Plate looms as Lucky Street’s grand final
Exciting juvenile Lucky Street will be spelled, regardless of how he fares in today’s $500,000 Group 2 Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
Trainer Trevor Andrews said he couldn’t fault the Oratorio colt ahead of his grand final, but would not be tempted to run in the $200,000 Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on April 11.
“I’d like to keep him fresh and sharp and keep him to the short courses,” Andrews said.
“He can have a good spell and I’ll bring him back for the sprint races later in the year.”
Lucky Street emerged as a dominant favourite for the State’s richest two-year-old race with his dazzling 21/2-length win in the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago.
That followed his impressive victory in the $250,000 Magic Millions 2YO Perth Classic (1100m) last month.
Champion jockey Paul Harvey has ridden Lucky Street in all four of his starts and will again be aboard the youngster, who firmed into a prohibitive $1.50 with the TAB yesterday.
“If he was vulnerable it was at his last start when he had a month between runs and he did not trial,” Andrews said.
“He is very fit and very well. He has one of the great jockeys on him and there won’t be any excuses really.”
Oakland Park Stud will launch a dual-pronged assault on the Karrakatta with Pushin’ Shapes ($8.50) and Saxophonist ($20).
The famous WA nursery reared and raced 2007 Karra-katta winner Roman Time, whose trainer Fred Kersley saddles up Saxophonist.
Pushin’ Shapes, an Ascot 1000m winner on debut and third in the Perth Stakes, is prepared by Daniel Pearce.
The Viscount gelding will be aided by barrier one today.
