Plans up in the air for Palace Intruder

Trainer Trevor Andrews is still in a conundrum on the immediate future of talented two-year-old Palace Intruder despite his fighting win over Silver Trace in today’s Westspeed Plate.

Punters backed Palace Intruder from $2 into $1.80 to keep intact his winning streak in the Ascot 1000m dash deemed a match race between the son of Oratorio and another impressive debut winner Silver Trace.

Silver Trace had her share of supporters backed from $5.90 into $4.90 in the six-horse field, with apprentice Ben Paterson jumping the grey to lead from her wide barrier.

Paul Harvey settled Palace Intruder to be in the box seat on the fence before pushing out on straightening to chase the leader.

Palace Intruder loomed up to challenge Silver Trace half way down the final stretch, with the filly kicking back and the pair going to the line with a neck splitting them.

It was another ¾ of a length back to newcomer Rebel King, $2.90 to $4, with another 2¾ lengths back to the fourth placed Castle Retreat.

Rebel King’s rider William Pike launched a protest against the winner over interference on straightening when Harvey pushed out Palace Intruder.

The two horses bumped twice, with the stewards’ ruling that both horses were put off-balance by the incident, but the interference did not change the result.

Palace Intruder, a winner of his two starts, is now the nominal favourite for next Saturday week’s $250,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m).

Andrews is keen to have the strong brown up for the $500,000 Karrakatta Plate (1200m), to be run at Ascot on March 29.

“I have won both races but no horse has won the MM and the Karrakatta,” Andrews said. “He is still very immature and has a bit to learn.

“Silver Trace came across a bit quick on him and he had to check.

“He is bred to go on to win over a mile as a three-year-old.

“It’s hard not to chase the money in both races.

“He is still a baby and if I look after him there is a big future.

“It is almost impossible to win both.”