Justine Erkelens might be basking in the reflected glory of her classic filly Machine Gun Gracie but she’s still grounded preparing midweek winners like Uukhai who is on a hat-trick this month.

Uukhai (4g Snippetson – War Blossom by War Chant) won a Pinjarra 3yo maiden during his second racing prep last June but took another 10 starts to double up with on-pace victories at Ascot (April 2) and Pinjarra (April 16).

He defeated Date Withthe Devil (Playing God) by over a length at Pinjarra last week and Erkelens has nominated him for Ascot next Wednesday, April 30 and Pinjarra next Thursday, May 1.  “He has been hard work and has taken a while to put it together,” Erkelens said.  “He would find trouble in running which was frustrating but that changed when we decided to change tack and race him on the speed.

“We booked Brandon (Louis) for the first time at Ascot and I told him to ride for luck.  That worked well and then Brandon sent him to the front and they didn’t look back at Pinjarra.  It was a 10 out of 10 ride.”

Uukhai was bred and sold by Yarradale Stud for $20,000 to bloodstock agent John Chalmers at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.  Chalmers kept a share with Justine, Rick Hart, Michael Biggs and Vince Terribile.

His dam War Blossom was a Northam maiden winner in Yarradale colours and Uukhai is the third winner from her first three foals following Big Cities (City Place) and Native Flower (Gingerbread Man).

War Blossom was subsequently sold to Williams-based breeder Warren Cowcher and her latest foals are a yearling filly and weanling colt by Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man.  There are 12 black-type performers under her second-dam Cherry Garden (Sir Tristram) led by G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner Inference (So You Think).

“Thanks to Troy Turner for doing all the hard work educating Uukhai from Day 1,” Louis revealed.  “I was just in the right place at the right time to take over.  He can be a funny animal but travels good and gives you confidence and the feeling that he will win.”

As for Machine Gun Gracie (Maschino), she’s still at home with Erkelens in Muchea following an awesome autumn campaign.  “It was huge winning the (G3) WA Oaks and (G2) WA Derby.  She’s just letting down here for a couple of weeks before going out to a nice, green paddock.

“She’s still learning and will come back as a 4yo mare for the (G1) Northerly Stakes in December.  Then we can make plans for a campaign in the Eastern States.”