Written by Paul Vettise
Dual Group 3 winner Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) took her connections by surprise with an emphatic first-up performance at Wyong to add to her black-type record.
She was ridden by Rachel King and provided her with the first leg of a black-type double as she combined with Paths Of Glory (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) a race later to claim the Listed Carlton Draught Wyong Gold Cup.
Asiago’s first appearance as a 4-year-old was a successful one with the mare finishing resolutely to win the Listed Bishop Collins Accountants Mona Lisa S. at Wyong on Friday.
The James Cummings-trained Asiago, who has victories to her credit in the G3 Spring S. and the G3 Kembla Grange Classic, hadn’t been sighted since was unplaced in the G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville in May.
While she had twice won previously off a break, she exceeded expectations by adding a third black-type success in the hands of Rachel King to record the sixth win of her career. Wandabaa (Wandjina) was second and Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel) third at long odds.
“With her first-up record we thought she would go well, but we didn’t think she would win like that,” Godolphin stable representative Nacim Dilmi said.
“The 1350 metres was short of her best so it’s a nice stepping stone for her. The tempo didn’t really suit either, they went a bit slower than we thought, but she finished off strongly.
“We gave her a nice break after the trip to Adelaide and she looks to be in for a nice spring.”
“We gave her a nice break after the trip to Adelaide and she looks to be in for a nice spring.” - Nacim Dilmi
Asiago is out of Disputes (Manton), who won the Listed Reginald Allen S. and she has a 100 per cent record at stud with all three foals to race successful.
She is a half-sister to the G3 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Divorces (Domesday), who was also third in the G1 Champagne S.
Their dam Family Breakup (Octagonal {NZ}) is a half-sister to the South African black-type winners Good Tradition (Canny Lad) and Mermaid’s Flannel (Woodman {USA}).
More glory for King
King again ruled supreme with the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Paths Of Glory, who won for the first time on Australian soil on the Kensington track in July and had since tailed the field home in a Warwick Farm trial.
“He had a bit of a break and then a trial. He’s a genuine stayer and likes the firmer ground,” Richard Freedman said. “He’s a funny horse and it takes a lot of work and a few runs to get him fit.”
The grey gelding was given plenty of time to get into his rhythm by King and when a gap opened in the straight he was through to hit the front 150 metres off the post and account for The Lord Mayor (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop).
Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) was an eye-catching third in his first appearance since finishing down the track in the G1 Sydney Cup.
Paths Of Glory is raced by the China Horse Club, who bought him for €60,000 (AU$98,000) at the Goffs Ireland Orby Sale in 2016 and won four times for Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer before relocating to Australia.
A half-brother to two-time winner La Hara (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), he is a son of the G2 Prix Malleret winner Pacific Rim (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}).
