Fangio An Ascot Favourite For Rogers
Roy Rogers will saddle up a large representation of horses at Ascot including in two feature races, but he has high hopes that Fangio will be the pick of his runners on Saturday.
The Albany-based horseman is enjoying the best stretch of his professional career, training 43 winners this season to exceed his previous best tally of 34 wins in 2018-19.
Mirroring Roger’s form is Fangio, a lightly raced five-year-old mare who has come into her own and improved with a string of wins in just her second campaign of racing.
A three and a quarter length victory in the Pelicans Ladies Bracelet (1600m) in Albany capped a string of four straight races for Fangio before Roy Rogers took her to Perth and her first look at Ascot.
Her winning sequence came unstuck, but she was far from disgraced when second to Trump This, peaking on her run with 50m remaining after racing wide throughout.
Fangio and stable mate Zetorio will give Rogers a two-pronged attack in the Commit To Change Handicap (1600m).
Fangio has drawn barrier ten for Chris Parnham. Jason Whiting and Zetorio combine from gate two.
“I’m not worried by Fangio’s draw,” Rogers told The Races WA.
“She won’t get blocked with an inside run.
She ran wide last start and was only just beaten.
“It took Trump This with a 7kg pull in the weights to beat her.
“She is not the best track worker at home, but this week was her best work ever.
“She’s thriving and will be right there.
“The faster they go the better for Zetorio.”
Hoi An and Heavenly Waters can help Rogers add a second Listed race to his resume in the Furphy-Gimcrack Stakes (1100m).
Hoi An has earned a cheque each time she has gone around with one Bunbury win and two placings from her three appearances.
Her previous start from a wide barrier in the Supremacy Stakes was full of merit when she attacked the line strongly for third after coming from the back half of the field.
Rogers hopes the Longma filly can hold a prominent position from barrier one. Shaun O’Donnell retains the ride.
“I have a lot of time for her and she is maintaining her form,” Rogers said.
“I hope she can box seat from the barrier.
“She needs pace in the race, but I can’t fault her.”
Heavenly Waters won the Crystal Slipper on debut last November and ran second in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m).
Her stocks took a fall last time out in the Supremacy Stakes when she ran 10th and returned with cardiac arrhythmia.
Drawn in barrier ten for Lucy Warwick, the Headwater filly won a warm up trial at Mount Barker.
“The wide draw doesn’t worry me, she doesn’t like to get crowded or bumped,” Rogers said.
“She got a bit stirred up before the Supremacy.
“She’ll wear pre-race earmuffs to keep her relaxed.”
Luke’s Gold is a $9 hope in the Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m) after a bold run in the Listed Bunbury Stakes (1400m).
The consistent eight-year-old ran third to Western Temple and toughed it out strongly after racing wide without cover.
“He is going super and hasn’t missed a beat,” Rogers said.
“His work has been very good.
“He has to be a light-weight chance.”
Luke’s Gold will jump from barrier 9. Christopher Nicoll keeps the ride.