Simon Miller may have missed out on a Group victory on Ascot Super Saturday after his boom three-year-old Ron’s Call failed as the favourite in the WA Guineas, but the dedicated local horseman will be back for a consolation prize this weekend saddling up Night War in the 2011 Placid Ark Stakes.
Fairetha Stakes winner Ron’s Call started the short-priced favourite in the $350,000 Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) last Saturday but the heat, crowds, mile and big race pressure proved too much and they could only manage to finish six lengths away ninth to the winner King Saul.
Miller’s other WA Guineas contender this year was Single Spice, the $41 outsider failing to beat home any other runner when crossing 13th of 13 after fading from her early front running position to finish last.
With Senhor Da Gama earlier scratched from the $80,000 Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) on Railway Stakes Day, Miller’s best result at Perth’s biggest race meeting was the close fourth place finish by his Tiger Hill gelding Bombora in the $40,000 Pure Blonde Handicap (1100m), a result that netted $1,600 in prize money.
On Monday Miller’s disappointment deepened when Ron’s Call showed they had not come through the WA Guineas well, forcing his trainer to spell him immediately and shelve any plans to continue on and have a crack at the $500,000 Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 3.
Ron’s Call will be bought back for the autumn to race either at home in Perth or, if he comes back well, they could head east eyeing the riches of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
“We’ll do the right thing and put him out now,” Miller said.
“He’ll probably have a run here and if all’s good, we’ll entertain something over east.”
Miller, however, is already moving past his Railway Stakes Day upset and looking ahead to this Saturday for the sole stakes race on the program, the $80,000 Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds.
Representing Miller in the 2011 Placid Ark Stakes will be his Group 2 Karrakatta Plate winner Night War.
The General Nediym filly, purchased for $90,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales, has won three of her four career starts to date already amassing over $410,000 in prize money.
Resuming form an eight month spell, Night War showed they had lost none of their shine resuming with a flawless two and a half length success in the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1000m) at Ascot on November 12 carrying a big weight.
“She’s in the zone and hasn’t missed a beat since her first-up win,” Miller said of Night War.
Stay tuned to Races.com.au throughout the week to view all the Placid Ark Stakes field and betting updates.
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