Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred five-year-old Machnificent showed that he will develop into a welcome addition to fast-class ranks when he produced a sparkling finishing burst to snatch an impressive victory over the pacemaker Rockmyster in the 2130m Foton Powered By Cummins Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Rockmyster, the $2.90 second fancy, was driven perfectly by his trainer Dylan Egerton-Green, ambling through the lead time in 38.9sec. and coasting through the opening quarters in 31.`3sec. and 30.6sec. while Machnificent, the $1.70 favourite from barrier six, was travelling full of running in sixth position, one-out and two-back.
Rockmyster sprinted over the final 400m sections in 28.4sec. and 27.8sec. but was unable to hold out the fast-finishing Machnificent, who scored by a half neck, rating 1.58.6.
Machnificent, trained by Katja Warwick and driven with supreme confidence by Chris Lewis, has been a splendid performer who now has earned $224,599 from 15 wins and 17 placings from 61 starts an excellent return for a pacer who was purchased for $20,000 at the 2019 Perth APG yearling sale, and is raced by Mrs Warwick, Ross Waddell and a Pacing WA syndicate.
Machnificent is by Mach Three and is the sixth foal out of the Northern Luck mare Honorable Daughter, who was retired after being unplaced at her six starts in 2010.
Honorable Daughter’s claim to fame is that her granddam Chaangerr produced ten winners, including star performers Changeover (66 starts for 29 wins, 16 placings and $2,321,676) and Change Stride (250 starts for 46 wins, 76 placings and $762,838). Change Stride won 15 races in WA in 2015 and 2016 before winning many more races in America.
Machnificent’s victory completed a double for Lewis, who won earlier in the night with Rumour Has It.