WINNERS
Captain Kink-Mitch Pateman-Brett Pope.
Charleton Eddie-Pat Carbery-Sean & Jake Casey.
Son Of A God-William Pike-Simon Miller.
Condor Heroes-Shaun McGruddy-Chris Gangemi.
Mystery Miss-William Pike-Grant & Alana Williams.
King Blitz-Peta Edwards-Barry Newnham.
Dark Choice-Chris Graham-Grant & Alana Williams.
Tuscan Queen-William Pike-Grant & Alana Williams
Black Shadow-Jason Brown-Jim Taylor.
Celebrity Queen-William Pike-Grant & Alana Williams.
JOCKEYS
Tuscan Queen was the peak of William Pike’s quartet of winners and his ninth WA Derby, but his patient ride on Mystery Miss was elite. Son Of A God launched a golden day and Celebrity Queen ended it on a high.
A productive 48 hours for Mitch Pateman. After a double on Good Friday he commenced Easter Saturday with a bang, lifting Captain Kink, who fought back after being headed by Stella Door. Not often Paul Harvey is beaten in the vigour stakes, but Pateman earned bragging rights on this occasion.
TRAINER
Grant and Alana Williams have made the WA Derby a race of their own in the past decade. Dreamaway started a winning run that reached eight winners with Tuscan Queen. The filly was the cherry on top after wins also to Mystery Miss, Dark Choice and Celebrity Queen.
Chris Gangemi’s reputation for reviving the fortunes of tried gallopers was enhanced again when former eastern states galloper Condor Heroes made a sparking West Australian debut. Bought for $12,000, the five-year-old produced an immediate return when he rolled to the front and held out the swoopers including State Attorney by a head.
King Blitz doesn’t have the best of legs but he does have a motor, he does have a heart and he does have a trainer in Barry Newnham who has worked tirelessly to get the six-year-old back racing again and who continues to show support to jockey Peta Edwards. A big win by the gelding with 62kg on his back.
WIN OF THE DAY
Tuscan Queen validated $1.40 favouritism when she turned the Group 2 Schweppes WA Derby (2400m) into a romp, dashing away to defeat Red Hot Tip by 4 ¾ lengths. It completes a feature race trifecta for the Fastnet Rock filly after previous victories in the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) and WA Oaks. (2400m). It also continued an amazing race record for jockey, William Pike, co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams and owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters.
WINNING FAVOURITES
Son Of A God (3) $1.80.
Mystery Miss (5) $2.80.
Tuscan Queen (8) $1.40.
Celebrity Queen (10) $2.20.
BEATEN FAVOURITES
Stella Door (1) $2.20.
Our Boy Dylan (2) $1.90.
Catherine Wheel (4) $4.80.
Tollman (6) $3.30.
Divine Shadow (7) $3.60.
Adornment (9) $3.30.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Our Boy Dylan may have gone one run too far and going by his pre-race shenanigans, he didn’t want to be out there. Raced wide and pulled up mildly lame in the off-fore. Stella Door and Daishio raced wide, Skinnen Tins and Route Eighty Eight were held up.
HORSES TO FOLLOW.
You can rely on Son Of A God. He has come a long way since that wayward Northam maiden last year. After a stack of work behind the scenes with trainer Simon Miller he has come back to reel off four straight wins this preparation and his first on a Saturday. Route Eighty Eight is racing well, but can find trouble. Watch Me Ney Ney will improve over more ground.
LONGEST-PRICED WINNER
Dark Choice: $15.50 &$3.40.
SHORTEST-PRICED WINNER
Tuscan Queen: $1.40.
BIGGEST WINNING MARGIN
Charlton Eddie: 5 lengths.
Tuscan Queen: 4 ¾.
Julio Santarelli