Machine Gun Gracie capped off a sensational debut campaign with a commanding victory at Ascot on Saturday, further solidifying her reputation as Western Australia’s standout three-year-old.
The talented filly followed up her dominant displays in the Natasha Stakes (2200m) and WA Oaks (2400m) by proving too strong for the colts in the WATC Schweppes Derby (2400m), completing a remarkable feature race treble.
Since debuting at Bunbury in February, the daughter of Maschino has continually improved, registering four wins and two runner-up finishes from six starts in her first preparation.
Purchased for just $45,000, Machine Gun Gracie has already earned over $500,000 in prize money and bonuses, a rewarding return for trainer Justine Erkelens, who selected her at the Perth Magic Millions Sale.
Her impressive Group 2 triumph in the WA Derby marked Erkelens’ most significant victory to date, surpassing previous black-type wins with runners like Own The Queen, Friar Fox, and Action Pak.
Looking ahead, Erkelens is eyeing a campaign during the Ascot carnival later this year and has ruled out any immediate plans to take her star filly interstate.
“She’s pulled up good and is just incredible, she doesn’t really realise what she’s doing at the moment,” Erkelens told TABradio.
“She’s a special horse and seems to do everything you ask of her.
“I would like to prep her and have her run in the Northerly.
“I would like to win a race in Perth before we go east.
“I would like to win the Northerly Stakes and the Perth Cup.
“She would be good for that, but we’ll let the dust settle and see where we head.
“She just amazes me how she’s such a big horse, so young and can do everything.
“Nothing seems to faze her which is just weird.
“How she can run that fast just amazes me.”
The process of getting Machine Gun Gracie to the track was carefully managed, but Erkelens sensed she had something special from the beginning.
“I went down to Scenic Stud to look at some of the yearlings,” Erkelens said.
“I’d seen her when she came out and thought straight away, she just had the walk on her.
“She was big as a yearling but looked so put together.
“I just had to have her, and I bought her at the sales.
“It went from there.”
Shaun O’Donnell, who has partnered Machine Gun Gracie throughout her campaign, guided her to a 1¾-length win in the WA Derby, finishing ahead of Funchal and Sail Session.
The win marked O’Donnell’s second success in the prestigious race, having previously saluted aboard Beaujolais Boy.
The Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) is scheduled for Ascot in December and now looms as a major target.
