Heart Starter wins 2016 Seacorp-Asian Beau Stakes Group 3 $150,000 at Ascot (WA) 3yo+, 1400m.
Heart Starter is now the winner of five of his ten starts and he stepped up to take out his first Group race here. He settled began well, settled in fourth place, one out and one back, behind a moderate pace. He moved up rounding the home turn, lifted gamely at the 50m and finished too well for a good win.
Great Shot went to the front, steadied the pace, sprinted clear on turning for home and was only headed nearing the post for second.
Respondent settled in seventh place, was held up on straightening and caught the eye in running on late for third in a good first-up run for new trainer Fred Kersley.
The second favourite Ideal Image raced outside the leader (Great Shot), was under pressure at the 200m but kept fighting on to hold (0.5 lengths) fourth in a sound effort at her third run this preparation.
