WA bred Machine Gun Gracie might be the best 3YO filly in the West, but her pedigree is packed with Eastern States champion sires including Encosta de Lago, Redoute's Choice and Written Tycoon!
Autumn arrived in Perth to end a summer of relentless heat on the eve of Ascot's much anticipated $300,000 Group III WA Oaks (2400m) meeting.
While the cool change had brought only a brief light shower overnight to the track it came on a gusting easterly wind, which had dropped to a stiff breeze by late Saturday morning.
Nevertheless pundits and punters alike began to keenly discuss the long held tradition that backmarkers are distinctly disadvantaged when the easterly wind blows over Ascot.
Of course, good horses can and frequently do defy the unwritten laws of the punt.
Nevertheless the stage seemed set for the Oaks favourite and bold front running galloper Machine Gun Gracie (Maschino) to complete the coveted Natasha Stakes - Oaks double at what would be only her fifth career start, thereby giving her trainer Justine Erkelens back to back triumphs in those races.
The big bay filly had treated her rivals with something approaching contempt in the Natasha, cruising out in front under partner Shaun O'Donnell from start to finish in a dominant win. Unless someone was brave enough to take her on today, it seemed impossible that any of her rivals there could turn the tables against her.
But as ever, the question of Classic stamina comes to the fore when the three year olds attempt 2400m for the first time.
Certainly the two fillies working home nicely behind Machine Gun Gracie last start had definite claims on breeding and both had some support in early markets.
They were the Williams trained / Pike ridden Funchal (Playing God), sporting a raft of significant gear changes - and Michael Grantham's beautifully bred Savabeel filly Twilight Tale, a daughter of the brilliant Dreamaway winner of the WA Oaks/Derby in 2011.
A field of nine went to the start for the G3 Classic, and at the jump rank outsider Lyn's Star missed it by four lengths, while Machine Gun Gracie and O'Donnell zoomed smoothly to the lead and assumed control as expected.
Noahquintilly and Idodomya settled together behind her with Twilight Tale box seating in fourth position and Funchal further back.
This procession continued for some time with the leader striding easily and taking them along at a smart clip until finally, at the 750m mark, Pike had to make the move and he sooled Funchal around the bunching field. She responded gamely, even briefly heading Machine Gun Gracie while every other runner was immediately off the bit.
But this brave challenge lasted only a moment as the favourite rallied instantly and with arrogance, sprinting away from Funchal who had no answer but battled on bravely to take second, three and a half lengths behind the winner.
Noahquintilly held her ground for third while the William's other runner Summer’s Legacy worked home for fourth and Twilight Tale was one paced in fifth.
It was another comprehensive win for Machine Gun Gracie and gave O'Donnell his third WA Oaks victory.
Justine Erkelens had a tremor in her voice when she spoke proudly of her outstanding filly after the race.
“She makes me emotional. She makes my heart race, but I wasn't worried. I think she's really good," Shaun said.
"If they want to take me on I'll just let them go, because she will come home just the same.
"I can't even fathom that a horse this size, does what it does.”
An ecstatic band of owners cheered Machine Gun Gracie back to scale. Some of them are first time owners living the dream in the best way possible while others are longtime and very loyal supporters of the talented Muchea trainer.
Erkelens said she would follow her usual practice of waiting three days before deciding whether Machine Gun Gracie will press on to the WA Derby in two weeks time.
The always laconic O'Donnell was nevertheless obviously excited and a little in awe of the filly he has ridden in all of her starts
“ From day one she went enormous. Nice horses, they make it easy. I've just got so much confidence in her ability.
"She’s huge, she's just a giant and she's so cool and collected. All she wants to do at home is chew things.
"You know, Danny's horse (Dan Morton's Sail Session) went real well today and the second horse did too - but I'm excited to ride her in the Derby. “
Machine Gun Gracie was bred by J and C Kelly and consigned as part of the Scenic Lodge (As Agent) 2023 Perth Magic Millions draft, where Erkelens in partnership with John Chalmers Bloodstock went to $45,000 to purchase the upstanding youngster.
With her Oaks win she advances her career earnings to over $330k and is a two time stakes winner from her five starts and has never missed a place.
Machine Gun Gracie is the ninth stakes winner for her sire, long time Alwyn Park Stud resident Maschino. The classy and versatile son of Encosta De Lago won up to 1800m, but is known for getting fast sprinter milers although several of his best runners have been highly effective at true middle distance trips.
Machine Gun Gracie's dam Gracie May is a four time winning Written Tycoon mare successful from 1300m to 2200m, and her three foals to date have all been winners. Machine Gun Gracie, her third, is the first by Maschino.
The family maintains a high percentage of winners to runners and goes back to the classy Argentinian bred mare Libia (Ringaro) who was imported into this part of the world and won a stakes race at Flemington before going to stud. Her daughter Abenezra ( Rory's Jester) has founded a successful line in New Zealand, including among her immediate descendants the stakes-winner Pennacchio (Align), dam of top class Hong Kong sprinter Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma).
The family has also produced stakes-winner Strada Cavallo, dam of this season’s Group I placed filly Powers of Opal, who was second in the VRC Oaks during the spring .
Her dam Gracie May produced a colt last spring by Universal Ruler and then went back to him again.
