Western Australian racing pays homage to one of the greats of the Australian Turf with the inaugural running of the Listed Old Comrade Stakes (1600m).
Old Comrade, bred and owned by Bob Peters, raced on 22 occasions, claiming six wins, six second and two third placings for stake earnings of $1,782,250.
After winning a Bunbury maiden at his fourth career start in 2000, Old Comrade advanced to claim four events at racing’s highest level.
The son of Old Spice won the Kingston Town Classic twice (2000-2001), the Railway Stakes (2000) and the Australian Cup at Flemington (2002).
Peters said Old Comrade deserved to have a race named in his honour.
“It’s nice to be recognised as obviously he was a very nice horse, “Peters said.
“To win two Kingston Towns and a Railway as a three-year-old is pretty special”
Peters believes the Australian Cup victory in Melbourne was arguably Old Comrade’s greatest triumph as he emerged from the shadows of rival Western Australian champion, Northerly.
Ridden by, Paul Harvey, Old Comrade gave his arch rival a start, but after sitting back and being saved for one final run, he got up and scored in a thrilling conclusion by a neck margin.
“The way he ran down Northerly who was in his prime was quite a feat,” Peters said.
Old Comrade, prepared by Lindsey Smith, met Northerly, who was inducted into the Western Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Australian Racing Hall of Fame three years later, met four times with honours tied at two wins apiece.
The Old Comrade Stakes headlines an eight event card at Ascot on Saturday.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli