Is Blackfriars filly Assetro the best 2yo seen out in Perth this season?

That was a talking point at Ascot on Saturday after her astounding victory in the TABTouch Plate (1100m).  She was in another time-zone at the top of the straight before reeling in Emerald Rose (Patronize) to win by a long-head.

Trainer Adam Durrant was momentarily lost for words after watching her paralysing burst but quickly regained his composure during a post-race interview. “She had no business winning from back there,” he said.  “She’s something special…I’ve been waiting a long time for filly like this one.”

Assetro had won on debut at Ascot on New Year’s Day prior to an odds-on loss last month.  “That was frustrating but she’s made amends today.  I don’t want to do too much with her this season even though she’s a natural.  I can see her in Melbourne in 6 to 12 months!

“We will run her in the Karrakatta Plate or WA Sires’ Produce Stakes or both,” Durrant predicted.  “I’m not convinced she’s a stayer although she should get out to 2000m.”

Assetro (2f Blackfriars – Ortessa by Oratorio) is owned in partnership by the Rullo and Widdicombe families and they also raced her dam for two wins at Ascot and a fourth placing in the 2010 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes when it was staged at Belmont.

“She was a long way out of her ground and I thought we had too much to do at the furlong,” champion jockey Willie Pike admitted.  “But she wants to win and really attacked the line.”

Assetro launched a successful afternoon for Scenic Lodge sires on Saturday.  Blackfriars completed a hat-trick with further wins by Nelson’s Flight and Blackline while Universal Ruler chimed in with Snow Lord.

Durrant paid $100,000 for the Snippetson half-brother to Assetro when he was offered by Scenic Lodge at last month’s Perth Magic Millions.  Ortessa lost a Blackfriars foal last season and she was bred back to Blackfriars in November.

ASSETRO