The Trevor Andrews-trained Western Ace made an immediate impact at Ascot on Saturday with a hard-fought victory in the Virbac Westspeed Platinum Maiden (1400m).
Western Ace (3g I’m All The Talk – Consortium by Written Tycoon) went out a short-priced favourite with Willie Pike aboard following a never-nearer third on debut at Pinjarra last month. He was three-wide without cover and was still strong through the line to defeat You Can Call Me Al (Gingerbread Man) by over a length.
Andrews was more than happy to bank $68,000 in prizemoney and bonuses in the opening event on TBWA Platinum Day. “We support the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and you’re mad if you don’t buy a Westspeed incentive horse because you’re effectively racing for half the stake.
“He drew a sticky gate and Willie let him flow into the race. He’s a raw talent and that will give him confidence when we get him out over a mile and further.”
Bred and sold by Gervase Park owners Chris and Andrea Gales, Western Ace sold for $170,000 at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions. His dam Consortium (Written Tycoon) is half-sister to G1 SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) winner Precious Gem (Econsul) and she has a Splintex 2yo filly with Ash Maley and a Lightbaber colt on the ground at Belhus.
Western Ace is from the final crop sired by I’m All The Talk (Stratum) at Darling View Thoroughbreds in 2021 as was Talkanco who won the TBWA 2YO Of The Year Award for Woodbridge Thoroughbreds breeder Ian Riley on Saturday.
London’s Rascal was another first-time winner on TBWA Platinum Day when going all-the-way in the Baldivis Vets Westspeed Platinum Maiden (1200m).
The 3yo daughter of Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) skipped three lengths clear at the top of the straight and went to the line a convincing winner under Steve Parnham from the favourite Articole (Snippetson).
“We couldn’t be happier to see her score in style and she was aided by a gun ride by Steve,” trainer Ryan Hill said after also banking $68,000. “The writing was on the wall after her last outing when Rocky (Cheung) admitted he waited too long in front.”
Hill races the filly in partnership with his father Kevin who cheered her home all the way from England. “We bought her for $1,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale. It’s Dad’s favourite Sale and he keeps telling me you’re paying too much elsewhere, Boy.”
London’s Rascal (3f Gingerbread Man – Amillionite by War Chant) was bred by former NSW Thoroughbred Breeders President Geoff Grimmish and he has another WA link through his Snitzel speed-machine Splintex who stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds.
Amillionite is a Belmont-winning Yarradale-bred graduate and her half-sister Catapulted (Catbird) won a G2 QTC Cup. Their dam Siren Miss (Umatilla) is a sister to the dam of Ihtsahymn (G1 Kingston Town Classic).
Rock In Wonder brought up a double for Ryan Hill in the Milne Feeds Westspeed Platinum Cup (2100m). Ridden a treat by his partner Victoria Corver, the lightly-raced 6yo took over from front-runner Noahquintilly (Playing God) and ground out a gutsy win over Kisses From Kelly (Demerit).
“He’s tough and full credit to Victoria,” Hill said. “They were caught three and four wide up the hill but she didn’t panic. I saw this race on the program after his good second last start at Pinjarra and what a day to step up!”
Rock In Wonder (6g Awesome Rock – Hidden Wonder by Danzero) was bred and sold by Gold Front Thoroughbreds to Elva and Tony Van Merwyk for $77,500 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Gold Front owners Alan and Sue Olive purchased his dam Hidden Wonder (Danzero) for $285,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast. She won a LR Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford and the best of her five winners to date has been Said No One Ever (Deep Field) who claimed the 2023 Albany Cup (2100m).