Albany duo clash in WA Sires’ Produce Stakes

Local youngsters Lordhelpmerun and Ionyx will face a crack field in Saturday’s $200,000 Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.

Lordhelpmerun, trained by Steve Wolfe, finished third in this month’s Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and has pressed on to the next two-year-old feature.

The Roy Rogers-trained Ionyx has had a different path to the Sires’ Produce Stakes after initially being nominated for the Karrakatta but not running in the event.

Instead, Rogers opted to start the young galloper in an all-age maiden over 1500m in Albany two days before the Karrakatta, which he won convincingly by 2¼ lengths.

The Albany pair will clash in a superb field of 10 runners that includes Karrakatta Plate winner Valour Road and runner-up Lady Cosmology, along with Bam’s On Fire and Platoon.

Stable jockey Shaun McGruddy will again partner Lordhelpmerun after the pair finished 1¼ lengths behind Valour Road in the Karrakatta.

Lordhelpmerun, who has been placed at all three career starts to date, jumps from barrier four with 56.5kg on his back.

Ionyx will have to overcome a wide gate, drawing barrier eight, and will carry 56.5kg, with apprentice Randy Tan replacing Daniel Staeck in the saddle.

Staeck rode the grey gelding to his maiden win but he committed to Red Snitz in the Sires, leaving Tan to ride Ionyx for the second time.

Smart three-year-old Arrum Boy will resume for Wolfe on Saturday at Ascot, as well over 1100m.

He will carry 57.5kg and start from gate 10 with McGruddy aboard.

Three Secrets, another of Wolfe’s young horses, will contest the other three-year-old handicap on the card, but over 1500m.

The Lyn Kiddle-trained Run Liam Run has been placed at his last two starts and will race again over 1400m.

Local horses Tranquilla Sunrise, War Jeune and One Short will also race at Ascot on Saturday.