Classy fillies can hit back
Trainer Grant Williams will launch a dual-pronged attack on Saturday's $100,000 Belmont Oaks with classy fillies Midnight Shimmer and Star Of Husson.
The two look suited to the Listed feature's 2000m trip, but the Williams stable is wary of brilliant Belmont Guineas (1600m) winner Tick Tick Bloom.
Responding well to the addition of blinkers in the Guineas, Midnight Shimmer looked the winner in the concluding stages.
But Tick Tick Bloom, trained by Adam Durrant, stormed home from near last to edge out Midnight Shimmer by a nose.
Williams' wife, Alana, said Midnight Shimmer and Star Of Husson had improved significantly since the Guineas.
Star Of Husson settled at the tail of the field along with Tick Tick Bloom and ran on to finish ninth on the slow track.
"Adam's horse looks hard to beat but our two have trained on pretty well," Alana Williams said.
"Star Of Husson didn't handle the track and Midnight Shimmer went super."
Glenn Smith retains the ride on Midnight Shimmer. Patrick Carbery will pilot Star Of Husson, who emerged as an Oaks contender with an outstanding Belmont win over 2100m in May.
The Williams stable struck at Belmont Park yesterday with Big Jack, who beat Saker by half a length in the twitter.com/perthracing Handicap (1000m).
The win continued a purple patch of form for emerging apprentice Lucy Warwick.
"I think she's just a good little horsewoman," Alana Williams said of Warwick.
"She's had a good grounding and she's a good listener."
Meanwhile, Rule To Wyn continued her sire Universal Ruler's hot streak with a strong win in the Westspeed Nursery (1000m) yesterday.
Despite being forced to make her run out wide on straightening, Rule To Wyn ($5.50) balanced up and gunned down the hot $2 favourite, Mamaroochy, by 1½ lengths.
Rebel King opened Universal Ruler's account at Belmont in May - the first of four straight explosive wins for the boom two-year-old.
Universal Ruler, who stands at Scenic Lodge Stud, is on track to claim the WA first-season sires' title.
He is also in the top six in the Australian premiership with progeny earnings of more than $300,000.
