Taylor fears chief rival in Asian Beau Stakes

Bullsbrook trainer Jim Taylor fears Alsephina will be too classy for Searchin’ Roc’s as he shoots for his second Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) victory at Ascot on the weekend.

Jim Taylor hasn’t conceded Saturday’s Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes to Alsephina, but says the Grant and Alana Williams-trained five-year-old is clearly the horse to beat on Saturday.

Alesphina, a daughter of Star Turn, has been the banner horse of the Williams’ stable after they split from leading owner-breeder Bob Peters almost two years ago.

She races first up in the Asian Beau Stakes after four trials and in Tabtouch futures betting she’s the $4.60 favourite for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 25.

Searchin’ Roc’s, an Awesome Rock mare, is $21 with online bookmakers for the Railway Stakes and resumes after winning the Listed Farnley Stakes (1400m) at Belmont in September.

“She’s good and just had a quiet trial the other day,” Taylor told The Races WA.

“She’s going to have to run into Alsephina which is in a different league.

“I know Grant and Alana (Williams) and jockey William Pike have a big opinion of her.

“They seem to think she is as good as any of the horses they had with Bob (Peters) which is a good rap.”

Alsephina resumes in the Asian Beau Stakes after a breakout campaign 12-months ago.

She capped an unbeaten preparation with a maiden black-type victory in the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) and followed up in the Group 3 La Trice Classic (1800m) last January.

Alsephina has built an imposing record of nine wins and two placings from 11 starts with prizemoney nearing half a million dollars.

Searchin’ Roc’s won the Listed Farnley Stakes (1400m) two months back, her only run of the year and a great tonic after her career looked to be over following injury and illness setbacks.

Taylor said Searchin’ Roc’s was one of the toughest horses he’s trained.

“She’s had a bit go on,” Taylor said to the Races WA.

“She had tendonitis and I couldn’t work her, then she had colic surgery.

“Luckily the colic operation was a simple one with no complications.

“She’s a very tough horse, you can work her like a two mile stayer.

“She works twice a day; she cops the work, she’s a tough horse.”

Chris Parnham, fresh from a feature double on the weekend, partners Searchin’ Roc’s in the Asian Beau Stakes.

He won the 2021 Asian Beau Stakes aboard Inspirational Girl for the Williams’ stable.

Taylor saddled up Idyllic Prince to win the 2007 edition of the race.