lad). She had won at Ascot last November by only enough to wear by under Cassey Martinan from Crimson Pirate (Trapeze Artist).
