Machine-Like Consistency for Sire Maschino

Alwyn Park stallion Maschino continues to build momentum off the back of a strong spring, with a full book of mares and three headline acts – Joker’s Grin, Machine Gun Gracie and unbeaten three-year-old Smooth Chino – all circling black-type assignments. Maschino’s progeny have been delivering on the day-to-day stage too, with six individual winners in the space of five days. According to tbwa.net.au, the run began last Wednesday with Hey Pino at Belmont, followed by Coatachino (Albany) on Thursday, Razmas (Esperance) on Friday, and Trio and Grand Reserve (Ascot) on Saturday. Rounding out the streak was debutant Chino Bay, who scored at Bunbury on Sunday. Grand Reserve added fresh feature race shine for Maschino when grinding out a determined victory in Saturday’s Parliamentarians Cup (2200m). The five-year-old, bred by Alwyn Park and sold for $85,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions, has now banked $230,000 including close to $70,000 in Westspeed Bonuses. Trained by Dan Morton for a syndicate managed by his wife Carol, the gelding has matured into a genuine staying prospect. “He’s a beautiful horse and is trending in the right direction,” Morton said. “He’s getting up to a distance range that suits and is a fully matured horse now. He’s a stayer in form and is in for a nice prep.” Chris Parnham navigated a tactically sound route, settling Grand Reserve behind early leaders Major Mario and Noahquintilly before peeling out to reel in Fame, who had been caught three wide throughout. The win extended a family legacy rooted in Alwyn Park’s long-time resident broodmare Shathor. Imported in 2004, the Tirol mare produced five winners including Singapore Group 3 star Captain Obvious. Her daughter Champagne Bubbles, by Scandal Keeper, has kept the line going with Vert De Grece colts Aidan’s Choice and Grece Lightning preceding Grand Reserve. The mare’s recent foals include a Rommel 2YO, a Shooting To Win yearling colt, and a filly by Aysar. Maschino’s stakes performers aren’t done yet. Joker’s Grin has been cleared by vets to press on to next Saturday’s $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) after finishing within two lengths of Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. That followed back-to-back Group 3 wins in the Prince of Wales Stakes and Colonel Reeves. Smooth Chino, unbeaten in five, is also entered. The lightly raced gelding completed a Magic Millions 3YO Trophy hat-trick in February and returned last month with successive Ascot wins for trainer-owner Indianna Weinert. Machine Gun Gracie, WA’s reigning Champion 3YO, is edging closer to a return. The Justine Erkelens-trained mare, who completed the WA Oaks–WA Derby double in April, impressed in a 1450m barrier trial at Lark Hill on December 1.

Parliamentarians Cup winner Grand Reserve (pic: Western Racepix)