| In form Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald provided star local rider Clint Johnston-Porter with a maiden Group One success courtesy of the outstanding elite level win of Port Lockroy in the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. |
| Sent out at $9 with bookmakers, Port Lockroy shot clear of his rivals on straightening after a lovely ride from Johnston-Porter and at the finish the pair held a three quarter length margin over the now three time Railway Stakes runner-up Comfort Me. Fellow Magic Millions graduate, former Champion WA juvenile Super Smink, stormed home from last to finish a breath back in third place. Co-trainer Rob Archibald who recently formed a training partnership with Annabel Neasham was on course to cheer home his second Group One following the recent Flemington Champions Sprint success with Sunshine in Paris. “I’m just so excited,” Archibald said moments after the race. “I’m just so excited for the owners in the horse.” “He’s been so unlucky for almost all of his career through gates etcetera. He executed the perfect race today CJP – full credit to him.” “The owners have been brave enough in coming over and having a go. It’s such a great reward for them.” “It’s a huge thrill. I’m so lucky to be in this position. Annabel has always had so much confidence in this horse.” “It was just so great to see him get a really good ride and for him (Port Lockroy) to deliver on the big stage.” “I thought he got him into a lovely spot. He got outside the leader and relaxed beautifully. He got into a lovely rhythm and he did the rest.” Archibald said he was able to quickly call Neasham in the seconds after the race – “she was screaming down the phone.” “She is over the moon – I’m just so pleased for everyone,” he added. Neasham teamed up with bloodstock agent Brian McGuire to secure Port Lockroy for $300,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was offered and sold by his breeder Yarramalong Park. After a couple of close calls during last year’s Perth Summer Carnival local star Clint Johnston-Porter was thrilled to snare his maiden Group One. “This will take a couple of weeks to sink in,” the popular local rider said. “I’ve thought about this moment for a very long time.” “I was a bit stiff not to get one last year – so to get one on the board is fantastic – and to be the Railway, our iconic race – is great.” “I was banking on his run in the Golden Eagle. It was a very good run. When I worked him, it backed that up – I was trying not to get too excited.” Port Lockroy, the second Group One for Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s resident sire star Better Than Ready, is one of five winners produced by the black type performer Freezethemillions. A daughter of Snowland’s half brother Freeze, Freezethemillions was a winner at two and second in the Listed Lancaster Stakes, third in the Listed Hampden Stakes and fourth in the Group Two Sires’ BRC Produce Stakes. Port Lockroy is a full brother to the Group Three BJ McLachlan Stakes, Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and $1 million Magic Millions QTIS winner Alpine Edge. A prizemoney earner of over $1.88 million, Alpine Edge now stands at Clear Mountain Fairview. An outstanding line up of 28 youngsters by Better Than Ready are catalogued for January’s 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. More stock by the star sire will feature at the 2025 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale and other auctions to be conducted by Magic Millions over the coming sales season. Winner: Port Lockroy Breeding: Better Than Ready-Freezethemillions (Freeze) Race: WATC Railway Stakes G1 (1600m) Sold for: $300,000 Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Earnings: $1,197,250 Breeder: Yarramalong Vendor: Yarramalong Park Buyer: Annabel Neasham Racing & Brian McGuire Owners: Go Bloodstock Australia (Mgr: Sir OG Glenn), Mrs JM Acott, BM Jackson, DJ Ricketts, Martin Thoroughbred Racing (Mgr: JRD Martin), WRL Foster, DS Bella, Mrs JM Bella, Miss AS Neasham, Hon. GJ Williamson, YES Bloodstock (Mgr: BF Sokolski), MJ Charteris, Mrs H Scalia & JA Hunter Trainers: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald (Warwick Farm) |
