Taunton Vale freshman Demerit opened his account at stud with speedy filly Puteri Jewel in the opening event on Perth Cup day.

Puteri Jewel (2f Demerit – Aqua Velva by Spectrum) went out a $14 outsider in the Westspeed 2YO Plate (1100m) despite winning a Belmont barrier trial and she defied that quote to score in a three-way photo-finish.

Connections of both placegetters – London Line (Blackfriars) and Kentucky Lass (War Chant) – protested unsuccessfully against the front-runner in a controversial postscript to the race.  They alleged interference when the winner crossed from an outside gate to lead.

Puteri Jewel is trained by Simon Miller and is a homebred for Steve and Darryl Litton of Hamlin Bay Thoroughbreds.  They sold her for $40,000 through the Taunton Vale draft at the 2014 Perth Magic Millions and stayed in the filly with Malaysian politician Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar.

“She a lovely filly but is only lightly-framed and doesn’t carry much condition,” stable spokesman Michael White said.  “She’s got a lovely attitude and a big engine and that helped her see out 1100 metres first-up.”

Geisel Park (as agent) will offer a full sister to Puteri Jewel as Lot 171 at the 2015 Perth Magic Millions next month.  Their dam Aqua Velva has also foaled G3 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic winner Hard Ball Get (Aussie Rules).

Demerit is the first son of Lonhro to stand in Western Australia.  Along with stablemate Denman, he was part of Lonhro’s second crop and hit the ground running when runner-up to Black Caviar on debut in the LR Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield.

Resuming as a spring three year-old, he won by four lengths at Cranbourne and then defeated Manhattan Rain and Starspangledbanner in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).

Taunton Vale owner Kent Johnston stands Demerit for a $5500 (inc gst) fee at Dardanup.

PUTRI JEWEL
Demerit filly wins on debut at Ascot
Photo / Western Racepix