Red Hot Sax gave her future broodmare value a boost when she scored a thrilling win in a competitive edition of the listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Sent out a $9 chance with bookmakers, Red Hot Sax made it four wins from seven runs when she got home first, giving Shaun O’Donnell wins in both stakes races on the Perth card.
O’Donnell rode the David Harrison trained filly to perfection and under his urgings she hit the line a long head in advance of the $3.60 favourite Dark Miss.
In a busy finish the judge couldn’t split three runners for third place – Almachino ($4.80), Mendicity ($9) and Voices of Spring ($20) completing a rare triple dead heat for the minor placing – they were just a head behind the runner-up.
The race was such a close and competitive event that the ninth placegetter, recent winner Pure Heaven, was beaten just three quarters of a length after leading to the final furlong.
Red Hot Sax, a bargain $11,000 purchase by David Harrison at last year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, is a gutsy filly according to her trainer.
“She’s a good tough filly,” Harrison said. “She’s as narrow as an arrow – there’s not much to her, but she’s as tough as old boots.”
“Obviously she’ll get better with age. Next year you’ll see a better horse again because she’s very skinny and I just can’t keep the condition on her.”
Harrison, who part owns the filly, said everything went to plan during the race and the result was welcomed by a joyous team of owners.
“She got a great run. Shaun rode her perfectly. They flew the gates as we expected and a few wide crossed and she landed fifth – he got off the fence and a run – it turned out perfect.”
Red Hot Sax, the first stakes winner for Danehill’s Queensland Guineas winning son Saxon, is from the stakes performed Chanteclair mare Lonicera.
A four time sprint race winner, Lonicera earned black type when second in the Burgess Queen Stakes – the same race won on Saturday by her classy daughter.
Lonicera is a daughter of the Adelaide stakes placed juvenile Jungle Vine (Jungle Boy) and is therefore a full sister to the Karrakatta Plate winner Climb the Vine.
The latest yearling from Lonicera, a bay filly by Maribyrnong Plate winner Husson Lightning, is being prepared by the Heytesbury Stud team for February’s 2012 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Winner: Red Hot Sax
Breeding: Saxon-Lonicera (Chanteclair)
Race: WATC Burgess Queen Stakes LR (1400m)
Sold for: $11,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Heytesbury Thoroughbreds
Buyer: David Harrison
Earnings: $161,000
Owner(s): DR Harrison, Mrs JB Harrison, Mrs ML Donovan, GR Donovan, BJ Bell, KE Holly, Mrs HI Ferguson, NW Shaw, GM Neil & DP Deen
Trainer: David Harrison (Serpentine)
