Gold Front Thoroughbreds stallion Awesome Rock was represented by his fifth Stakes winner when Own The Queen overcame a wide draw in the LR Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) on Saturday.
Own The Queen was forced to work overtime around the top corner before finding the fence along the riverside for Troy Turner. She clicked up a gear when sprinting clear at the top of the home straight to score a comfortable one length victory over Miss Skyhigh (Harry Angel).
The Justine Erkelens-trained 3yo filly (Photo / Western Racepix) was unplaced on debut in the $50,000 Own The Dream Maiden (1400m) at Ascot on December 23 before launching a winning seven-day turnaround in the Coral Bay Bakery Maiden (1500m) at a Pinjarra.
Resuming after a short break last month, she won the Lexus Of Perth Hcp (1400m) at Ascot and completed a hat-trick when stepping up to Stakes level on Saturday.
“She was pretty much running on raw ability in her first prep but is maturing now,” Erkelens said. “Once she starts putting it all together, she will be a nice staying horse.
The G3 WA Oaks (2400m) worth $300,000 at Ascot on March 30 is her grand-final this prep.
“She reminds me of Friar Fox,” Erkelens added. “She’s calm and relaxed and loves being in work. And she will stay all day.”
Friar Fox (Blackfriars) was runner-up in the 2018 Ascot 1000 Guineas won by Like a Butterfly (Blackfriars). She made amends for Erkelens and her connections a fortnight later in the LR Natasha Stakes (2200m) and much later claimed LR Boulder Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Darling View Thoroughbreds director Clive Atwell bred and sold Own The Queen for $57,500 through the Western Breeders Alliance consignment at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. He was also the owner-breeder of her dam Queen Of Choice (Patronize) who won at Ascot & Belmont for trainer David Harrison.
Awesome Rock also sired interstate maiden winner Awesome Lineup at Ararat on Thursday. The lightly-raced 3yo is trained by Leon & Troy Corstens and they also prepared Awesome Rock to win the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in 2016.
