Ascot Races

David Hayes’ promising Victorian runner Chartreux outclassed the locals at Ascot on Saturday when he claimed victory in the $500,000 Group 1 WATC Derby (2400m).

In Hayes first WATC Derby victory, Chartreux ($5.50) proved too powerful for his rivals, beating home the Neville Parnham-trained Bridgestone ($4.50) by three-quarters of a length, with the odds-on favourite Brother Mak ($3.50) running a gallant third a further length and a quarter back.

Neville Parnham, the leading local trainer of runner-up Bridgestone, also had God Has Spoken contesting the 2010 WATC Derby, the horse placing an unlucky fourth after jockey Steven Parnham got caught up early on and was unable to make up the ground.

Ridden brilliantly by another Victorian, jockey Brad Rawiller, Chartreux sat just off the pace at the start before moving his way up through the field to surpass the leader Bridgestone.

Despite late challenges by Bridgestone and Brother Mak in the final 200m, no rival could catch Chartreux and the Catbird gelding came away with his fourth win from 12 career starts.

WA Oaks winning filly Impressive Jeuney had the early lead, but gave it up and faded to a seventh place finish.

Chartreux was purchased by Mark Pilkinton back in 2008 for $70,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and has now earned in excess of $467, 600 in prizemoney, proving himself worthy of a Melbourne spring carnival campaign at the end of the year with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups within his grasp.

To read more about Chartreux’s Win in the 2010 Schweppes WATC Derby follow the link.

Results for the 2010 WATC Derby: