It was back to business for the exciting full sister to Miss Andretti – Peggie’s Dream ($2.35 fav) – returning to the winners circle following a game win in the CMI Comline Handicap 1100m.

Handicapped with a massive 59kg impost, the 5yo Ihtiram mare dug deep to run down the unlucky School Rumble ($18.00) by a half head, with perennial place-getter Geiger Rio ($5.00) battling away a half-length away in third. Trainer Bruce Watkins was full of praise for the ride from jockey William Pike, who literally pulled the horse off the canvas in scrambling to the line.

It was a fitting win for a horse that has shown so much promise – the only blemish in its career to date being a fighting third behind WA’s young sprint star Travinator at Belmont back in September.

The Peggie’s Dream win was one of four close race finishes at Ascot today.

First starter Moet Me ($7.50) stormed to short head victory in the CMI Busselton Plate 1100m for two year olds, while Detection ($2.20 fav) fell in by a short half head to deny the late charge of Mister Panon ($5.50) in the CMI Geraldton HCP 1200m. Smart Twister ($11.00) ensured Ambers Kingdoms spate of placing’s would continue, outlasting its late challenge to also win by a short half head in the CMI E-vent HCP 2100m.

Waterman’s Bay ($2.80 fav) collected an overdue win in the CMI Roofing HCP 1200m, following a string of seven second placing’s from its past eight attempts. Pop Culture ($6.00) continued to press towards the Perth Cup with a powerful return in the CMI Ascot Gold Cup 1800m, while Rebelson ($7.00) placed itself into WA Guineas contention with a soft win the Fairetha Stakes 1400m.

And of course there was Luckgray ($2.05) who mocked rivals in the Group 2 WAROA Lee Steere Stakes 1400m, proving the big weight (59kg) to be no burden, as it careered away for massive two length victory.

There were two notable entries into the “Black Book” today. The Luciani camp certainly has another star in the making with their 2yo Fastnet Rock colt Candour, who failed to get a clear run for the entire length of the straight in the opener, and one more step would have seen the Rob Harvey Jr trained Mister Panon win the second – unable to grab Detention in the shadows of the post.

Jockey William Pike did the best of the hoops with a race day double aboard Moet Me and Peggie’s Dream, while there were no multiple wins for the trainers.

Chris Blackwell

www.ozracing.com.au