Trainer Justin Warwick was full of praise for his new stable runner, Wink And A Nod, after the mare scored first up for him in the Speeding Bullet Handicap (1200m).
In a good duel with Clinking the mare won by a short neck with Nardini in third place.
The win gave the in-form leading apprentice, Lucy Warwick, another triumph to go with her career best performance of four wins at Ascot’s mid week meeting on December10.
Warwick said that Wink And A Nod is a very athletic type that would go through the grades.
”This was a bit short for her today and after missing the start slightly Lucy had her in a good position turning for home,” Warwick said.
His talented daughter was not so sure. “I was a bit worried about getting out even though I was running third,” she said.
Lucy didn’t have to fret for long as when Nardini skipped clear, for home, she was able to roll her charge clear and pursue.
Warwick has only had Wink And A Nod in his stables for a month. It was a fortunate pick up because the mare had four wins from 11 starts before today.
HANDFUL: Although he is not an easy horse to handle Cougar Nights compensates by having talent.
He streaked away from the Country Challenge Final field in the concluding stages and gave jockey Brad Parnham a winning double for the day to go with his earlier win on French Champagne for Shane Quilty.
Having broken trainer Michael Lane’s arm Cougar Nights was also a bit difficult for Parnham going to the barrier for this 1500m race.
Although tramping three wide he was very relaxed in running and just slid forward when given more rein by his rider. Zacapa and Carillo could merely trail in his wake, three lengths away.
Cougar Nights appreciated carrying 3kg less in this race than the 60kg he lumped when a fading fourth at Bunbury at his previous start.
By John Elsegood