Latoria completed a meteoric rise up the ranks with an on-pace victory in the LR Summer Scorcher at Ascot on Perth Cup day.

Latoria (5m Oratorio – Laventour by Metal Storm) has won 7 of her last 9 starts after breaking through at Pinjarra in May.  She scored by a neck from Werd (Hussonet) after a two-horse war down the straight.

“She’s a fighter,” trainer Jim Taylor said.  “They were running into a strong headwind so it was credit to her because Werd never gives up.”

Taylor rates the Oratorio (Aus) mare the second fastest horse in his stable behind boom sprinter Barakey.  The Bullsbrook trainer also prepared Hay List before his transfer to NSW.

Latoria has earned over $206,000 for owner-breeder Des De Largie and she will stay in training for the LR Cyril Flower Stakes on February 25.  Her dam Laventour is from a half-sister to Track Jester (Tenby) who won 8 races for De Largie including a G3 Asian Beau Stakes.

Laventour has a yearling colt by Oratorio and a filly foal by Holy Roman Emperor.  The mare was bred back to Vinery shuttler Congrats.

Oratorio (Stravinsky) stands at Mungrup Stud for a $27,500 (inc gst) fee.  He has a mammoth draft of 42 yearlings catalogued for the 2012 Perth Magic Millions.