Like their mare’s name, foreman Kelly Kinninmont and jockey Holly Watson entered the Summer Scorcher at Ascot with a sense of calmness their sprinter wouldn’t let them down.
Once Simon Miller’s five-year-old How’s The Serenity found the front early in the 1000m Listed feature worth $125,000, there simply was no catching her.
How’s The Serenity was way too good, going on to win by almost 1.5 lengths, with Wilchino second for Dan Morton.
2023 Listed Summer Scorcher Replay – How’s The Serenity
It was Watson’s second win for the day, after guiding home Feels Playful in race two on the card.
After a flying start, she knew most of the job was done.
“I know how much speed she has early – I just didn’t want to burn her across,” she told Sky Racing.
“But as soon as those gates opened, she just pinged straight out and found the front herself.
“When Wilchino was going that fast, I always knew I was going to run her down and she was still nice on the bridle.
“We knew we had a good chance coming into this race.”
Pre-race, Kinninmont had that rare and amazing feeling in sport that How’s The Serenity would not be beaten.
“It’s fantastic. As soon as she sprung from the lids, we knew it was all over pretty much,” she said.
“It was too easy and Holly’s in such good form today. She deserves every bit of it.
“Pre-race, I thought she looked better than she ever has. Didn’t sweat.
“As soon as she paraded in the mounting yards, she was ready to go.”
How’s The Serenity was a comprehensive winner in her trial over 1000m at Belmont with Watson in the saddle on December 19, beating runner-up Carocapo by almost 3.5 lengths.
Wilchino was third that day, giving the talented apprentice rider and the Miller stable plenty of confidence she would produce another excellence performance on Perth Cup Day.
“I knew she’d jump really well. Holly was that excited after her trial, she couldn’t believe how good she went,” Kinninmont said.
“And she deserves everything.”
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