Talented mare Macroy was good enough to break through in town on Wednesday despite not doing herself any favours in running.

A Narrogin maiden winner in November 2017, she won the Perth Racing Club Membership (1000m) first-up after an eight-month spell at Ascot. “She’s always shown quite a bit of ability but has been laying in all her life,” trainer Bruce Watkins said. “I was a bit worried when Kate (Witten) came to the outside but she rode her a treat.”

Macroy is by Taunton Vale sire Demerit and is a homebred for Bart and Kaye Venrooy from their Ascot winner Tri Ammo (Tribu). She foaled Mister Panon first-up and he was successful in 2yo company at Ascot and Belmont before relocating to Geraldton where he added another 9 wins shouldering up to 63kg.

He’s a son of former Taunton Vale sire Bearcat who relocated to NSW after a half-dozen books at Dardanup. Tri Ammo has a 2yo colt by Sessions and she foaled another colt from the first crop of Taunton Vale sire King’s Troop in September.

Witten was pleased to partner Macroy and thinks she’s promising with one proviso. “They went hard in front and we were able to slot in. She got to the front in the straight and then wanted to duck back towards the rails. She doesn’t make it easy.”

Demerit is getting among the winners this month and there could be more at Ascot’s Australia Day meeting on Saturday. Steve Wolfe has accepted with Captivated Point and Arrum Boy while Lancelin-based Double Digit will back-up after coming within a length of completing an Ascot hat-trick last weekend.

Captivated Point has won his last two at Albany. “It was a terrific win last time thanks to a flawless ride from Peter Hall,” Wolfe said. “We’ve always felt this fellow was a city-class sprinter.”

Taunton Vale has entered a full-brother to Double Digit and his Group 3 winning sister Agent Pippa for the Perth Magic Millions.  Catalogued as Lot 46, he’s the first of 14 Demerit yearlings to parade in the Swan Valley.

DEMERIT