Paul Harvey made the best possible return to the saddle after suspension with a surprise win aboard Eight Till Late in Saturday’s Group Three Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Harvey, a regular at the top of Perth’s riding ranks over the past decade, had been on the sidelines after a 21 day suspension but made a triumphant return, winning a group race at his only ride at the meeting.
Sent out at $41 with bookmakers, Eight Till Late looked to have little hope when she stumbled out of the barriers lengths behind her rivals and stayed at the back of the field until straightening.
But the daughter of Lonhro then produced an incredible turn of foot and under the urgings of Harvey she thundered home to win brilliantly.
The performance, while shocking many punters, didn’t really surprise her trainer Shane Edwards – who predicted a big run, knowing his charge was blessed with above average ability.
“We got a bit of a hampered run at Northam,” Edwards said of the filly who was beaten in maiden company at her previous start.
“She’s shown me a lot of ability.”
“I actually bought this filly as a weanling when I bought Single Spice for Peter Bell – so it was nice to get up and roll him,” he added with a laugh.
“She’s a beautiful filly. She’s a mile and a half horse. We’d basically gone the six weeks between runs – so credit to all the staff at home and a great ride from the Pontiff.”
“She was climbing over the top of them coming to the corner. She just needed clear running and I thought she could pick them up,” he added.
Eight Till Late ($41) finished with a wing on every hoof to reel in the last start stakes winner Red Hot Sax ($7) to win by a long head.
Second favourite Almachino ($5) was third home, a further neck back, while the favourite Dark Miss ($3.60) was fourth home, back toward the rail.
Eight Till Late was spotted by Edwards at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale and he went to $45,000 for the filly who was signed up by leading bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy.
She was offered at the Gold Coast based auction by Glastonbury Farm.
Eight Till Late is the 32nd stakes winner for champion Darley sire Lonhro.
She is the first winner for her dame, the unraced, but well related Redoute’s Choice mare Future Choice.
Future Choice is a half sister to stakes winners Suavity and Akarana – the latter better known these days as the dam of Singapore star Always Certain.
A half brother to Always Certain by regally related sire Musket will go under the hammer at March’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Winner: Eight Till Late
Breeding: Lonhro-Future Choice (Redoute’s Choice)
Race: WATC Champion Fillies Stakes G3 (1600m)
Sold for: $45,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Glastonbury Farm (As Agent)
Buyer: Belmont Bloodstock Agency
Earnings: $132,280
Owner(s): Ferrari Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd (Mgr: IK Loxton) & Mr WF Tang
Trainer: Shane Edwards (Ascot)
