Culture Shock at Ascot

Pop Culture won her second LR Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) on Saturday and connections will be hoping for better luck in the lead-up to the G2 Perth Cup on New Year’s Day.

The Blackfriars mare loomed up on the home turn to land her latest black-type victory by three quarters of a length from Rebelson (Snippetson) and Fancy Feet (Fath). It improved her record to 4 wins in 6 starts over the track and distance.

“They underestimate her at their own peril over 1800m at Ascot,” trainer Col Webster said after she caused a $37 shock on Saturday. “We set her for this race when she came back into work and I thought she would go extra well today.”

Pop Culture (6m Blackfriars – Georgia’s Storm by Metal Storm) will be set for the Perth Cup but Webster wants a decent gate on January 1. She drew barrier 20 in this year’s Cup and was never travelling comfortably in the race won by Blackfriars veteran Black Tycoon.

“She’s all heart and is a favourite with everyone at the stable,” Webster said. “Her first two runs this prep didn’t look good on paper but she hit the line nicely against sprinters in the Northerly Stakes.”

A repeat victory in the Ascot Gold Cup increased her earning to over $642,000 highlighted by wins in the G3 WA Oaks, LR WA St Leger and LR Detonator Stakes. She was bred by Russell Clarke and he kept a share with Webster and stable client Paz Princi.

Pop Culture has an unraced 3yo sister named New Orleans Lady with owners Dan and Julia Love and she also has a yearling sister by Blackfriars.

The Ascot Gold Cup prizemoney, together with Shining Knight’s victory in the G3 Colonel Reeves on Melbourne Cup day, has put Blackfriars through the million-dollar mark in prizemoney this season.

The Scenic Lodge champion has sired 31 individual winners of 37 races – his latest maiden winner Devotto scored second-up after a twelve-month spell at Northam on Sunday. His second-dam Paris Heartbeat was a stakes winner in Melbourne and Brisbane.