The much anticipated battle between Smoko and Magnifisio failed to materialise when rank outsider Pininci caused a boil over in the Listed Beaufine Stakes.
The David Harrison-trained five-year-old, who returned $28.70 and $3.80, was parked behind a hot speed by jockey Pat Carbery before he pushed one out and sprinted clear in the straight
Carbery had clear running over hot favourite Smoko who was trapped wide throughout but fought on gallantly for second, beaten one length.
Recode flashed home from the back of the field to run third, just ahead of second elect Magnifisio who laboured with the top weight of 58.5kg.
Pininci’s Beaufine Stakes victory was icing on the cake for the Carbery and Harrison combination after they won last year’s with Settle Strada.
They also teamed up with Benito in race three while Carbery closed out his top day with a riding treble, courtesy of Trade Down.
The son of Trade Fair has been in blistering form since resuming in May and claimed a winning hat trick when he gathered in Brother Patrick.
The four-year-old, prepared by George Daly, was one of just two gallopers to defy a leader’s bias track when he ran on strongly from the tail of the field.
A delighted Daly said Trade Down was performing above expectations and could develop into an Ascot summer carnival contender later this year.
“Someone up there likes me because he keeps on improving,” said Daly.
“I will test him out over a mile in two weeks.
“He is keeping me in good spirits.”
Castle Retreat had the form on the board with consecutive third placings behind boom juvenile Rebel King and Sheidel.
The son of Oratorio sat outside of leader Hellyer and took the length of the straight to wear down the gallant runner-up.
Castle Retreat, who firmed into narrow favouritism over Hellyer, landed his first win in six outings in the Westspeed Nursery.
”I’m surprised he didn’t start shorter but the second horse was terrific,” said trainer, Paul Jordan.
“He fought back after being headed and has his foot on the till.”
Crown Lawyer was the subject of heavy on-course support, firming from $8 into $5 and responded with victory in Get Your Westspeed Nominations In Now Handicap (1400m).
Sent forward by apprentice Chris Parnham, the Not A Single Doubt gelding led all the way and was never seriously challenged by his rivals.
He had a sizeable break on straightening and kicked clear to win by a dominant 1 ¾ lengths over closing back markers Terror Force and Bonny Zahra.
Sujet, the hot favourite, burnt the pockets of punters for the second consecutive occasion when placed fourth.
Crown Lawyer has won three of four this campaign with his sole defeat a luckless third to Sujet over 1200m on June 14.
“I said before he should have won that race if he didn’t get blocked for a run on the fence.” said trainer, Neville Parnham.
“I think he is capable of getting to Listed level and races in next year’s Hannans in Kalgoorlie and the Bunbury Stakes look suitable options.”
Trainer Justin Warwick and his jockey daughter, Lucy, continued their fine form when they teamed up with Rive Gauche to win the Legrand Excel Life Handicap (2100m).
The emerging apprentice rated the Zabeel gelding perfectly, striding him out confidently under hands and heels riding.
Rive Gauche who ran third, second and fourth at his previous three outings, boosted stake earnings to within $150,000.
“He had been working towards it and it was a beautifully rated ride,” said Justin.
“I actually tried to sell him a few months ago so everyone is happy.”
Korenica stood her rivals a massive start in the MM Electrical Handicap (1400m) but flashed home with an outstanding finishing burst.
“I think they were scooting on early which set it up for the back markers,” said trainer Graeme Ballantyne.
“That’s the way you have to ride the girl, hold her up, hold her up and pull her to the outside where she gets home pretty well.”