This spring has been busier than usual at Westbury Park Stud with ten-year resident My Admiration being joined by former Great Southern stallion A Lot (USA).
Two books combined mirror their increased numbers in black-type races at Ascot this season. Admiration Express (My Admiration) didn’t fire in the LR Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) last weekend but A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot) can compensate in the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m) this Saturday.
Admiration Express was WA Champion 3YO Filly last season, however, she missed the kick and was never a factor first-up in a race dominated by front-running wild-card Marocchino. The grey mare was coming off an injury-enforced stretch and subsequently eased to $21 for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 25.
Trainer Jason Miller will bank on an automatic entry into the Railway Stakes if she wins the G3 R J Peters Stakes (1500m) a week before the Big Mile. “I’ve always had a lot of time for her and she’s in good order,” he said. “We’ve put plenty of groundwork into her but there’s improvement to come off that first-up run.”
Admiration Express was bred by My Admiration shareholder Alan Bansemer (Namerik Thoroughbreds) from Comme Ci (Verglas) who had already foaled the Stakes-performers Fred Dag (Patronize) and Janaura (Safeguard).
Meanwhile, trainer Trevor Andrews is counting on A Lot Of Good Men receiving a good run in transit to give him a third Fairetha Stakes (1400m) this Saturday. He was beaten a length and change when fifth in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) last time out and will be peaking at his third run back from a spell.
“A Lot Of Good Men has drawn nicely and 1400m is right up his alley,” Andrews said. “He’s ticking over nicely and galloped really good on Tuesday morning. He’s a true professional and will hopefully box-seat for Paul (Harvey) on Saturday.”
He was bred by Gray Williamson from Cosmah Domination (Oratorio) and is a younger half-brother to G3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) winner Bustler (Playing God). A Lot’s other city winners this season include Cocktail Party, Busters Free, Fast Flicker and the Andrews-trained Costazita who resumed to win a Belmont trial on Monday.
My Admiration weighed in with Special Sort who was winning his fourth race straight in the Westpeed Platinum Hcp (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday. Westbury Park’s Phil Ibbotson owns his dam Special Jewel (Testa Rossa) and sold him for $30,000 through the Western Breeders Alliance draft at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.
“Special Sort is taking his owners on dream ride!” Durrant Racing reported. “Now he’s a Saturday winner in town and just keeps ticking all the boxes this preparation.”
A Lot (Tapit) is standing for a $9,350 at Westbury Park and My Admiration (Encosta de Lago) is priced at $4,400. Both fees (inc GST).