Ascot Recap: Erkelens, O’Donnell & Machie Gun Gracie shine

In a front-running masterclass, Machine Gun Gracie proved unstoppable in the Natasha Stakes, leading from start to finish to claim an emphatic victory. The classy filly left her rivals in her wake, delivering a standout performance that now sees her firm as the horse to beat in the upcoming WA Oaks.

The win capped off a memorable day for trainer Justin Erkelens and jockey Shaun O’Donnell, who were in fine form across the card. With a dominant display reminiscent of Erkelens’ previous star filly Own The Queen, Machine Gun Gracie’s triumph signals her arrival as the new force in Western Australia’s three-year-old staying ranks.

WIN OF THE DAY

A superb win by classy filly Machine Gun Gracie in the Natasha Stakes, rivals couldn’t get past her as she put them to the sword, leading from start to finish in a terrific front running display. Has she got the WA Oaks at her mercy? It capped a memorable day for trainer Justin Erkelens and jockey Shaun O’Donnell.

TRAINER

Justine Erkelens had Own The Queen dominate the filly ranks a year ago and 12-months on she looks set to do it again after unearthing Machine Gun Gracie, who will start a short priced favourite in the WA Oaks.

Similar to Watch Me Gracie against the girls, Sail Session dominated the boys in the J.C.Roberts Stakes, gapping his next rival by 2 ¾ lengths. Trainer Dan Morton claimed his third victory after Another Chino (2023) and Scenic Shot (2006).

Watch Me Rock looked headed for another defeat until William Pike weaved his magic. The Awesome Rock gelding returned to the winner’s list after a perplexing fourth in the Bunbury Stakes. Stable mate Fluro Neuro ran second to give Grant and Alana Williams a race quinella.

JOCKEY

Lucy Fiore is knocking out city winners with regularity. Last Saturday a treble, Wednesday a double and a second consecutive J.C.Roberts Stakes on Sail Session before lifting Filthy Habits to a tight win in the last.

William Pike would have enjoyed his first association aboard God’s Rapture. He came home with a double, minus a few heart flutters for favourite backers when Watch Me Rock snapped victory from the jaws of defeat in the Grandstand Cup.

TRAINER/JOCKEY

Justine Erkelens and Shaun O’Donnell launched a massive day winning the first race with Jaz Session, who had a lovely run throughout, but icing on the cake was Machine Gun Gracie in the Natasha Stakes.

Small stable led by Bruce Kay and hard-working jockey Brandon Louis are getting maximum results from ultra consistent gelding Canny Rock who has put together two in a line late into his preparation. The son of Awesome Rock followed a hot speed before chiming in when Nobelity and Sure Thing got tired and ran out of gas in front.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Petula’s first outing in nearly a year didn’t go to script when she beat only one to the line.

Flower Of Gold sat back and settled last, passing one runner in the Natasha Stakes. She’s better than that.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

It’s not easy for a two-year-old to back up a week from their debut and come out walloping the opposition, but that’s precisely what God’s Rapture did in the second race with a devastating final sprint. It was a Karrakatta Plate statement run, an event that trainer Ted Martinovich knows all too well after Lucy Mae won in 2017.

Twilight Tale hit the line hard for second in Natasha Stakes. Can her trainer Michael Grantham find something extra to turn the tables on Machine Gun Gracie in the WA Oaks in a fortnight?

Ice Pick Nick back on track after the Bunbury Stakes flop. Back to 1200m next.

Play Fair chased hard and was doing his best work late behind Sail Session in the J.C.Roberts Stakes. Will appreciate extra distance in the Melvista.