Local trainer Dan Morton has completed a winning double at Ascot this week with the Ross Price-bred stablemates Bohemian Diamond (Maschino) and Girls Day Out (Long Leaf).

Bohemian Diamond (5m Maschino – Elsie’s Rhapsody by State City) claimed the first-leg after taking advantage of a beautiful trail under Brad Parnham to score by over a length from De Grandhomme (Star Turn) in the Quayclean Hcp (1200m) on Saturday.

“She’s a beautiful mare and was being set for the classics as an autumn 3yo but pulled up lame in the LR Natasha Stakes (1800m),” Morton recalled following the first-up victory.  “She won three sprints at Belmont last season and that was great return today.”

Bohemian Diamond was bred by Price and he sold her through the Ruby Racing & Breeding consignment for $45,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.  The Capel-based horseman was a renowned Group 1 winning trainer before branching out as a breeder and was he honoured with a WA Spirit of Racing Award alongside his wife Tammy in 2023.

Among them is the Maschino full-sister to Bohemian Diamond catalogued as Lot 166 on Thursday, 19 February.  Their dam Elsie’s Rhapsody is a full-sister to LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) winner Reimbursement (State City).

Girls Day Out (4m Long Leaf – Radiant Diva by Lonhro) added the second-leg for Morton and Price when she won first-up from a six-month spell in a midweek renewal of the Quayclean Hcp (1000m) at Ascot yesterday.

She went out a $2.20 favourite and kept Great Promise (Magnus) honest in front before holding on to defeat Don’t Wink (Star Turn) and Mr Kissinger (Trapeze Artist).  “That was a strong win and she’s in for good campaign,” Morton confirmed.  “She was a beaten favourite several times during a winter prep but we’ve been buoyed by her progress since adding a tongue-tie and cross-over nose-band.”

Girls Day Out was bred by Price using Rangeview Stud sire Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) over his unraced mare Radiant Diva who is a half-sister to 9 winners topped by Our Joan Of Arc (G3 VRC Maribyrnong Plate).

Like Bohemian Diamond, Price offered her through the Ruby Racing & Breeding draft to the 2023 Perth Magic Millions and she was purchased for $85,000 by Morton on behalf of a Ladies Syndicate managed by his wife Carol.