[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Evergreen gelding Acromantula wound back the clock with a dazzling front-running display in the $125,000 Listed Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Starting a $14 chance at his third run back from a spell, the Written Tycoon eight-year-old jumped brilliantly from barrier seven with Lucy Fiore aboard and showed the electric speed he was formerly known for when crossing to the lead.
He set a hot tempo throughout and railed like a greyhound on straightening to kick clear by a couple of lengths before hanging on to defeat Cut The Talk ($13) by just over a half length on the line.
Race-favourite Jaz Session ($3.30) finished another one-and-a-half lengths away in third place, with Pearce Racing-trained mare Sinful Living ($11) a further nose away in fourth.
Bred and owned by Alan Olive of Gold Front Thoroughbreds, Acromantula put the writing on the wall for his winning return with an encouraging fourth placing, beaten less than a length, in the $125,000 Listed Summer Scorcher (1000m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
The classy sprinter has now had 44 career starts for 10 wins, 11 minor placings and $811,378 in total earnings, whilst also bringing up a rare achievement of having won races at the ages of three, four, five, six, seven and eight now.
The Pearce stable will saddle up Platinum Shot and Eightyseven Lad at Ascot on Wednesday before Thursday’s Pinjarra Scarpside meeting where Awarded Glory and Eternal Romance are engaged.