Trainer Trevor Andrews believes his Ducimus filly Paris Calling can be more than competitive in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot this Saturday despite opening on the fourth-line of pre-post markets at $13.
It would also cap a successful run for Rivercrest Park with six winners already accredited to its sires since Melbourne Cup Day.
Paris Calling (3f Ducimus – My Fair Beauty by Trade Fair) registered two wins and two placings in four starts during the winter season at Belmont and is coming off a sound fifth after a wide trip in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) won by Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom) on Cup Day.
“She had no luck last time and is one tough filly,” Andrews said. “We’ve added blinkers for the first time because she can be a bit of a thinker and they will keep her mind on the job. Keshi Boom is the one to beat but our filly will run the mile right out.”
Paris Calling (Photo | Western Racepix} was bred by Cooni Chua using Ducimus over a mare who won 7 races up to 2300m for Blackwatch Stud owner-trainer Steve Wallace. She races for a syndicate that includes Joanne Andrews, Magic Millions manager David Houston and Premium Bloodstock’s Grant Burns.
Last Tuesday was an otherwise tremendous afternoon for Rivercrest Park with resident stallion God Has Spoken siring four winners.
Rivercrest Park-bred Gratias Deo led the way when he landed some nice bets at Ascot after being specked from $14 into $9 in the Ascend Trophies Hcp (1800m).
Gold Has Spoken (Blackfriars) also landed a double at Bunbury (Speak To Me & Henry Has Spoken) and added a third maiden winner at Geraldton (Random Rewards) to seal a career-best day at stud.
On Thursday, Ducimus 3yo Crunchy Nut took the length of the straight to collar front-runner Rocket Storm (Snippetson) before going clear to score by three-quarters of a length in the Afgri Equipment Maiden (1300m) at Northam.
Crunchy Nut was bred by the late Dick Vincent at De Grey Park and is prepared by Keysbrook trainer Ryan Hill. His dam Corn Flakes (Oratorio) is a beautifully-bred close relation of Sweet Corn (G3 VRC Matriarch Stakes), Corn Maizcay (LR Perth Stakes) and Baby Corn (LR SAJC Cinderella Stakes).
“I go back way back with the family,” Vincent said shortly after Crunchy Nut was foaled in September 2020. “I bred and sold Sweet Corn to Lee Freedman for $27,000 as a yearling and she ended up earning around $400,000.
“I’m a big admirer of Ducimus. He’s a great specimen and he’s by Snitzel.”
Former Rivercrest sire Hvasstan weighed in with a winner of his own on Sunday when Beermullah landed the D & A Plumbing Hcp (1500m) at York. Set alight by Simone Altieri down the hill, he sustained a long run to safely hold Gondrinkin (God Has Spoken).
Hvasstan (Fastnet Rock) won a G3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield for trainer Peter Gelagotis and initially stood in Queensland before transferring to WA for a one-off book in 2018. He’s now based at Weona Park Stud in Tasmania.
Ducimus stands for $4,400 at Rivercrest Park with God Has Spoken for $3,300. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or further information, call Steve Hoare on 0409 987 970.