Washakie put bad luck behind him with a dominant win in the M.H Treuer Memorial at Bankstown Photo by Ross Stevenson
Fortune favours the brave.
West Australian owned star Washakie put a string of recent unlucky efforts behind him tonight with a dominating performance in the Gr.1 $100,000 M.H Treuer Memorial at Bankstown.
Tonight's victory could just be springboard that Washakie and his connections are looking for with many classics still remaining this season.
Handled by John McCarthy, Washakie was driven aggressively in the early stages before racing outside race favourite and leader Karloo Mick with just over a mile left to run.
Last start Miracle Mile placegetter Karloo Mick found the lead comfortably and strolled through the lead time of 68.8 seconds whilst Washakie sat without cover, recent Newcastle Mile winner Saucy Legend sat parked behind the pacesetter and rising Queensland star Western Cam occupied the one out, one back position.
Karloo Mick, still searching for that elusive Group One victory was rated perfectly by Greg Bennett with quarters posted in 31.3 and 31.3 seconds for the first half of the last mile.
Entering the back straight for the final time, Washakie looked comfortable racing on the outside of Karloo Mick and neither driver had fully tested their respective charges.
The third quarter was covered in a sedate 29.3 seconds leaving those back in the field little or no hope of catching the runaway leaders.
At the top of the straight, Karloo Mick and Washakie sprinted clear and provided an excellent home stretch duel with the latter gaining the upper hand and drawing clear to win impressively whilst Queenslander Atomic Ark again caught the eye running home strongly for third placing.
Washakie recorded a mile rate of 1.59.4 for the 2540m journey whilst the final quarter was clearly the quickest at 27.8 seconds.
"That was super, to sit parked outside a horse like Karloo Mick and run away from him like that is just awesome" McCarthy said.
"He was completely out of luck last week at Menangle and we expected a bold showing tonight" McCarthy added.
Connections will now travel further south this week and tackle the next leg of the Barastoc Grand Circuit with the Gr.1 $400,000 SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup at Tabcorp Park, Melton locked in as the next target.
The McCarthy stable claimed the 2005 Victoria Cup with dual Miarcle Mile champion Be Good Johnny.
"Both Washakie and Be Good Johnny will be nominated for the Cup next week, I'm happy for both of them to start" McCarthy explained.
"Luke will come down and drive Washakie whilst I will stick with Johnny next week" McCarthy added.
Washakie is raced by Kevin Jeavons, Lindsay Savern and Gino Monaco.
