Black-type win for Lordhelpmerun

Impressive Albany youngster Lordhelpmerun has claimed a thrilling finish to the $200,000 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday to notch the biggest win of his short career thus far.

The Steve Wolfe-trained Lordhelpmerun started a $7.40 chance on the tote and sat just off a hot early speed battle before peeling out and hitting the front at the top of the home straight.

Under the urgings of jockey Shaun McGruddy, the son of Playing God responded strongly in the final stages to hold off a strong late challenge by $2.30 favourite Lady Cosmology by a half head.

After finishing third behind Valour Road in the Karrakatta Plate a fortnight ago this was a deserving Group 3 success for the gelding according to Wolfe.

“We were pretty confident going in, well as confident as you can be in these big races.” Wolfe said.

“The horse was in wonderful order, my staff have done a terrific job and Shaun rode him how I wanted him to be ridden.

“Shaun knew he was fit and well and knew he could make a race of it a bit earlier.

“He is a wonderful horse and will be even better next time in.”

A $25,000 yearling, Lordhelpmerun has now won two of his four career starts and earned $220,300 in prize money.

The two-year-old will be spelled ahead of a crack at the Group 2 WA Guineas later in the year.

It was Wolfe’s first success in the WA Sires’ Produce Stakes and the victory also doubled as the first Group 3 success for Narrikup’s Mungrup Stud first season sire Playing God.

The Roy Rogers-trained Ionyx ($52) was involved in an early battle for the lead with the two Simon Miller gallopers Lady Cosmology and Valour Road and eventually found the front before fading badly to finish last beaten more than 15 lengths.

Earlier in the day One Short ran third for Wolfe and hoop Peter Hall in a close finish to the Mumm Champagne Handicap (1800m), going down by a neck.