Lane’s stable delivers a double in bumper Ascot meeting

Saturday was a bumper day for Boyanup trainer Michael Lane, who secured yet another impressive Ascot double. Lane’s delight began in the Perth Racing At Home Handicap (1000m), with his three-year-old We’ve Got Dream oozing confidence as she defeated Dew West by 0.5 lengths. With Kyra Yuill a picture of concentration in the saddle, the filly burst out of the gates at a cracking pace as her rivals struggled to go with her early. However the hot pace needed to be rationed somewhat and Yuill, who shifted over to the rail, was joined by Lording, ridden by Peta Edwards, and Dew West (Joseph Azzopardi) as the trio began their tilt towards the home straight. But Yuill, who understands Lane’s horses better than most, managed to execute a brilliant piece of riding under pressure. With Dew West nipping at her heels on the inside, Yuill ever-so-slightly moved the filly a fraction to the left, which denied Azzopardi additional space to work with. By the time the sprint seam in front of Azzopardi opened up, the momentum We’ve Got Dreams had built up was far too great. Lane and Yuill also tasted success in the Glenroy Chaff Handicap (1800m) with Kia Ora Star, a horse which Lane believes is on course to deliver great things for his stable. Later in the day, all South West interest was on Myalup’s Lucy Warwick, who was aiming to deliver the $160,000 Amelia Park Roma Cup (1200m) for the Darren McAuliffe stable aboard Gatting. Unfortunately for Warwick, she was unable to continue her recent form with the six-year-old, who drew barrier 10 for the feature. In a very congested field, the gelding spent the majority of the journey with iconic veteran Black Hart Bart on his back and was denied space throughout. At the head of the field, it was a different, with Sean Casey’s highly-touted runner Vega Magic saluting by 0.2 lengths over The Velvet King in a hotly-contested final 100m. Saturday’s meeting was the final Ascot meeting of the season.