Crystal clear challenge for WA Oaks

Blackfriars filly Crystal Gardens can secure a third fillies’ classic in as many seasons for her sire in the 2014 WA Oaks.
The Adam Durrant trained filly is emerging as the next star on the horizon for the Scenic Lodge champion.
Crystal Gardens (3f Blackfriars – Danni’s Crystal by Johann Quatz) powered home to win the Westspeed Hcp (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday. Still in her first preparation, she had won a Bunbury maiden on debut in December.
“She’s heading in the right direction,” Durrant said. “And I wouldn’t swap her for anything else heading towards the Oaks.”
The $250,000 WA Oaks at Group 3 level is scheduled for March 29. Blackfriars sired Pop Culture to win the G3 WA Oaks in 2012 and the Durrant-trainer Summah’s Touch in the LR Belmont Oaks in 2013.
Crystal Gardens is raced by Scenic Lodge owner David Smith and Durrant’s father Geoff. She is the third foal of Danni’s Crystal who was placed in Honor Lap’s 2002 WA Oaks. The mare missed to Blackfriars for two years running but was first in the queue last September and was stopped after one cover.
Blackfriars (Danehill) has 32 yearlings catalogued for the Perth Magic Millions next month. The Scenic Lodge draft includes a half-sister to Karuta Queen (Lot 28), three-quarter brother to Eclair Surprise (Lot 59), three-quarter brother to Playing God and God Has Spoken (Lot 77), first foal from LR Matchmaker Classic winner Scenic Fair (Lot 162) and a sister to LR T J Smith Trophy winner Dominicano (Lot 211). (Pictured Lot 28)

Scenic Blast Stakes

Monday the 13th of January saw former Australian Racehorse of the year and 3 time Group 1 winner Scenic Blast lead out the field in the inaugural Scenic Blast Stakes.
SCENIC BLAST the explosive West Australian sprint sensation who beat the best speedsters in Australia and Europe, was named the 2009 Australian Racehorse of the Year
Scenic Blast now retired ( Scenic-Daughter’s Charm) was bred by Durham Lodge/Scenic Lodge at Muchea in Western Australia.
The race was won by Dueton in an exciting photo finish over Excelorada.

Photos courtesy of Sharyn Walker.

Perth Cup benefit for Blackfriars

Black Tycoon turned the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) into a benefit for champion sire Blackfriars at Ascot on New Year’s Day.

The Scenic Lodge champion sired three of the first four home in Perth’s premier staying event.  Black Tycoon (8g Blackfriars – Dame Fontaine by Last Tycoon) split a wall of horses inside the final furlong to win by a short head from Blackfriars millionaire God Has Spoken.

Ask Me Nicely (Ustinov) finished third ahead of Blackfriars gelding Rohan who was attempting to complete a WA Derby – Perth Cup double.

Blackfriars was credited with $444,000 of the $524,000 total prizemoney on offer.  He is now bubbling just under $2 million in earnings this season which is more than double his nearest rival on the current Sunspeed sires’ premiership.

“I was panicking on the turn – I didn’t think he could make it through in time,” trainer Justin Warwick admitted.  “But I knew he would get the trip and he hadn’t done any work in the run.

“He was a good thing beaten in the Cox Stakes last time and I wouldn’t have swapped him for anything else at the weights.”

Winning jockey Damien Oliver described the home-town victory right up there with his Melbourne Cup win on Fiorente.  “I had a nice run on the fence but then they stacked up.  I had a lap full of horse and, when the gaps finally came, he gave a big kick.”

Black Tycoon is the last foal from Ascot winner Dame Fontaine.  He was bred by Ron and Toni Harken and the Perth Cup was his third black-type win following the G3 Hyperion Stakes and LR Tattersalls Cup.

He is the fourth horse to complete the Tattersalls Cup – Perth Cup double in the last decade following Cats Fun (2007), Black Tom (2006) and Crown Prosecutor (2004).

Blackfriars has won the last three Sunspeed titles and is odds-on to claim a fourth in 2013-14.  He has 32 yearlings catalogued for the 2014 Perth Magic Millions including 15 from Scenic Lodge.