Son of a gun wins Country Challenge Final

Son Of Something had a head-start on his rivals despite a wide draw in the Country Challenge Final (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The promising four year-old was always going to be the testing material with Perth’s reigning champions William Pike, Adam Durrant and Blackfriars in his corner. Son Of Something (4g Blackfriars – Miss Something by Fimiston) took the short way home in the straight to defeat Danish Delight by two lengths. “That was a gem of a ride,” stable foreman Jason Miller said as Pike returned to scale. “He got back but didn’t panic and then picked his way through the field. “The horse is still a work in progress. He was last but wasn’t pulling – I thought something might be wrong because he usually reefs in that sort of situation. He’s got ability and is learning to do things right.”

Durrant won Perth’s trainers’ title last season with Blackfriars filly Summah’s Touch contributing 6 wins including the Belmont Guineas (1600m), Belmont Oaks (200m) and Belmont Classic (2200m). Blackfriars has a mortgage on a fourth Sunspeed premiership in 2013-14. The Scenic Lodge champion has sired the winners of $1.30 million this season for a substantial buffer over second placed Oratorio ($893,000).

Son Of Something is a homebred for the Rodgers family. He’s the first foal of Miss Something who finished her racing career with a winning hat-trick at Bunbury and Ascot in March 2008. Pike was aboard for all three victories. Miss Something has a 2yo colt by Viscount and a filly by Planet Five foaled in September.