Perfect Reflection noses out stablemate Delicacy to grab slice of history in Kingston Town Classic
PERTH racing has a new star with three-year-old filly Perfect Reflection winning the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes at Ascot, the final Australian Group 1 race of the year.
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PERFECT Reflection cemented her reputation as one of WA racing’s hottest prospects when she scored a pulsating record-breaking victory in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
In a thrilling conclusion to the $1 million feature, Perfect Reflection, raced by leading owner-breeder, Bob Peters and prepared by Grant Williams, held out gallant stable mate Delicacy and scored by a nose margin.
It was billed as the race of the Western Australian season and it failed to disappoint with the pair finishing 4½ lengths clear of Dark Musket. Neverland, one of four runners for Peters, ran fourth.
The Kingston Town Classic capped a stunning maiden campaign for Perfect Reflection, who retained her unbeaten status after stepping out for her first appearance at Pinjarra in September.
Her winning haul included two feature races in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).
On the 50kg minimum for jockey, William Pike, the daughter of More Than Ready became the first three-year-old filly to win the Kingston Town Classic, the last Group 1 of the Australian racing year.
Peters and his wife Sandra claimed their fourth win in WA’s premier weight-for-age race after previous wins to Old Nick (1998) and Old Comrade (2000-2001).
“She is a great filly but I didn’t rate her that high that she could do this,” Peters said.
“I thought she was a nice filly but she had to prove herself.
“From where I sat she won easy but I couldn’t believe how close the photo was.”
Despite his incredible riding record in WA the Kingston Town Classic was one race that had eluded jockey, William Pike.
The seven-time Perth champion hoop, who wasted hard to ride Perfect Reflection, ran placings with Disposition (2014) and Ranger (2011).
Pike, who had Perfect Reflection back in the field before making a sweeping run to reach the front at the top of the straight, said despite the close margin he was confident of victory in running.
“I don’t normally get confident but I was and maybe that’s why Delicacy got so close,” Pike said.
“I actually got to the front too early and it left me a little vulnerable, but she has such a good finish and I was lucky to hold Delicacy out.”
German raider Magic Artist failed to handle the heavy 8 track conditions and faded to finish 13th and 24 lengths from the winner.
Victorian gelding Extra Zero was much the same throughout when seventh.
Punters sent Perfect Reflection into the race as the $4.40 favourite with last season’s champion three-year-old filly Delicacy at $5.
Originally published as Perfect Reflection noses out stablemate Delicacy to grab slice of history in Kingston Town Classic
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