Course broadcaster Darren McAullay summed up the latest Ascot win by He or She with a succinct turn of phrase at the furlong; “He’s letting down with a magnificent turn of foot – look at him accelerate away – he put four lengths on them before they could blink.”
He or She has been billed one of the most promising horses in Perth and trainer Vaughn Sigley agrees – with a proviso. “We will go through the grades for the time being,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re back here for the Railway Stakes next year.”
Sigley has to play the diplomat when making predictions with He or She. His Lark Hill stables are also home to a couple of other 2015 Railway Stakes candidates in Black Heart Bart and Rohan.
He Or She (5g Kendel Star – Danessa by West Point) had to be bustled before getting mobile in the Giving Shape To Ideas Hcp (1500m) last Saturday. “Chris (Parnham) had to use the stick. This horse can be a bit lazy but I knew he was home turning the corner.”
A son of Rivercrest Park stallion Kendel Star, he is from Victorian bred mare Danessa who failed to run a drum in five starts around the south-west provincials.
Sigley campaigns him in partnership with Redwood Park owners Alan and Birgitt McAlister who also race Group 1 winning mare Magnifisio. Their latest star earned his name after being mistakenly identified as a filly shortly after being born at the couple’s Serpentine property.
The McAlisters will be back at Ascot this Saturday to watch Magnifisio attempt a winning hat-trick in the G3 Scahill Stakes (1400m). The Magnus mare is coming off feature victories in the G2 Lee-Steere Stakes and G1 Winterbottom Stakes.
Sigley has brilliant last-start winner Black Heart Bart nominated for the G2 C B Cox Stakes (2100m) on December 20. The Blackfriars gelding came from an impossible position for a consolation victory in the LR Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) on Super Saturday after being balloted from this year’s Railway.
And 2012 WATC Derby winner Rohan, another son of Blackfriars, is on the comeback trail. “Don’t forget Rohan if he stands up,” Sigley said. “He’s pretty special.”