This year’s listed WAROA Belmont Guineas over 1600m for the three year olds bestowed a finish to remember – a barnstorming late run from the Adam Durrant trained Summah’s Touch landing the prize from a near impossible position.
We talk often of those runs that leave us scratching our head, and wondering how we did not see it coming. For the Blackfriars filly there were certainly key indicators to suggest a prominent performance was on the cards. The recent four length barrier trial win – one, a classy second in the WA Oaks last season – another, inform leading apprentice jockey Ben Paterson engaged – another, but with the positives comes the negatives – yet to win first up and drawing the carpark (barrier 11 of 11) spring to mind quickly – even Durrant had his reservations.
With thought process and logic aside, we have to forget why we overlooked this remarkable victory, and pay homage to the brilliance of the effort.
Near last on the turn, Paterson steadied Summah’s Touch ($14.00) before charging his mount down the middle of the track, claiming rivals with every bound, before eventually picking up leader Hussy By Choice ($4.60) inside the final furlong to prevail by a length and a half. Hussy By Choice was game in defeat, having lost narrowly in a similar fashion a fortnight prior, while Northpace ($4.80) finished third a further half-length astern, after finding trouble at the top of the straight. Race favourite Dream Lifter ($3.00 fav) had excuses after a torrid run throughout, and was slow into recovery upon returning.
Durrant and Summah’s Touch now have our complete attention heading towards the Belmont Oaks (2000m) in a fortnight’s time.
Chris Blackwell