The summer heatwave meant Ascot’s weekend meeting was postponed twice but the wait was worth it for Mungrup Stud.

Mungrup graduate Silver Trace scored a blistering debut win in Race 1 on Monday and then Dueton delivered another black-type victory for the industry leader in Race 5.

SILVER TRACE (2f Due Sasso – Wild Storm by Metal Storm) crossed from a wide gate in the Westspeed Plate (1000m) and then accelerated in the straight to put four lengths on her rivals.  Like everyone else on course at Ascot, trainer Bob McPherson was very impressed with the win and will set her for the $250,000 Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic on February 15.

“I went down to Mungrup before last year’s Magic Millions Sale and really liked her,” McPherson recalled.  “I had already bought two yearlings before she paraded and had no money left.  Luckily, she was passed in and I got her later on for $15,000.

“She had being going super at the trials and I was pretty confident.  I will take her down to the beach and she will have a lead-up run a fortnight before the Magic Millions.”

DUETON (4g Due Sasso – Californium by Geiger Counter) logged his first Listed victory in the Scenic Blast Stakes (1100m) on Monday.  He had warmed up for the black-type breakthrough with placings behind Magnifisio in the Summer Scorcher and Crawford Quality.

Despite being caught wide without cover, Dueton knuckled down to defeat Excelorada by a nose.  “He’s been knocking on the door,” trainer Eric Wake said after the narrow victory.  “He’s settling a lot better and I might try him over a bit more distance in the Miss Andretti Stakes on Saturday week.”

Dueton made $23,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions and has now won 7 times in 22 starts for earnings of $320,000.

Mt Barker’s signature Mungrup Stud Sprint is scheduled for this Sunday, January 19.  Worth $90,000, it headlines the ‘Grapes & Gallops’ meeting that also features Wine, Gourmet Food and Music.

Among the main chances are the Mungrup bred gallopers Rouge Dior (Stormy’s Son), a Listed winner of the Jungle Mist Classic at her penultimate start and Comfysofa (Comfy) who won 4 times in 7 starts at Ascot last year.

Mungrup Stud has entered 41 yearlings for the Perth Magic Millions in February including a Danehill Express – Matilda’s Song colt catalogued as Lot 107.  His dam is a sister to G1 Railway Stakes winner Old Fashion and a half-sister to the dam of Comfysofa.

DANEHILL EXPRESS – MATILDA’S SONG COLT