Western Empire too tough in home straight stoush

Classy galloper Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj) had to call on all his fighting qualities to pick up his latest stakes victory as he thrust his head in front in the very last stride to claim the Gr.3 PKF Perth – Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday.

The rugged eight-year-old son of Iffraaj had returned to racing in style when he took out his second Gr.3 Drummond Golf Belmont Sprint (1400m) fresh up a fortnight ago.

With superstar West Australian jockey Willie Pike in the saddle again, Western Empire settled outside the pacemaker Hoba West (Epaulette) but appeared to be a little fired up in the early stages before relaxing into a nice rhythm.

Hoba West shot clear by four lengths rounding the home bend before Western Empire balanced up for Pike and set out after him. Making ground with every side Western Empire thrust his head out at just the right time to secure his 13^th career victory and 12^th at stakes level.

Pike was quick to pay tribute to his mount who was all grit and determination throughout.

“I wanted to ride him with cover but he jumped so fast and was a lot more fired up than he was first-up,” Pike said.

“I think that run woke him up and while I tried to get some cover, I had said to the ownership group I would rather be wide without cover than following a couple of the others as I didn’t think they would suit my style.

“Turns out we were outside the leader and although I wasn’t too worried about that it told on him late as he would have run to the line better, but he has a bit of class on his side.

“In all honesty it was all the horse as he had some fire in his belly today and I had to go with it as he is a horse you don’t argue with.

“I’ll back him rain, hail or shine and as it turned out that was the right thing to do.”

Bred in New Zealand by Peters Investments, Western Empire is by former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj and is out of Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel.

Western Empire has now had 37 starts for 13 wins, 10 placings and A$3.678 million in prize-money.