Teo Nugent took out his first Flemington feature on Saturday afternoon as he and the Ken Elford-trained Ashford Street combined to salute stylishly in the $200,000 Kensington Stakes (1000m).
It comes as no surprise with Teo Nugent having an affinity with this five-year-old gelding having ridden him on 11 occasions with three wins and two more minor placings prior to Saturday’s success.
It was a perfect set of circumstances that unfolded for the eventual winner as Jamie Kah looked to travel to the near side running rail giving Ashford Street ($10) the perfect run in behind throughout while race favourite Rose Quartz ($2) was never able to settle throughout the run.
After sitting forward down the centre of the Flemington straight, unfortunately for favourite backers Rose Quartz never looked likely as Colridge ($23) snagged the photo finish for the third minor placing.
2022 Kensington Stakes – Ashford Street
It was a career best by Ashford Street, however, as he’d never won on a good surface in the past with six starts for just the one minor placing.
That all changed on Saturday though with the perfect storm as the near side looked the ideal lane for Ashford Street to show his best turn-of-foot.
Trainer Ken Elford was glowing post-race about where this horse has taken the stable and the horses’ relationship with Teo Nugent.
“Can’t believe it, he’s taken us on a great journey and we’re so please with him,” Elford said.
“Teo’s (Nugent) a local boy, and he listens to you and treats you with respect. We talked to him about this race to today and we said try and be a little bit closer and a little bit more positive, he’s done it.”
The Wangoom Handicap in May of next year looks the likely target for this son of Moshe as trainer Ken Elford alluded to post-race as well.
“He’s probably going to have a break soon, that’s the aim with him, win the Wangoom”
Jockey Teo Nugent talked post-race and was elated for connections and even he was somewhat surprised by the performance.
“He really comes alive on a slow and heavy track,” said Nugent.
“He put the writing on the wall two starts back at Cranbourne on a very firm track that day – coming here today the guys had a really good handle on him. He’s good and versitale, he done it pretty easy.”
When discussing Ashford Street’s chances in the Warrnambool feature Teo Nugent seemed to agree it’s been on the schedule a long way out.
“That’s been his grand final for quite a long time, they’ve pencilled that in the diary. – He comes alive on these heavy tracks, so something like a Wangoom is definitely in his grasp.”
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