Muchea trainer Justine Erkelens is brimming with confidence as her promising filly, Machine Gun Gracie, prepares to face a stamina test at Ascot this Saturday. The daughter of Maschino has shown immense potential in her three starts so far and is aiming to deliver Erkelens her third Natasha Stakes (2200m) victory in seven years.
Machine Gun Gracie made a striking debut, smashing her maiden status at Pinjarra by nearly five lengths. She followed up with a strong performance in her last start, finishing just behind Glasgow Lass in the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m). Despite being headed in the straight, she fought back valiantly, losing by a narrow margin of a long neck.
Erkelens, who has previously tasted success in the Natasha Stakes with Own The Queen (2024) and Friar Fox (2018), believes Machine Gun Gracie has what it takes to go one better this time. Punters seem to agree, as she is the clear Tabtouch favourite at $2.70, ahead of Twilight Tale ($4.60) and Glasgow Lass ($4.80).
With her sights set on the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) on April 5, Erkelens is confident that Machine Gun Gracie will handle the step up in distance. “She’s going really well and worked so good on Tuesday,” Erkelens said. “I couldn’t be any more happier with her. It is a step up, but that’s where we’re at and she’s bred to stay. We just knew she was going to stay from the day I’d seen her as a yearling. I think she’ll run out the trip and we’ll see how she goes.”
Erkelens and jockey Shaun O’Donnell are no strangers to Natasha Stakes success, having previously teamed up with Friar Fox. O’Donnell, who has also won the race with Impressive Jeuney (2010) and Balmont Girl (2014), will be looking to add another victory to his tally. Machine Gun Gracie, a $45,000 Perth Magic Millions yearling, will jump from barrier four.
Both trainer and jockey head into Saturday’s meeting in fine form. Erkelens celebrated a commanding win with Black For Cash at Ascot on Wednesday, while O’Donnell guided Tokyo Fire to a last-stride victory earlier in the same meeting.
