Game on for Oratorio

Oratorio (Aus) is back on top of his game and gunning for another Sunspeed 2YO sires’ crown this season.

The Mungrup Stud champion won juvenile premierships in 2009, 2010 and 2013 but faced an uphill battle to make it four titles after the G2 Karrakatta Plate in March.

So Secret took over at the top of the table when his colt Hobart Jones won the $500,000 feature, however, it’s taken less than a month for Oratorio to reclaim the lead.

Cuanzo (2g Oratorio – Geigerita by Geiger Counter) restored the status quo with a debut victory in the Westspeed Nursery (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.  Thrown in at the deep end against a quality field of city winners, he sprinted clear in the straight for a two length victory over Major Factor (Sebring) and Top Show (Stratum)

“He trialled extra well after we added blinkers and his work on Tuesday was exceptional,” trainer Eric Wake said as jockey Jason Whiting brought the youngster back to scale.  “We could have started at the midweeks but ‘Fish’ reckons he’s half-decent so we’ve gone straight into a Saturday race.”

Cuanzo is a homebred for Lex and Shirley Piper and earned $65,900 in prizemoney and Westspeed bonuses on Saturday.  He will be banking more with the benefit of that run under his belt.

Oratorio has sired the winners of six juvenile races this season for $494,200.  So Secret is second ($467,640) with deceased champion Bletchley Park third ($251,200).

The Pipers, Wake and Whiting will combine again with Oratorio filly Talatina at Pinjarra on Anzac Day.  She was running on nicely down the straight course last time and will appreciate an extra furlong around a bend in the Safeway Roofing 2YO Maiden (1200m).