Machine Gun Gracie to chase Group 1 in Perth
Machine Gun Gracie wrapped up an outstanding maiden campaign with another dominant victory at Ascot, clinching the WATC Schweppes Derby (2400m) and reinforcing her status as the top WA three-year-old.
Following her earlier triumphs in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) and WA Oaks (2400m), she continued her rise by defeating the boys and securing a remarkable hat trick of feature races.
Having debuted just two months ago at Bunbury, the Maschino filly showed remarkable improvement and consistency, registering four wins and two seconds from six starts in her first preparation.
A bargain $45,000 purchase at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Machine Gun Gracie has now earned over $500,000, giving trainer Justine Erkelens one of her most rewarding successes yet.
The WA Derby win is Erkelens’ most significant achievement to date, building on previous successes with the likes of Own The Queen, Friar Fox and Action Pak.
Erkelens now plans to give the filly a well-earned spell before targeting Perth’s biggest races in the spring and summer carnival.
“She’s pulled up good and is just incredible, she doesn’t really realise what she’s doing at the moment,” Erkelens told TABradio.
“She’s a special horse and seems to do everything you ask of her.
“I would like to prep her and have her run in the Northerly.
“I would like to win a race in Perth before we go east.
“I would like to win the Northerly Stakes and the Perth Cup.
“She would be good for that, but we’ll let the dust settle and see where we head.
“She just amazes me how she’s such a big horse, so young and can do everything.
“Nothing seems to faze her which is just weird.
“How she can run that fast just amazes me.”
Erkelens also reflected on how she first discovered the filly at Scenic Stud during yearling inspections.
“I went down to Scenic stud to look at some of the yearlings,” she said.
“I’d seen her when she came out and thought straight away, she just had the walk on her.
“She was big as a yearling but looked so put together.
“I just had to have her, and I bought her at the sales.
“It went from there.”
Shaun O’Donnell, who’s been aboard throughout her campaign, delivered another polished ride to guide her home by nearly two lengths, finishing ahead of Funchal and Sail Session in the process.
The Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) is slated for December and could be Machine Gun Gracie’s next big test.
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