[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Progressive staying mare Queen Alina produced an ultra-impressive performance at Ascot on Saturday when rocketing home to take out the $125,000 Westspeed Platinum Cup (2100m) in style.
Heavily supported into $1.80 favouritism, the Mahuta four-year-old came from worse than midfield in a capacity 14-horse line up and initially looked like getting boxed-in on straightening, however, rider Chris Parnham was able to extricate her into the clear and she responded with a sizzling final furlong.
The mare defeated Playhouse Patron ($26) by one-and-a-half lengths, with Holy Enchantment ($7.50) a further half-length away in third place.
Queen Alina’s first Saturday victory continues her rapid rise through the grades and she picked up a lucrative $109,200 including Westspeed Platinum bonuses for her triumph.
The talented mare has now had eight race starts for four wins, three second placings and $219,995 in stake earnings and bonuses.
Connections will be sweating on a run in the $500,000 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on January 1 due to Queen Alina’s low handicap rating being unlikely to elevate her into the starting field, however, the $150,000 Group 3 La Trice Classic (1800m) for fillies and mares on the same day appears a suitable back-up plan.
CLICK HERE to watch the replay of Queen Alina’s Ascot win.