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Double up for Tick Tick Bloom

Hot favourite Tick Tick Bloom won the second leg of a rich treble when she stormed home to score in today's $100,000 Belmont Oaks (2000m) at Belmont Park.

The Viscount filly, a $100,000 Belmont Guineas (1600m) winner two weeks ago, has also also been set for the $100,000 Belmont Classic (2200m) on July 19.

Tick Tick Bloom ($1.90) was settled in 10th postion today by jockey William Pike and she moved to seventh at the home turn.

Pike rode vigorously in final stages as Tick Bloom Bloom went to the line locked with Star Of Husson ($8), who went down by a head.

Feeling Lucky ($16) finished 2 1/2 lengths back in third place.

Trainer Adam Durrant was delighted with Tick Tick Bloom's win and predicted she would be an Ascot carnival horse.

"We've always had a very high opinion of this filly," Durrant said. "I must admit to expecting an easier win today.

"There seems a chance she's beginning to feel the effects of having won at five of her past six starts.

"At this stage, she's being aimed at the Belmont Classic. But the filly will start only if she's not showing signs of training-off."

Tick Tick Bloom was the second leg of a double today for Durrant, who won the Brian O'Malley 80th Birthday Handicap (1600m) with Tower Of Lonhro ($3.50 favourite).

The Lonhro gelding, who charged home from eighth at the 350m for jockey Ben Kennedy, has won at four of six starts since a spell.

Durrant said Tower Of Lonhro could start in the $100,000 XXXX Gold Broome Cup (2200m) on August 16.

Kennedy also won today's Dayana Plate (2000m) on the Darren McAuliife-trained Proceedwithcaution ($3.20).

Military Ruler ($3.50 favourite), ridden by William Pike, gave McAuliffe the first leg of a double by winning the Westspeed Nominations Close on 18 July Handicap (1400m).

Pike completed a treble when he won the Steven Crowley 60th Birthday Handicap (1200m) on Celebrity Miss for trainer Grant Williams.

Apprentice Lucy Warwick maintained a run of success by winning on Lucciola ($2 favourite) and Verdello Blue ($3.30).

Lucciola, trained by Warwick's father Justin, has won at eight of her past 10 starts.

"The mare will race again in two weeks," Justin Warwick said.

Toby Roney prepares Verdello Blue, who today gave a bold front running display.