Winner: Motion Pictures (Oratorio-Zabore Loch)
Race: WATC Karrakatta Plate G2 (1200m)
Passed for: $48,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Toreby Park (As Agent)
Reserve: $60,000
Earnings: $426,000
Owner(s): Northern Thoroughbred Syndicate (Mgr: D Hammarquist)
Trainer: Dave Casey (Ascot)
The locals took the spoils in yesterday’s $500,000 Group Two Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot when star filly Motion Pictures rattled home to beat the favourite Miss Gai Flyer.
Sent out at $3.70 the Peter Moody trained Miss Gai Flyer was being hailed the winner when she skipped clear in the straight, but in a great display of tenacity the Oratorio filly Motion Pictures reeled her in to win by a neck.
The performance completed a remarkable double for the Australian bred Oratorio – meaning with two racing crops racing – he’s won the past two Karrakatta Plates.
Motion Pictures is the latest star for the Mungrup Stud based son of Stravinsky – a sire who’s taking WA by storm.
A former winner of the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic, Oratorio has already produced the outstanding young prospects Clueless Angel, Gold Rocks, Waratah’s Secret and now Motion Pictures – all group winners.
Oratorio’s latest star gave renowned horseman Dave Casey his biggest win – amongst hundreds he’s achieved particularly throughout the far north of WA.
“It wasn’t that long ago and I was getting a trophy in Kununurra so to be here is a big difference.”
“I’m speechless!”
“A perfect ride,” Casey said. “We left it all up to Troy – but boy what can I say.”
“Everyone wrote her off – but last week she gave them a nine length head start and was beaten a length and a quarter.”
Casey is a massive fan of the stock of Oratorio and told everyone he knew early on that he was the state’s best sire prospect for many years.
“I had a couple of Oratorio yearlings early on and I told anyone with a broodmare that he was the stallion to go to.”
“So to win with one today is just sensational.”
Winning owner Don Hammarquist is a regular in the winner’s stall around the state, but the Karrakatta success is by far his biggest success in racing.
“We identified her early on to be pretty special,” Hammarquist said. “And even before this she had proven to be a fair two-year-old.”
“This is my first genuine two-year-old and we’ve come to the top in WA – I’m over the moon.”
Hammarquist said he was happy with the way the race unfolded and praised Troy Turner for a copybook ride.
“I loved the position she was in. I was a bit worried when the leader kicked away.”
“But it was a real gutsy effort to grind away and wear it down.”
Jockey Troy Turner was quietly confident leading into the race and he gave her a perfect ride throughout the state’s premier juvenile contest.
“I was really happy with the barrier draw today and I knew she would be hard to beat after that.”
“Dave’s done a good job to train her on from her (virus) mishap, so I’m really happy.”
The win was the second in the Karrakatta Plate for Turner – he won the race aboard Daney Boy in 1995.
“That was a big thrill then – but this tops it!”
Motion Pictures is one of three winners, from three runners, for the city performed Marooned mare Zabore Loch.
Zabore Loch is a daughter of the Zabeel mare Zabori – making her a half sister to the stakes performers Freeroller and Limani.
Further back in the family are Australian Group One winners Strawberry Fair and Barkada and South African stars Taineberry and Jalberry.
As it stands Motion Pictures has raced on six occasions for four wins and two minor placings (both in stakes company) and her earnings sit at $426,000 – not bad for a filly who could have been yours for just $60,000.
Fans of Oratorio will be looking forward to the 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale when the cream of his crop goes under the hammer.
