Rich prizemoney to finally stay in WA on final week of Pinnacles carnival at Ascot with all-local outfit

Western Australian horses will finally get their day in the sun on the final day of the Pinnacles carnival, with an all-local representation in the Group 3 $1.5 million 7plus Sport Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot. With all three Group 1 races claimed by Eastern States horses over the last few weeks, WA will finally retain some of the rich prizemoney in the absence of any interstate runners in this Saturday’s feature. Two of the favourites over the recent races to rise to glory but have been left so far bereft are Western Empire and Super Smink, the $4.80 TABtouch co-favourites. Western Empire was strongly supported in the Winterbottom Stakes - the 1200m Group 1 feature - two weeks ago but despite an impeded home straight run, was left a down the track in a sub-par ninth placing. When regular jockey William Pike was injured in an e-scooter accident on Monday evening, Team Williams hastily made arrangements for Melbourne hoop Billy Egan to fly in and partner the gelding. Prior to this preparation, the seven-year-old has been targeted at much longer distances, meaning the rise to 1400m will pose no obstacle. Barrier 15, however, will mean an awkward steer for Egan and the Iffraaj gelding will need to exhibit all his high class. Super Smink rocketed home from last in the Railway Stakes – the 1600m Group 1 – three weeks ago when finishing an almighty and arguably unlucky third. She was backed up two weeks later in the Northerly Stakes – the 1800m Group 1 – and was hemmed up for almost the entire duration of the home straight. Off such an unlucky and undemanding run, trainer Dan Morton had no hesitation in accepting for this week’s contest just seven days later. Her Northerly Stakes run was a new test over such an extended distance, while the 1400m of the Gold Rush will be a comfortable reduction for the Super One mare. Her record over 1400m stands at five starts for two wins and two placings, including a win in the Asian Beau Stakes just three runs ago. From a kind gate (five), Chris Parnham will be hopeful of retaining a position in midfield and allow the four-year-old clear running to avoid the disappointment of recent starts. Magnificent Andy ($9.50) should be more fresh than the pair of them, having not started since the Railway Stakes of three weeks back. He produced a typically gallant display to finish fourth and was beaten just over a length behind Port Lockroy. Again, the Magnus six-year-old draws favourably in gate four and it would not surprise to see him peak on this day having won at the meeting last year. WA’s most lovable placegetter Comfort Me ($11) has still yet to break through for his big race win but has accumulated more than $1.6 million across the journey, with almost half of that coming from just the Railway Stakes. The eight-year-old ran his third second placing in the race across the previous four editions when three-quarters of a length behind Port Lockroy last time out. He was dealt a blow at Tuesday’s barrier draw when given gate 18, meaning the Playing God gelding might have to do more work than he wants to find a position at the head of affairs. If ever a horse deserved a win in a big money race, Comfort Me is surely the one. Rope Them In ($12) was one of only two horses to fare worse at the barrier draw, coming up with gate 20. The sizzling sprinter rises to 1400m after a fourth placing in the Winterbottom Stakes behind Overpass when beaten less than two lengths. Already a two-time winner over 1400m, the decision was made this year to aim at the Winterbottom rather than Railway but the gelding has shown the capacity to not solely be restricted to sprinting. Like Super Smink, Bustler ($14) comes through both the Railway and Northerly Stakes, performing creditably on both occasions and beaten an average of two-and-three-quarter lengths. Steven Parnham now renews his association with last year’s Railway hero in preference to Zipaway ($16), which could be a lead in his favour. Bustler has gate nine, while Zipaway, who was less than a half-length behind him in the Northerly, has gate two for Laqdar Ramoly. Wind And The Lion ($14), the young three-year0old who burst onto the scene with victory in the Placid Ark Stakes, avoided the Winterbottom and instead entered the 1400m Lee Steere Stakes on the same day. He finished third, beaten a length behind Cashel Palace and though not disgraced, will need to lift to claim this contest. Barrier six does help his cause, though. Searchin’ Roc’s ($19) must overcome gate 14 but was less than two lengths from Port Lockroy in the Railway, while the freshened Ripcord ($21) returns after a failed Melbourne mission and was given barrier 19. His trial was eye-catching, however, and Ripcord did finish second in this race last year behind Munhamek. Valour Road ($23) also trialled successfully a week later, with the nine-year-old showing there’s still an excited youth buzzing about his aged frame. This could be his swansong appearance and a fitting farewell it would be for the $1.8 million earner. Another veteran, Hot Zed ($23), shocked many at his 45th start when finishing a ripper third in the Winterbottom Stakes. If he has one more surprise left in him, he has been given every chance to showcase it from gate one. + One of WA’s toughest pacers, Minstrel, will start a $5.50 equal second elect in Saturday’s TAB Inter Dominion Pacers Final at Menangle in New South Wales. TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo ($2.30) is a pronounced favourite after taking his last two heats and jumps from gate three, while Minstrel has barrier 11 (following Don Hugo, three on the back row). Dangerous, who beat Minstrel in last week’s third round of heats, shares the second line of betting.