The Grant and Alana Williams trained Sentimental Legend proved too strong for his opposition in the Group 2 WATC Derby, making it impressive back-to-back feature race wins after saluting in the Listed Melvista Stakes in his previous start.
The expected two-way contest between Sentimental Legend, the $3 second favourite, and Wonderfully Made, the strong $1,75 favourite, never actually materialised, although coming to the home turn it still looked to be very much ‘race on’ between these two main fancies.
Sentimental Legend has claimed the WATC Derby, delivering another classic victory for @williamsracing6 and marking an impressive 12th for jockey William Pike.
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— Racing WA TV (@RacingWATV) April 11, 2026
Wonderfully Made, who surprised most pundits by leading from the outset, brought the Derby field to the home turn ahead of the $31 outsider Poppy’s Roses with Willie Pike on Sentimental Legend, still scraping paint after jumping from the number one barrier draw … still stalking the first two runners in third place, still getting the run of the race while staying within two lengths of the leader.
In a bunching field, when Poppy’s Roses weakened quickly approaching the home turn, Pike quickly moved Sentimental Legend off the heels of Wonderfully Made into clear galloping room, now one off the rail, and the first two favourites in the betting momentarily joined issue early in the home straight.
And that was the fleeting moment when the clash between the top two in the betting looked ready to take the battle to each other … but, that stride for stride moment was just that … a moment only.
With 250m left to run, Sentimental Legend raced right past Wonderfully Made. Pike had gone early and was riding hard, possibly expecting more resistance from his market rival but, as Sentimental Legend powered away, Wonderfully Made had little left to offer and she was passed by another four runners as she went to line very much one-paced over the concluding stages.
The Stephen Miller trained Tahni Talk ($61) and the Neville Parnham trained Masmelo ($14) finished second and third respectively.
Sentimental Legend’s winning margin was a clearcut two lengths as he secured his fourth win from only six starts.
He is now a winner over distances ranging from 1400m to 2400m with a tidy sum of $386 405 banked in prize-money.
