Allowed to roll to the front from an outside barrier by Douglas Whyte, Trap For Fools galloped his rivals into submission in Saturday's Listed Towton Cup (2200m) at Ascot to record his fifth consecutive victory.
The 4yo son of Poet's Voice (GB) had his eight rivals off the bit coming around the home turn and needed little more than a hand ride by Whyte to defeat Angola by two and a quarter lengths with Falcon Crest a long-neck back in third. (photo Perth Racing)
Trainer Lindsay Smith said Trap Of Fools will be aimed at the Perth Cup but due to the changes enforced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Whyte will not be allowed to take the ride.
Hong Kong-based jockeys will only be allowed to take rides in what are regarded as major Group 1 stakes in Australia.
It was the seventh win from the last eight starts for Trap Of Fools advancing his overall record to 9 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $280,280
"You will not see many better rides than that. He had a ride on him a couple of weeks ago and got him switched off," Smith said.
"I know he is never allowed to come back here again under the rules but he hasn't made it home yet, so we might just shackle him or something.
"We've become quite close, Douglas and I and my family, he's a very nice man and it was a great ride."
Smith said the Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot on December 17 will be the next start for Cup Of Fools before the Perth Cup on December 31.
Despite there being no eligible races for Whyte to ride in Perth, the multiple champion rider in Hong Kong said he doubts they have seen the last of him in the west.
"It will be a sad day when I get on the plane tonight but some way, somehow, I'll be back," Whyte said.
"Lindsay knows his horses inside and out and when I came back last time when I won on him he looked at me sideways and said I had hung on to him too long.
"He was right, but he simply did not relax last time. He got into a bit of a bun fight early and was just two aggressive the whole way around.
"He never took hold of the bridle today and I was able to ride him like Lindsay wanted me too."
Trap Of Fools is the only stakes winner for his dam Old Money who was one of the stars of racing in the west in 2000 with wins in the Group 1 WATC West. Australian Derby, Group II WATC C.B. Cox Stakes and Group III WATC West. Australian Oaks when carrying the colours of Bob and Sandra Peters.
The daughter of Old Spice was sold to American interests and she won an Allowance at Santa Anita and was third in the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes.
Retired to stud in America, Old Money had a troubled history and was repatriated in 2008.
She was no more productive back home, leaving four foals in nine years before her death in January 2016.
Trap Of Fools is her penultimate foal, with just a 2yo colt by Carlton House (GB) to follow.
Trap Of Fools is one of 11 stakes winners for former Darley shuttler Poet's Voice.
