He Or She sets sights on WATC Derby
Unbeaten three-year-old He Or She, a brilliant last-to-first winner in today's Budget.com.au Handicap (1200m) at Ascot, is on target to contest next month's $400,000 WATC Derby (2400m).
He Or She ($2.50 favourite), stormed home from 10th in a 10-horse and jockey Shaun Meeres guided him to a one-length win over Oneofus ($26).
A fast-finishing win was also scored by He Or She (pronounced Heeoshi) on February 20, when made his debut over 1200m at Bunbury.
His trainer Vaughn Sigley won the 2012 WATC Derby with Rohan.
"We've entered him for the Derby on April 12 and he's shown big potential in his only two races," Sigley said. "The horse races like a future stayer and we'll begin to increase his race distances.
"Former class stayer Military Plume is prominent in his pedigree.
"I bought He Or She's dam Danessa for $5000 when living in Melbourne several years ago. I was working at Flemington for trainers Roger James and Mike Moroney to get extra experience.
"Unfortunately, Danessa's racing prospects were affected by a severe cold. I put her to stud and He Or She she was her second foal.
"The first person to check Danessa and the newly foaled He Or She reported she had a chestnut filly. So we named him He Or She."
Sigley races He Or She in partnership with Serpentine breeder-owner Alan Macalister.
Two-year-old Rommel, who won today's Budget Rent A Car Plate (1000m) as a $1.40 favourite, will next start in the $500,000 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Asccot on March 29.
The Neville Parnham-trained Rommel, a winner twice in three starts, was sent straight to the front today by Parnham's eldest jockey son Steven.
He won by a length from Well Spoken Man ($6.50) and Megafactory ($9) finished a close third.
"Rommel was not suited by leading," Neville Parnham said. "But we didn't want to risk him being locked in the field. He's galloped fast only once since last racing three weeks ago, and will improve a lot."
