Wolfe, Rogers runners finish well back in WA Guineas

Albany gallopers Lordhelpmerun and Zetorio failed to figure in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday for respective trainers Steve Wolfe and Roy Rogers.

The pair were among the capacity field of 16 in the $500,000 feature race for three-year-olds but both settled in the back half of the field and were never able to make a big impression in the home straight.

Lordhelpmerun, a $16 chance on the tote, settled 13th and was shuffled back to last on the home corner, leaving jockey Shaun McGruddy with a big task in the closing stages.

The winner of last season’s WA Sires’ Produce Stakes ran the final 600m in 35.97sec. and made up some ground to finish 13th, but was still beaten by more than 12 lengths behind winner Arcadia Queen.

Jumping at $197 on the tote, Zetorio settled in 10th for jockey Jason Whiting and turned for home in 13th behind a wall of horses before fading to run last.

Wolfe’s Minus Looks was the best-performed local runner on the day, finishing fourth in the TabTouch — Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m).

Red Ora and My Greek Boy were both unplaced in the listed Carbine Club Of WA Stakes (1400m) and Triggerfish was beaten by 7¼ lengths in the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m).

An inquiry involving McGruddy from last Sunday’s meeting in Albany was also wrapped up, with the hoop fined $5000 for improper conduct.

Stewards judged McGruddy dismounted from Texan Blitz behind the barriers and kicked the horse, which is improper conduct.

He was issued with the fine, $2000 of which was suspended for a two-year period providing he doesn’t reoffend.