Perth's Ascot Racecourse was the stage for a thrilling day of summer racing, headlined by the continued dominance of the brilliant mare Mahdi Girl and a nail-biting finish in the Group 3 La Trice Stakes.
Mahdi Girl Maintains Perfect Summer Record
The day's feature saw the mighty mare Mahdi Girl secure her fourth straight victory, proving too strong for her rivals in a scorching display of speed and class. Trained by the in-form Steve Wolfe and ridden by the talented Clint Johnston-Porter, the five-year-old continued her remarkable ascent through the grades.
Having won her previous three starts in convincing fashion, expectations were high, and she did not disappoint her backers. Settling just off the pace, Mahdi Girl moved powerfully into the race at the turn and asserted her authority in the straight, drawing clear to win with authority. This latest triumph cements her status as one of the most exciting horses in Western Australian racing, with connections now eyeing even richer targets.
Luvnwar Edges Thrilling La Trice Stakes
Earlier on the card, the Group 3 La Trice Stakes (1800m) for fillies and mares delivered a heart-stopping finish. In a blanket result, it was the Simon Miller-trained Luvnwar who got her nose down at the perfect time, piloted to victory by jockey Chris Parnham.
The race unfolded at a genuine tempo, with several runners still in contention as the field straightened for home. In a desperate lunging finish, Luvnwar, Saloon Bar, and Alaskan all threw down their challenges. After a tense wait for the judge's photo, it was Luvnwar who was declared the winner by the narrowest of margins from Saloon Bar, with Alaskan a close-up third. The victory marked a significant black-type success for the four-year-old mare and her connections.
Ascot's Summer Action Heats Up
The successful meeting underscores the quality of Perth's summer racing carnival. The performances of both Mahdi Girl and Luvnwar will have major implications for future feature races. Mahdi Girl's unbeaten streak now makes her a horse to follow at the highest level, while Luvnwar has firmly established herself as a Group-level performer with her La Trice Stakes triumph.
Trainer Steve Wolfe was understandably delighted with his star mare's progress, suggesting the best may still be to come. Meanwhile, Simon Miller praised the fighting heart shown by Luvnwar to secure her first Group race victory. The results set the scene for an exciting second half of the racing season at Ascot.
