Star mare Amelia's Jewel lost her unbeaten first-up record when playing second fiddle to the 3-year-old Rich Enuff gedling Oscar's Fortune in the Group III PKF AS Roma - AC Milan Cup (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Ridden by Willie Pike for Dion Luciani , Oscar's Fortune defeated the fast-finishing Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni) by a half-length with two and a quarter lengths back to the 3-year-old Written By gelding Ripcord in third.
Second to Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in December, Oscar's Fortune earned a belated stakes win to advance his record to five wins and three seconds from eight starts with earnings of $688,260.
The three placegetters will meet again in the $5 million The Quokka in a fortnight.
“Just looking at the horse, he has really come on in the last couple of weeks. His coat had come right and has a sharp look in his eye,” Luciani said.
“With the run he got, he defeated a really nice mare today.
“He is more mature now. He used to run on nervous energy and did a lot of things wrong, but his attitude has changed.”
Bred by Woodside Park Stud, Oscar’s Fortune was a $5,500 Inglis Digital purchase as a yearling for Kellie Everett’s Loloma Farms when offered by Morningside.
He is the first foal of the Sebring mare Oscar Award whose dam Stages Performer is a half-sister to Group 1 VRC Derby and Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon, Group III MVRC Inglis Mile winner Matras, and Group III ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Romantic Moon.
It’s been a good day for Rich Enff at Ascot. His promising 2-year-old daughter Siren Assault was an impressive Group III Gimcrack Stakes winner.
Oscar’s Fortune is the eighth stakes-winner for the prolific Woodside Park Stud stallion.
