Sigley claims Ascot double
Talented four-year-olds He Or She and Black Heart Bart scored dominant wins to give trainer Vaughn Sigley a double at Ascot today.
He Or She, starting a hot $1.50 favourite, landed his third straight victory in explosive style in the Bulletproof Handicap (1600m).
Jockey Shaun Meeres made his move just before straightening, circling the field to take the lead at the 200m.
He Or She was eased down near the finishing post, beating Vital Edition ($6) by 2 ¼ lengths.
Uncle George ($7.50) ran third.
Sigley said He Or She, a winner at five of seven starts, will continue his steady progression up the ranks.
“Shaun just kept him out of trouble and let him go around them at the right time,” Sigley said.
“The step up to the mile was a little bit more the key and I think he’ll get further.
“I think there’s an 1800 coming up for him. If not, if there’s another mile that will be fine for him.”
Black Heart Bart backed up his Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) win with an outstanding performance in the Black Widow Handicap (1200m).
Similar to He Or She, Black Heart Bart ($4) settled near the tail of the field and circled the field with ease.
The Blackfriars gelding gave apprentice Mitch Pateman an armchair ride, cruising to the lead at the 150m to score by 3 ½ lengths.
Reflectance ($7.50) and Heavy Set ($10) filled the placings. Longma, backed from $4.80 to $3.80 favouritism, ran a disappointing seventh at his WA debut.
Sigley announced feature race plans for Black Heart Bart early next year.
“He’ll go to the paddock now and we’ve mapped out his next few races,” Sigley said.
“He’ll come back for the Cyril Flower Stakes, Bunbury Stakes and Pinjarra Classic.
“He’s an out-and-out sprinter. He likes to sit off them and relax and explode late.”
WA Oaks (2400m) plans are in place for French Champagne next autumn after her impressive win in the Kryptonite Handicap (1600m).
The well-bred filly, trained by Shane Quilty, raced three-wide but with cover for most of the race.
She wore down Boom Time ($4.60) and Military Ruler ($2.30 favourite) to beat the pair by half a length.
French Champagne, who graduated from a Northam maiden win to today’s city victory, is out of a half-sister to Marasco and Siesta Bay. She is by champion WA sire Blackfriars.
“She doesn’t know what she’s doing at the moment,” Quilty said.
“She’s doing it on raw ability.
“We’ll have to sit down and map out the best way of attacking the Oaks.”
Trainer Simon Miller and apprentice Joseph Azzopardi combined for a double with Fuld’s Bet and Sujet.
Sujet scored an impressive 1 ½ length win first-up in the Daredevil Handicap (1200m).
“The scary thing with this guy is his coat hasn’t come through yet,” Miller said.
“He’s got a lot of improvement.”
