Ridgeport Farm stallion Rommel notched his 200th win on Saturday courtesy of Magical Sequence who signed off her latest prep with a narrow victory as an odds-on favourite in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1400m) at Ascot.
Magical Sequence (4m Rommel – Jinsky Magic by Ihtiram) has been responsible for 5 of those 200 wins for her trainer Jason Miller and a syndicate managed by his wife Sarah. She raced midfield in traffic before Willie Pike stole a march in the straight to hold off late closer On Patrol (War Chant).
Apart from sending Rommel through the double-century, Magical Sequence also maintained a 50% strike-rate from 10 starts since a brow-band was fitted last year. “She delivered again with that trademark grit and acceleration when it mattered most under 59kg,” Miller said. “When the pressure came, she responded to finish an outstanding campaign in style.
“She will have a well-earned break now and we look forward to seeing her return later in the year.”
Rommel sired Magical Sequence from Ascot winner Jinsky Magic who is a perfect four-from-four at stud. She was bred by Mogumber Park as was Rommel’s last-start RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) winner Maria Lucia.
“She’s come a long way this prep and we settled in a fantastic position,” Pike reported. “I thought we were going to get beat lumping that weight today but she kept finding and toughed it out right through the line.”
Ridgeport Farm principal Santo Guagliardo opened Saturday’s Ascot card a winner with short-priced debutante Aurum Belle in the MCA Polytrack Plate (1000m). He had purchased the regally-bred filly for $725,000 at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Sale in partnership with Yarradale Stud owner Lyn Sayers.
Aurum Belle (2f Snitzel – Dame Giselle by I Am Invincible) is an exciting prospect and she led from the get-go to score by two lengths. “I’ve been in the game a long time and don’t get nervous but I was today when she started playing up while being saddled,” trainer Neville Parnham admitted. “But she was very professional once the gates opened.
“Santo spent a lot of money buying her and so far so good. I haven’t really revved her up yet but she’s just a natural. We will wait for the (G3) Gimcrack Stakes before making any definite plans for the (G2) Karrakatta Plate.”