Precocious filly Yes Queen gave nothing else a chance to win as she liked on debut in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Trained by ‘King of the Kids’ Dion Luciani for south-west owner-breeder Brett Fogarty, Yes Queen looked a very promising early-season 2yo leading at every panel for Willie Pike on Day 2 of The Pinnacles.
A well-backed $4.60 second-favourite following two trial wins by a combined eight lengths, she was just as dominant on race-day putting a margin on I’m All The Talk youngsters Talkanco and Backchatting. Photo / Western Racepix
Yes Queen had been on the borderline for a start on Saturday. “I spoke to Brett last night and we were 50-50 whether to go ahead,” Luciani revealed. “It’s only her first prep and we didn’t want to ask for too much, too early.
“Her trials were raw but very sharp and we already had a good opinion off her E-Trakka readings. She can be a hot-head and I was a bit stressed when she was in the gates for so long. But once she jumped and led I felt more comfortable. And having Willie on board made it a lot easier.
“I’m pleased to train a good one for Brett because he’s been a big supporter of mine both on and off the track. She will go the paddock now and looks sharp enough to target those better races next year.”
Pike rated Yes Queen perfectly and then extended at the top of the straight. “She felt like a nice filly at the trials and in front today.
“I told the owners she can be a firecracker but also user-friendly because she conserved a little bit for when we kicked. Having that speed and having it under control is a really nice blend for a rider.”
Yes Queen (2f Yes Yes Yes – Timely Queen by Danetime) banked $76,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $22,000 for Fogarty who founded Perth-based engineering and infrastrucure company GRD. He owns Cape Falls Thoroughbreds at Wilyabrup and the best of his black-type gallopers includes First Among Equals (Exceed And Excel) who earned over $875,000 topped by Listed victories in the 2016 Belmont Newmarket (1200m) and 2018 Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington.
He bred Yes Queen booking Coolmore stallion Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) over Timely Queen (Danetime) who descends from the family of Jungle Dawn and Jungle Mist. She won four in town for Trevor Andrews and was also Listed-placed in the 2008 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) behind Danerip (Danetime).
