Amelia Park added another string to its bow for the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) when Royal Toronado won again over 1800m at Ascot on Saturday.
It could have been a November hat-trick but for a last-start loss seven days earlier when runner-up to Candlelight Supper (Vert De Grece). Willie Pike shouldered the blame for going down a neck that day but ‘The Wiz’ was back to his brilliant best in the Schweppes Hcp (1800m). Photo / Western Racepix
Given time to settle in the back-half, Royal Toronado weaved through the field and was already in front at the furlong. Then old stager Sowar (Sepoy) issued a late challenge prompting Pike to get down and punch him home.
“I messed it up last week. I was too negative out of the barriers and too busy trying the keep the horse in his comfort zone,” Pike confessed after bringing the $2.10 favourite back to scale. “He recovered quickly but was waiting for the others again today.
“Same thing happened last week. He was going to win but came off the gas. There’s another gear there when we can get him to run through the line.”
With or without another gear, Royal Toronado has firmed into $11 for the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day. Amelia Park’s LR Northam Cup (1600m) winner Buckets Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) is on the second line of early markets at $7. Peters Investments homebred Diamond Scene (So You Think) is the $6 favourite.
Grant and Alana Williams prepare both Amelia Park gallopers and they gave Royal Toronado an easy week on the water-walker. “He came through last Saturday really good and only galloped on Thursday morning,” Grant said. “He had to tough it out today and the turnaround maybe took a toll.
“This has helped his rating and we will have a serious think about the Perth Cup. It’s not an overly strong staying race looking at the noms.”
Swettenham Stud’s Group 1 shuttler Toronado (High Chaparral) sired him from Harada Queen (Haradasun) who is owned by Amelia Park’s Peter Walsh in partnership with Brian Bradley and John Cipriani.
Harada Queen has been foaling like clockwork with her most recent deliveries a 2yo filly by Frosted (USA) and a yearling filly by Nicconi. She was given a year off after a Lightsaber colt arrived on November 12.
