Winner: Impressive Jeuney (Jeune-Rego’s Girl)
Race: WATC Natasha Stakes LR (2200m)
Sold for: $27,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Newhaven Park
Buyer: Impressive Racing
Earnings: $289,700
Owner(s): Impressive Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: KS Berry), Sungame Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: D Sapina), BE Kay, Dr BE Kay, CA Bibra, TL Gilfillan & JA Gilfillan
Trainer: Darren McAuliffe (Ascot)

Impressive Jeuney showed she was on track for the WA Oaks with a dominant on speed win in today’s listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot.

Sent to the front early by Shaun McGruddy, the daughter of Jeune was able to hold that position throughout before skipping clear of her rivals on straightening.

Impressive Jeuney ($3.80) cruised home to beat Tropical Fury ($12) by a length and three quarters.

A further two lengths back in third place was Significant ($8).

Trainer Darren McAuliffe was delighted with the performance and said he was very much looking forward to the Oaks in a fortnight.

“That’s the way to ride her,” he said. “Roll along in front and use her stamina.”

“She’s very hard to get past.”

“She’s been just looking for ground. It’s been a muddling sort of preparation for her.”

“But she put the writing on the wall today and she’ll be very hard to beat in the Oaks.”

The Group Three $250,000 WA Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ascot in two weeks (April 17).

Impressive Jeuney, by Melbourne Cup winner Jeune, was purchased by McAuliffe for just $27,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

The exciting filly had already won two listed events prior to today at stakes level – the WATC St Leger and La Trice Classic.

She is the only runner to date for her dam, the winning Rory’s Jester mare Rego’s Girl.

Successful over 1400 metres during a short career, Rego’s Girl is a daughter of the Belmont Guineas and Oaks winner Key Target.

Hers is also the family of the WA based stakes winners Stray Bullet, Glory Hunter and Dangervorn.

In a fortnight’s time there could well be an Oaks winner in the family.

Winner: Riosand (Fusaichi Pegasus-Lackadaisical)
Race: WATC Perth Stakes LR (1100m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Coolmore Stud as agent
Buyer: Beh Chin Pheng
Earnings: $61,950
Owner(s): CP Beh
Trainer: Joe Byrne (Ascot)

Riosand burst into contention for the Karrakatta Plate with an impressive win in the listed Perth Stakes (1100m) at Ascot this afternoon.

Prepared by renowned horseman Joe Byrne, Riosand tracked the leaders before bursting to the lead in the straight and establishing a winning break.

Debutant runner Big Josh, a $5.50 chance, flew home under William Pike to make the finish interesting – but in the end Riosand ($3 fav) still held a long neck margin.

The Pupster ($17) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third place.

Byrne, who prepares the Fusaichi Pegasus gelding for his good friend and major Malaysian owner Mr Beh Chin Pheng, is looking forward to testing him in better grade.

He said Perth’s premier juvenile race – the Group Two Karrakatta Plate – would be his next run.

Byrne said he was pretty confident throughout the race – but said the finish got a little tighter than he thought he might.

“He looked the winner a long way from home and I think Troy thought that as well,” Byrne commented.

“But we got a bit of a fright.”

Connections have always held a good opinion of Riosand – who is yet to taste defeat in either races or trials.

“He’s a lovely horse and he’s come back here and he’s not even blowing,” Byrne pointed out.

Winning rider Troy Turner said Riosand had a good run throughout the race and he liked how he accelerated to the front at the top of the straight.

The $500,000 Group Two Karrakatta Plate (1200m) will be run at Ascot in a fortnight – on April 17.

Riosand was purchased by connections for $100,000 from last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud.

He is one of six winners from his dam – the winning and Melbourne placed Star Pyramul mare Lackadaisical.

That makes him a half brother to the listed City of Eira Cup winner Napping – a three time winner and now proven city producer.

Riosand is the 47th individual stakes winner for his sire – the Kentucky Derby Mr. Prospector horse Fusaichi Pegasus.

Proven in both hemispheres, the star Coolmore Stud sire has tasted stakes success in Perth prior to Riosand with Morant and Yuro.