Red Ora shines for Morton
Trainer Dan Morton looks to have another smart galloper on his hands with Red Ora, an impressive debut winner at Ascot today.
With the early favourites Brackets and Madassa scratched, Red Ora started a hot $2.40 favourite in the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1000m).
The Due Sasso gelding didn’t let punters down, defying his lack of experience to score in fine style.
Conditions suited on-speed runners and jockey William Pike settled Red Ora outside of the leader, Dance Mindy Dance ($4).
Pike made his move early in the straight and booted Red Ora clear of his rivals, beating Dance Mindy Dance by 1 ¼ lengths.
Klondike King ($5) recovered from a poor start to run third.
Morton had no doubts about sending Red Ora straight to the races after just one trial at Belmont Park.
“I liked his trial and thought there was a fair bit of improvement in him,” Morton said.
“He’s a beautiful type of horse.
“He’s still very new and green and only had the one trial before today.”
Red Ora was bred by Mungrup Stud’s Gray Williamson, who races the gelding with a big group of ex-schoolmates from Aquinas College. Most are first-time racehorse owners.
Red Ora’s winning time of 58.85 seconds for the 1000m was very impressive.
Madam Sass led all the way to win race two, a 60-plus rating handicap, in 59.58 seconds over the same distance.
Meanwhile, He Or She continued his hot form with a fourth straight win.
He Or She ($1.45 favourite) defied the on-speed bias, circling the field from last to beat Rebelson by three lengths in the Tabtouch The Home of Racing and Sports Handicap (1500m).
Trainer Vaughn Sigley said the four-year-old is close to being sent for a spell.
“He’s probably not far off but we’ll sit down and see if there is another race for him,” Sigley said.
“He just keeps getting the job done.”
Jockey Ben Kennedy must front a stewards’ inquiry on Monday after missing rides at Ascot on Wednesday, Pinjarra yesterday and Ascot today.
Kennedy told stewards he has been ill. He has been taken off his rides at Bunbury tomorrow.
