Bandana has rivals covered in Northerly
Four-year-old Fuchsia Bandana emerged as a top $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) prospect when she impressively won today's $150,000 Northerly Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
The Darren McAuliffe-trained mare, starting at $7, settled in second position and fought on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths from favourite Miss Rose De Lago ($3.90).
McAuliffe praised a polished exhibition by jockey Jarrad Noske on Fuchsia Bandana, who had been ridden by William Pike in her previous four races.
Balmont Girl ($15) came from fifth near turn and finished a close third in the Northerly Stakes, which highlighted Ascot's re-opening.
Fuchsia Bandana was today having only her second start after a break of almost five months from racing.
The chestnut, who ran second over 1200m when resuming two weeks ago, is expected to improve considerably before the Railway on November 22.
"Fuchsia Bandana has earned a Railway start," McAuliffe said. "She was ridden in world perfect style by Jarrad Noske.
"The mare was handicapped on 54kg, which is below his riding weight.
"I called on Jarrad after William Pike decided to ride Responmdent and and we didn't have a jockey for Fuschia Bandana. Jarrad agreed to waste and ride her."
Pike got off Fuchsia Bandana to take the mount on Respondent, who ran fourth in the Northerly.
Pike is No 1 jockey for Respondent's owners Bob and Sandra Peters
Miss Rose De Lago's trainer Simon Miller said the mare was not suited by being restrained to settle in third position.
"She will be allowed to run along in future races," Miller said.
Trainer Grant Williams and the Peters family landed a winning double in consecutive races with Disposition and Delicacy.
Disposition ($5), ridden by Brad Parnham, stormed home from eighth poistion and won the $100,000 Crown Perth Belgravia Stakes (1200m) by 2 1/4 lengths.
Fuld's Bet ($8) set the pace and finished second and Cuanzo ($16) came from behind leaders to run third.
Dispostion is aimed at the $400,000 WA Guineas (1600m) on November 22.
Pike registered an all-the-way win on Delicacy ($4) in the $45,000 Jimmy Wong's Handicap (1400m).
Say Geronimo ($12) charged from sixth near the turn to finish second and First Among Equals ($4.60) ran third after racing prominently.
Delicacy is aimed at the $200,000 Champion Fillies' Stakes (1600m) on November 15.
