Veteran jockey Shaun O'Donnell experienced one of the most memorable days of his distinguished career at Ascot on Saturday, securing an impressive treble that included two major stakes victories.
Placid Ark Stakes Triumph
The highlight of O'Donnell's remarkable day came aboard Luana Miss in the Listed $500,000 Placid Ark Stakes over 1200 metres. Starting as the heavily backed $1.60 favourite, the race didn't unfold smoothly for the talented filly.
O'Donnell found himself in a challenging position with Luana Miss caught in significant traffic congestion approaching the home bend. The experienced jockey demonstrated exceptional skill, maneuvering his way out of trouble and finding clear running at the 200-metre mark.
Once in the clear, Luana Miss unleashed what trainer Trevor Andrews described as "an electric turn of foot", making up nearly four lengths in a matter of strides to overtake longshot Country God ($61) and secure a length victory over Sherpa Express ($19).
Emotional Victory for Connections
For trainer Trevor Andrews, the victory brought back memories of his previous Placid Ark success 21 years earlier with Money Exchange. "The relief is amazing," Andrews confessed. "She was in a good spot but he had horses all round him and nowhere to go. Credit to Shaun, he persevered and forced a run."
The win has prompted serious consideration of a start in the upcoming Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), where Luana Miss would face established stars like Overpass and O'Donnell's other major winner on the day, Jokers Grin.
Andrews acknowledged the size difference his filly would encounter but emphasized the opportunity: "She's not the biggest and toughest, and horses like Jokers Grin are probably twice her size. But she gets one shot as a three-year-old in a Group 1 race, and even to place, it adds value to her."
Colonel Reeves Success with Jokers Grin
O'Donnell's day began with another significant victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) aboard Jokers Grin. Taking the ride as replacement for the concussed Pat Carbery, O'Donnell guided the $1.80 favourite to a commanding half-length victory over Oscar's Fortune ($3).
The win further tightened Jokers Grin's betting position for both the Winterbottom Stakes and Gold Rush (1400m), establishing him as a serious contender for upcoming feature races.
Other Feature Race Highlights
The day's racing produced several other notable results:
- Pure Excess ($7.50) staged a dramatic late surge to defeat Talkanco ($1.85f) by a nose in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies' Stakes
- Storyville ($4.40) caused a significant upset in the R J Peters Stakes, defeating hot favourite Cosmic Crusader ($1.85f)
- The Railway Stakes betting market was thrown into disarray following Cosmic Crusader's defeat
O'Donnell reflected on his extraordinary day with appreciation for both his winning mounts. Of Luana Miss's performance, he stated: "That was a horrendous race. I was all over heels into the straight and I actually clipped a heel and blundered there at the top of the straight. I'm a bit speechless... that was a phenomenal win and a courageous effort."
The veteran jockey endorsed the Winterbottom Stakes ambition for Luana Miss, adding "If she turns up and pulls up alright, you'd be mad not to have a little crack."
