Willaview Park homebred Aberdeen Flyer is a firming $3.70 second favourite for the G2 WA Derby (2400m) on April 11 as bookmakers react to his dynamic victory in the LR John Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Aberdeen Flyer tracked into the classic trial on the back of Sentimental Legend (Brutal) before responding in the straight to break through after placings in the LR Challenge Stakes (1500m) and LR Lex Piper Stakes (1600m).

“He’s exciting and has won his maiden on the big stage,” co-trainer Jake Casey said.  “He’s still raw and the owners have a real good horse on their hands.  We will have a crack at the (LR) Melvista Stakes now and see how he handles 2200m.”

Aberdeen Flyer is by former Darley stallion Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) and is the first foal from Darley’s Canterbury 1900m winner Templates (Teofilo) who transferred to WA after making $3,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

Templates was carrying Aberdeen Flyer and Willaview owners Col Hunter and Claire Williamson retained him for a syndicate that includes Claire’s mother Jan.  They sold the mare’s yearling colt by Splintex to Wally Daly for $200,000 at last month’s Perth Magic Millions.

“He settled nicely with blinkers and was jogging on the corner,” Chris Parnham reported after bringing Aberdeen Flyer back to scale.  “He still doesn’t know how to put them away but is getting better each time he gets to the races which is a positive sign.”

Parnham also won the fillies dress-rehearsal for the G3 WA Oaks (2400m) on March 28 aboard Masmelo in the LR Natasha Stakes (2200m) on Saturday.  The Maschino filly is trained by his father Neville for a partnership that includes her breeders Doris and David Keens.

They will be hoping Masmelo repeats Maschino filly Machine Gun Gracie who swept the Ascot 3yo classics in 2025 after winning the LR Natasha Stakes (2200m).  “She’s been trending the right way this prep and stepping up in distance suited her today,” Parnham explained.  “The WA Oaks probably won’t be a big field and if I can cuddle her at some stage she’s good enough to win.”

Masmelo is the 11th individual black-type winner by Alwyn Park sire Maschino and her dam Melteme (Blackfriars) goes back to Group 1 winners Referral (Dr Grace), Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge) and Singing The Blues (Bluebird).

Saturday’s result also saw Maschino join Playing God at the top of this season’s WA Sires’ black-type table with four winners each.