Oratorio (Aus) sprinter Mississippian launched a brilliant burst from last at the furlong to win second-up for owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters at Belmont on Saturday.

Appreciating the hectic early speed, he powered past the tiring pace-setters to lead home an Oratorio quinella from Chasing Chaos.  “I was pleased to see those three in front going hard,” Peters said.  “It suited William (Pike) and he timed the finish perfectly.”

Mississippian (4g Oratorio – Mississippi Belle by Marooned) won a Bunbury maiden during his first campaign last summer and resumed after a six-month spell to win at Northam on September 3.

The gelding is bred in the purple being a younger half-brother to G1 Railway Stakes winner Elite Belle (Canny Lad).  Their dam Mississippi Belle had been served by Coolmore and Darley sires in the Hunter Valley before Peters sent her back to WA for a cover by Oratorio at Mungrup Stud.

Mississippi Belle had also foaled LR Pinjarra Cup winner Battle Emblem by Heytesbury Stud sire Second Empire earlier in her stud career.

“Obviously, Mississippian isn’t as good as them at this stage but he’s comes back very well from a spell,” Peters said.  “We will go ahead and keep stepping him up in grade and distance.”

Oratorio (Stravinsky) has dominated Perth’s juvenile ranks in recent years winning 5 of the last 6 WA 2YO sires’ premierships.  He stands at Mungrup Stud for an $11,000 (inc gst) fee.

Hoofnote:   Oratorio’s star three year-old Lucky Street is set to resume racing when Ascot re-opens on Saturday, October 17.  He was last seen streeting the G2 Karrakatta Plate field in March.

Trainer Trevor Andrews sent Lucky Street to Belmont on Monday morning for a trial and the colt cruised home untouched by Paul Harvey.  His Group 1 summer goal is the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 21.