3 minute read
Bob Peters has been racing horses for over 40 years — he is the pronounced King of racing in West Australia.
Over the years he has had many stars, Old Comrade currently heads that list, however emerging filly Arcadia Queen could be his best yet.
Set to create history on Saturday, Arcadia Queen became the first filly to complete the WA Champion Fillies Stakes/WA Guineas double in close to 60 years (Queen Of The May, 1959) and did so with consummate ease.
Having made her debut back in September, Arcadia Queen has won four of five starts, her only defeat coming on Cup Day when third in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes [1400m].
Unable to reel in Lady Cosmology, she simply gave her too great a start, her closing speed was again top drawer.
A dominant winner of the WA Champion Fillies Stakes [1600m], she confirmed her place alongside some elite company, rated 105 by Timeform.
Only Perfect Reflection has been rated as high in recent years, she went on to defeat star mare Delicacy in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic [1800m] at her next start.
On Saturday Arcadia Queen took full advantage of a positive ride from Pike, settling third behind leader Ulusaba.
Popping off the fence coming into the straight, she worked her way around the heels of The Velvet King, before putting the race away in a few strides.
Displaying a sharp turn of foot, she raced away to score by three lengths, returning a new career peak in the process.
Now rated 112 by Timeform, she is the equal highest rated winner of the Guineas and is one of the best fillies in the country.
Megatic returned the same figure in 2007, before going on to complete the Kingston Town Classic double.
The WFA feature will be her next start with Pike now having to weigh up who he rides (Arcadia Queen or Galaxy Star).
3YOs have dominated the Kingston Town Classic in recent years, they've won 6/21 while providing just 13% of the participants.
Of the 3YOs to win the feature, (2015 - Perfect Reflection; 2013 - Ihtsahymn; 2010 - Playing God; 2007 - Megatic; 2000 - Old Comrade; 1998 - Old Nick;) only Old Comrade went into the race off a higher rating - 116.
Win, lose or draw at her next start, to achieve what Arcadia Queen has in her first preparation, she is clearly a star.
Stablemate Galaxy Star shapes as the main danger, following her dominant display in the Group 1 Railway Stakes [1600m].
An impressive winner of the local lead up [Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes], Galaxy Star was sent out the well supported favourite (15-8) and duly saluted.
Pike affectionately known as "The Wizard" by punters across the country, was at his supreme best saving all the ground, before cutting the corner into the straight.
Pulled to the centre, she loomed ominously and once let rip she was all you wanted to be on passing the 200m.
Drawing away to score by close to two lengths, she returned a new career peak, rated 115 by Timeform.
Her 10th win from 13 starts, she is a testament to Peters' patience and she has rewarded him in spades.
At just her third start beyond 1400m, she is clearly trending the right way and would already be an up to scratch winner of the Kingston Town.
Whether she can topple the filly though remains to be seen, either way it should be a fascinating clash.