3 minute read
THE TOP 7
1-ELITE STREET
What an elite and powerful horse. Back-to-back G3 wins in the Northam Stakes and Roma Cup respectively. Such a shame he wasn't able to show his talents in the east a year ago. Clearly the state's best sprinter and can't wait until the Ascot carnival rolls around later in the year when we can see him strut his stuff again. It will be a fascinating watch to the Winterbottom Stakes, is there an emerging horse that can threaten his sprinting superiority?
2-DAN MORTON
It's a cliché but the stable is just on a winning roll at the moment. The top end talent is secure with Elite Street, but the understudies go alright too. One of those is Top Of The Pops. What a perfect introduction to racing has this Spirit Of Boom two-year-old had. Three starts for three wins. He looked to have the task ahead of him when Miss Drakova shot clear, but if punters who took the short odds were worried their fears were quickly allayed when he came storming home under Chris Parnham to win by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths.
3-BRAD RAWILLER
It hasn't been an easy few weeks for the experienced hoop. He fell to the Covid curse which forced him to miss Elite Street's Northam Stakes victory. He has built up a wonderful relationship with the gelding since they successfully teamed up in the Winterbottom Stakes (2020). He's had six sits for five wins with the only defeat a third in last year's Winterbottom when the son of Street Boss suffered a bleeding attack. You sensed post-race this victory meant a lot for Rawiller who was close to tears when he thanked his family for their love and support.
4-MICHAEL GRANTHAM/PETERS
The fledgling partnership between Bob and Sandra Peters and young trainer Michael Grantham has made a bright start. Following the big win of Advanced at Northam on Thursday, WA Guineas placegetter, Devoted mimicked the performance when he sprinted sharply from midfield. The cerise and white colours have been idle in recent times, but you get the impression they are revving up for a winter assault.
5-GANGEMI'S
It's not a Roma Cup if the Gangemi's are not involved in some capacity. Co-trainers Chris and Michael have won it a couple of times with retired champion Rock Magic, who was back on familiar ground as part of the race's promotion and their grandfather Michael was instrumental in setting up the race in 1966. It took until the last race before they got on the board and even then, the win was delayed when Mercanto survived a protest from Cross Statement. As an aside, did anyone catch Brittany Taylor's interview with Michael Gangemi? What a ripper. The 99-year-old cuts an amazing picture of health and acuity for his age.
6-CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER
Clint Johnston-Porter was dynamite between races two and four when he booted home God Has Chosen, Devoted and Snippy Miss. He advances to 65 city winners, one behind William Pike and 15 astern of Chris Parnham in the jockey's premiership.
7-TODD HARVEY
Todd Harvey cut a forlorn figure when Mr Delegator faded to a distant last on his return, but that desolate feeling was soon gone when promising Maschino four-year-old No White Flag, who went into the race without a trial, kicked strongly when challenged to lead from barrier to post. It made the long trip from Liverpool for a bunch of his owners all the more enjoyable.
