Awesome John Captures WATC Derby

Mark Smith - Sunday April 9

The John O'Shea-trained Awesome John completed a hit-and-run mission in Saturday's $400,000 Group II Schweppes WATC Derby and gave Willie Pike his eleventh win in the classic in eighteen years.

Awesome John makes it 11 WATC Derby trophies in the cabinet for Willie Pike (image Western Racepix)

Settled back near the tail of the seven runners, Awesome John moved into a menacing fourth on the home turn. Coming widest of all, the son of Awesome Rock wore down the Maschino gelding Another Chino to win by a length with the heavily-backed Pride Of Dubai filly She's Fit three-quarters of a length back in third.

Most recently third behind Tapildoodledo and subsequent Group 1 ATC Australian Derby hero Major Beel in the Group III Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, Awesome John advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 13 starts with earnings of $348,530.

Advertisement

Awesome John is owned by Stan Saric, who raced his sire Awesome Rock, with Alan and Sue Olive, who stand the Group 1 LKS Mackinnon Stakes winner at their Gold Front Thoroughbreds.

Awesome John is the best of four winners from five to race for the O'Reilly mare Jayquin Star.

A photo that goes straight to the pool room for connections (image Western Racepix)

A $340,000 Karaka yearling, Jayquin Star is out of a half-sister to Group 1 Arrowfield Stakes winner Sixty Seconds and multiple Group III winner Spottswoode.

Jayquin Star has a 2yo sister to Awesome John and a yearling colt by Divine Prophet. She was covered by Graff last spring.

Awesome John is the third stakes winner for the Fastnet Rock stallion Awesome Rock who covered a career-high 107 mares at Gold Front Thoroughbreds last spring.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Schweppes - W.A.T.C. Derby Gr2 2400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 2:32.06
1
Awesome John
- 3g Awesome Rock (AUS) x Jayquin Star (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: W Pike 56.5
2
1.0
Another Chino
- 3g Maschino (AUS) x Apheta (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: B Parnham 56.5
3
1.8
She's Fit
- 3f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Harpoon (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: Chris Parnham 54.5
Pride Of Dubai
4
6.0
Playhouse Patron
- 3g Patronize (AUS) x Playhouse Theatre (AUS) (Racer's Edge (AUS))
Tnr: R C McPherson Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 56.5
5
6.4
Demolish
- 3g Rich Enuff (AUS) x Magnus Missile (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 56.5
6
8.1
Bernbrae
- 3f My Admiration (AUS) x I'M Gifted (AUS) (Blackfriars (AUS))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 54.5
7
11.3
Celebrity Icon
- 3f Astern (AUS) x Sambaed (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Lucy Fiore 54.5
More Reading...
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.