Westbury Park has doubled its roster with Straight Charge and Winning Rupert but the news cycle surrounding the recent arrivals hasn’t eclipsed incumbent sires My Admiration and A Lot (USA).
Straight Charge (Written By) won a G2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill and his retirement met with a resounding endorsement by regular jockey Tim Clark. He rated the colt a faster horse than his Magic Millions 2yo Classic winning stablemate Storm Boy (Justify).
“Straight Charge has the speed and Storm Boy has a lot of depth,” he declared. “They’re both extremely talented colts.”
Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) represents the same sireline and he chimed in with promising 2yo Cool Gent a very impressive winner of the LR Oxlade Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.
“Tyler (Schiller) jumped off and reckons Cool Gent could be a Guineas horse next season,” part-owner and trainer Adam Barling revealed. “But his future is up in the air because I keep fielding calls from Hong Kong.”
Back in Perth, A Lot (Tapit) and My Admiration (Encosta De Lago) can come under notice with Auto Cruise and Old Mate Henry both winning chances at Belmont this Saturday.
Auto Cruise (4m A Lot – Cruisey Bek by Hala Bek) has been a model of consistency for trainer Holly Taylor since winning on debut at Northam twelve months ago. She’s never been out of a place in seven starts and has opened a $3.10 favourite for the Think Pink Hope Heels & Horses Hcp (1400m) on Saturday.
It’s also the anniversary of Taylor’s black-type breakthrough with Cousin Ivan (Fiorente) in the LR Aquanita Stakes (2000m) of 2020. “She’s come back a bigger mare and hopefully she’s in a for a good prep,” Taylor predicted when Auto Cruise returned to scale following her last-start victory at Ascot.
Our Mate Archie wins the Lawn Pride Hcp at Belmont on Wednesday Photo: Western Racepix
“She’s always had ability but we’ve been patient because it’s taken time for her to toughen up. She settles and has a turn of foot and will probably get out to 2000m but we’re in no rush.”
Auto Cruise was bred by the late Dr Colin Davey using A Lot (Tapit) over a half-sister to the dam of Playing God filly Feels Playful (LR Challenge Stakes). Haulpak filly Star Pet also appears further down the page as a Listed winner of the Beaufine Sprint (1000m).
My Admiration sprinter-miler Our Mate Archie was a three-length winner at Belmont on Wednesday and his younger full-brother Old Mate Henry can double up for the family in the Bisley Workwear Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.
The Steele Casey-trained brothers were bred and are part-owned by Russell and Wendy Clarke. The Serpentine couple were gifted their dam Blooper (Patronize) and she also foaled Pinjarra winner Decoy Belle (He’s A Decoy).
Our Mate Archie can be a Saturday horse according to jockey Brad Parnham after his easy victory in midweek company earlier this week. “I was happy in running and he felt great striding out with cover,” Parnham said following the Lawn Pride Hcp (1650m). “I was confident a long way out and he put them away by a margin.”
Westbury Park owner Phil Ibbotson has assembled a quality roster this year with A Lot ($7,700), Straight Charge ($6,600), Winning Rupert ($4,400) and My Admiration ($4,400) all value plus options for broodmare owners.
