Loloma Farms and Dion Luciani celebrated another victory in the Initial Plate (1000m) when Pot Shot claimed the first 2yo race of the season at Ascot on Saturday.

They won it with Bumper Humper (Alfred Nobel) in 2019 and Pot Shot put this year’s edition to bed when she pounced on the leaders coming off the home turn.  Willie Pike kept her mind on the job to safely hold Kosta’s Crown (Supido) and Cosmopolitan Girl (Safeguard).

Luciani also trained the 2018 Initial Plate winner Amarillo Rose (Slater).

“She won two trials and we’ve used that system with success,” stable foreman Ian Glading said.  “She got lost on corner but Willie sorted that out and she never really looked like getting beaten.”

Pot Shot is a homebred for Loloma Farms owner Kelly Everett and is from the final crop of former Taunton Vale stallion Demerit (Lonhro).  She’s a half-sister to Ascot winner Slick Mover (He’s A Decoy) and their dam On Ze Move (Love A Dane) is a close relation of WA Oaks winners Hasty Departure and India’s Dream.

Pike rode the winner on one rein until she flattened out in the straight.  “She did a lot wrong and there’s a few kinks to iron out.  They went quick with a tailwind and she was hanging out for the majority of the race.  Then she saw the straight and realised what she had to do.  It was all good from then on.”

DEMERIT