Trainer Adam Durrant lost a filly of immense potential when Assetro fell in a tragic end to the 2019 WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot.

Assetro (Blackfriars) started a $3.90 favourite for the WA Oaks following a black-type placing in the LR Natasha Stakes (2200m).  She had been one of the State’s best 2yo fillies the previous season following a debut win on Perth Cup Day in 2018.

“She’s something special,” Durrant said after Assetro came from another postcode under Willie Pike for a repeat 2yo victory at Ascot.  “I’ve been waiting a long time for filly like this one.”

Her loss was a bitter pill to swallow but Durrant Racing unveiled another promising debutante at Northam last Thursday when Assetro’s three-quarter sister Black Ora was a consummate winner of the Avon Valley Toyota Maiden (1000m).

She tracked Lucky I Am (Universal Ruler) before ranging up and getting the better of the odds-on favourite with Pike content to ride her hands and heels through the line.

“We were eager to produce Black Ora to the races and it was definitely worth the wait,” Durrant said.  “She’s following in the early footsteps of Assetro and that was a very special win for some great owners.  She’s pulled up well and will go town for a midweek meeting at Ascot.”

Among the winning syndicate are members of the Rullo and Widdicombe families.  They also raced Assetro and their dam Ortessa who was 2yo winner at Ascot before finishing fourth to Motion Pictures (Oratorio) in the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) of 2010.

Black Ora represents the Playing God cross with Oratorio and that winning strike-rate is in the stratosphere at 84% led by Bustler (G1 Railway Stakes) and Ex Sport Man (G2 Karrakatta Plate).