Port Kennedy owner-trainer Summer Dickson was over the moon on Saturday when Prince Of Santos gave jockey Austin Galati his first city win in the Petaluma Hcp (1500m) at Ascot.
Prince Of Santos (4g Santos – Princess Aubrey by Danewin) started a $3 favourite off a first-up victory at Pinjarra last month and is now on a hat-trick after it looked like his career was over before it even started.
“I’m so proud of this horse and the jockey,” Dickson said. “You shouldn’t have favourites but he is my favourite. I got him as a weanling after he broke a sesamoid and he was never supposed to race. It’s been a long process and now here we are winning a Saturday race at Ascot.”
Prince Of Santos carted the field up to tearaway leaders Chino La Diva (Maschino) and Boab Boy (Sessions) and had plenty in reserve running right through the line to score more than two lengths from Bleecker Street (Manhattan Rain).
“We had a feeling they would roll along today,” Dickson added. “I didn’t give Austen any explicit instructions and he gave the horse every chance.”
Galati knocked back a good book for Josh Brown in Esperance to stay in town for two rides. “It’s great to get one over the line in the city and I think this one can keep going on with it,” Galati admitted. “Josh has been loyal but I couldn’t miss this chance and had to make the most of the opportunity.”
Prince Of Santos isn’t unlike his city-winning older half-sister and stablemate Papavero Princess (Sessions). She won a Pinjarra maiden as a summer 4yo this time last year then doubled up at Ascot before returning this season for a Pinjarra – Ascot – Pinjarra hat-trick culminating in the Mandurah Cup (1600m) on December 28.
They’re the first two foals bred by Mt Hallowell Stud owner Craig Thompson from Princess Aubrey who is an unraced three-quarter sister to international racemare Elegant Fashion (Danewin). She was a Group 2 winner at Flemington, Caulfield & Moonee Valley before transferring off-shore to claim the G1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in 2003.
A Noverre – Princess Aubrey colt (Lot 539) has been entered for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney next Monday, 10 February. The mare was sold to Dr Gene Tsoi in 2022 and her latest foal is a colt on the ground by Ace High (High Chaparral).
Mt Hallowell Stud has enjoyed a winning run leading up to its Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale consignment of a Gold Standard colt (Lot 48) and filly (Lot 90) plus a Brave Smash (Jpn) filly (Lot 147) on Day 1 in the Swan Valley.
Saulok (Santos) carried Thompson’s Gold and Purple silks to victory at Albany on Friday and was the last of four winners on the card for Steve Wolfe. “It ended a wonderful day with an impressive victory,” Wolfe said. “He was rated perfectly out in front by Holly (Watson) and was able to kick clear winning by almost three lengths.”
Funchal (Playing God) also sported those colours to a debut win in the Swan Draught Maiden (1400m) at Ascot in December. ‘She was given a sweet ride by Clint Johnston-Porter,” trainers Grant & Alana Williams said. “He guided her across the line in a fantastic confidence boosting run for the filly going forward.”
Funchal returns to action at Ascot this Wednesday, 5 February at Ascot.