Patience has been the key to Tactics and the Rommel 3yo is our second Winner Of The Week in a row to show the benefit of persistence at Ascot.

Tactics greeted the judge at start No.8 which was marginally better than Earthstorm (Calyx) who took 9 starts to break her duck last week.  She was ridden by Steve Parnham and brother Brad partnered Tactics to a front-running victory in the Own The Dream Maiden (1400m).

Saturday’s win was also rewarding result for their parents Neville and Carol.  They banked a significant slice of the $50k purse just past 9.30 on Saturday morning with core clients Mike Fagan, Paul Cooke, Bob Pearson and Santo Guagliardo who bred him and kept a share.

The early start to Westspeed Platinum Day came after stewards implemented Perth Racing’s hot-weather policy.  “It’s a good move instead of racing during the hottest time of the day,” Neville said.  “We’re holding a meeting, there’s prizemoney to be won and punters can have a bet.

“I have a nice opinion of Tactics and this could be the turning point for him.  Bringing the blinkers back fired him up.  Brad was aggressive getting to the front and they never looked like getting beaten.”

Guagliardo bred Tactics using his Ridgeport Farm sire stallion Rommel (Commands) over York maiden winner Delectable Dolly.  The bottom line goes back to Victorian-trained Dance The Day Away (Seattle Dancer) who was partnered by Damien Oliver to win the G1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Ascot in 1992.

Sporting the Ridgeport Holdings ‘RH’ brand, Tactics had been placed twice in Ascot juveniles before finishing midfield behind stablemate Bustler (Playing God) in the G3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) in May.  He weighed in at all three starts since resuming in October and a change of tactics made all the different when he was allowed to dominate in front for the first time.

Tactics had the field off the bit turning for home and he maintained a three-length margin through the line from the favourite Northern Diamond (Bondi) and Gaspardo (Maschino).  “He was a bit lazy last time and I came here today thinking he could win,” Brad said.  “I pressed on from the sticky gate and kept working on him.  He has a tendency to switch off so I had to keep his mind on the job.”