Winner: Riosand (Fusaichi Pegasus-Lackadaisical)
Race: WATC Perth Stakes LR (1100m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Coolmore Stud as agent
Buyer: Beh Chin Pheng
Earnings: $61,950
Owner(s): CP Beh
Trainer: Joe Byrne (Ascot)
Riosand burst into contention for the Karrakatta Plate with an impressive win in the listed Perth Stakes (1100m) at Ascot this afternoon.
Prepared by renowned horseman Joe Byrne, Riosand tracked the leaders before bursting to the lead in the straight and establishing a winning break.
Debutant runner Big Josh, a $5.50 chance, flew home under William Pike to make the finish interesting – but in the end Riosand ($3 fav) still held a long neck margin.
The Pupster ($17) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third place.
Byrne, who prepares the Fusaichi Pegasus gelding for his good friend and major Malaysian owner Mr Beh Chin Pheng, is looking forward to testing him in better grade.
He said Perth’s premier juvenile race – the Group Two Karrakatta Plate – would be his next run.
Byrne said he was pretty confident throughout the race – but said the finish got a little tighter than he thought he might.
“He looked the winner a long way from home and I think Troy thought that as well,” Byrne commented.
“But we got a bit of a fright.”
Connections have always held a good opinion of Riosand – who is yet to taste defeat in either races or trials.
“He’s a lovely horse and he’s come back here and he’s not even blowing,” Byrne pointed out.
Winning rider Troy Turner said Riosand had a good run throughout the race and he liked how he accelerated to the front at the top of the straight.
The $500,000 Group Two Karrakatta Plate (1200m) will be run at Ascot in a fortnight – on April 17.
Riosand was purchased by connections for $100,000 from last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud.
He is one of six winners from his dam – the winning and Melbourne placed Star Pyramul mare Lackadaisical.
That makes him a half brother to the listed City of Eira Cup winner Napping – a three time winner and now proven city producer.
Riosand is the 47th individual stakes winner for his sire – the Kentucky Derby Mr. Prospector horse Fusaichi Pegasus.
Proven in both hemispheres, the star Coolmore Stud sire has tasted stakes success in Perth prior to Riosand with Morant and Yuro.
