The Ta Shunka Witco Stakes was the feature race here in Ascot this weekend. It was a classy field of 3yo sprinters and the race certainly did not disappoint.
The small field of 6 paraded around the mounting yard before moving around to the starting stalls. The moved in quickly and formed a good line and then the starter released them and the field thundered into action. It was Jenna’s Deputy who took up the early running from In Position and Day of a New Start, with the eventual winner Sea King Cyclone settling well in 4th place 4-5 lengths from the leader. At the top of the stretch Jenna’s Deputy began to tire and dropped back through the field with the strong runs coming from Paler Jesus and Sea King Cyclone, they swept to the front with only ¾ of a length between them. It was a dig dong battle down the stretch but in the end Sea King Cyclone was always in control and he drew away in the shadows of the post to win by 1 ¼ lengths from Paper Jesus with Jenna’s Deputy hanging on for a good third place.
Sea King Cyclone won his 6th race from 15 starts and recorded a 99 speed figure and raised his stake earnings to $540,360.
Ydracing3 said after the race “We were always a bit concerned about the 2 week break and the travel coming from Australia, he recovered well and has won the race so we are very happy. It was a tough race and Paper Jesus certainly put it to him in the stretch but he was too strong. He will probably have a few weeks off now and then we can look for a suitable race, it is hard to place him as there are not a lot of 3yo turf sprints around”.
Certainly a good win and there should be many more for this guy.
Simon