WA Derby winner Western Empire signalled he will be a major player at the big summer carnival in Perth when he resumed with a cruisy victory in the G3 Asian Beau Stakes worth $150,000 at Ascot on Saturday, 30 October.
Beautifully ridden by the “Wizard of the West” William Pike, Western Empire camped right behind the speed to the home turn before bolting clear to beat Notorious One and Luke’s Gold easing down.
Many experts believed the son of Iffraaj and Western Jewel would not be suited over the 1,400m first-up.
But the distance star proved them wrong with a powerful performance and looks to have returned an even better galloper for owner Bob Peters and his co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams.
Western Empire’s record now stands at seven wins and four placings from 12 starts.
