Wolfe and Rogers in absorbing battle after weekend wins

The early battle between top Albany trainers Steve Wolfe and Roy Rogers continued at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Sunday, as both found themselves in the winner’s circle.

Wolfe held a two-win advantage over Rogers after six meetings but wins from new stable acquisition Read The Riot Act and then My Girl Chilly in the first four races shot Rogers to 10 wins.

In the opening part of the eight-race card, Wolfe also tasted success, however, with filly Merit Dream winning her first start for a new stable and then the ever-consistent Chasing Chaos breaking a 505-day winning drought to push Wolfe to 12 victories.

Wolfe then saluted in the final race of the day, with talented sprinter Captivated Point continuing his brilliant Albany record, to secure a winning treble.

Captivated Point was perfectly ridden by Shaun McGruddy in the Bliss Nails & Beauty Handicap (1100m) sitting just off the speed before pouncing in the home straight to chalk up a sixth win in Albany from 10 starts at the track.

Wolfe was hopeful Merit Dream, previously trained by Trevor Andrews, could win another race in the Great Southern this season after beating Sure Conviction by a nose in the Whale Watch WA Maiden (1500m).

Local rider Shelby Colgate extended her lead in the Apprentice Jockeys’ Premiership after a fourth win in the region this season, booting home Chasing Chaos, who ended a run of three consecutive minor placings.

Rogers was bullish on his acquisition from the Andrews stable, Read The Riot Act, which raced greenly but at his fourth career start, while My Girl Chilly was originally destined to run in the Golden Bracelet but an easier 1600m option led to her winning a second career race.

Peter Knuckey and Natasha Faithfull were both fined $250 for whip breaches at the meeting and Margays returned with soreness from race 2 and was retired.

Golden Bracelet runner Prix D’Excellence died following the fillies and mares feature race where she finished sixth.

Stewards advised the horse suffered a suspected cardiac arrhythmia, dying under the supervision of club veterinarian Shey Rogers, and routine samples were taken.

It was a sad set of circumstances for Albany trainer Liam O’Loughlin and connections, with O’Loughlin winning the past two editions of the race.