Western Breeders’ Alliance topped Perth’s Magic Millions Sale with turnover of $2.31 million in February and they’ve jumped the gun with five winners already this month.
Ascot winners in March that were catalogued by WBA for Swan Valley Sales include Street Parade (Lucky Street), Alaskalot (A Lot) and American Troop (King’s Troop). Their out-of-town winners last week were both ridden by Willie Pike – Al Quepone (Al Maher) in the Esperance Sprint and Deep Envy (Deep Field) in a maiden at Pinjarra.
Street Parade (Photo / Western Racepix) scored a strong victory in the Lewis Green Hcp (1000m) last Saturday and that was a huge relief for trainer Russell Stewart. The gelding had started a $2.90 favourite for the RL Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) on February 18 but was pulled out of the race 600m from home at Pinjarra.
Stewards reported Chris Parnham restrained the horse after he mis-strode twice passing the half-mile pole. “I was gutted,” Stewart admitted. “I was supposed to inspect yearlings the following day but I stayed home and didn’t move from the couch.
“He was going to the paddock but I got him ready for the trials at Belmont and he went well. The horse’s welfare always comes first and I gave a guarantee to (Chief Steward) Brad Lewis he would be right today.”
Street Parade (3g Lucky Street – Foo Foo The Snoo by Starcraft) was bred by Clive Atwell and cost $40,000 from WBA at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. He has now earned $424,000 including Westspeed Platinum bonuses of $176,000.
American Troop had to overcome a much harsher ordeal to win the Amelia Park Hcp (1400m) at Ascot yesterday. He was racing second-up after being sidelined for twelve months following a bout of pneumonia.
“He was a very crook horse,” co-trainer Chris Gangemi revealed on Sunday. “He was at Murdoch University and it’s taken a while to get him back here today. He’s a lovely big boy and it was an 11 out of 10 ride by Jarrad (Noske). He was obviously peaking on his run at the finish and there’s more improvement to come.”
American Troop (4g King’s Troop – Stella Di Notte by Sebring) had won a Belmont maiden last February and then finished fourth to Trix Of The Trade in the LR Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) before going amiss.
Stella Di Notte had won an Ipswich 2yo maiden first-up for Tony Gollan and she has been a regular visitor to King’s Troop (Redoute’s Choice). Their lightly-raced 3yo Kings Sicario was last seen charging home for an impressive second to Emerald Trader at Belmont in November.
The mare has an unnamed 2yo filly and a filly foal both by King’s Troop.
