Sayers has Double Hand in Autumn Final

Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers will have a strong hand in the $100,000 Westspeed Platinum Autumn Series Final (1200m) at Ascot on May 1. Sayers bred, sold and kept a share in Heat 2 winner City Circle (City Place) and Heat 3 winner Image Keeper (Scandal Keeper), reports tbwa.net.au. Image Keeper was given the run of the race by Mitch Pateman on Saturday before rounding the leader in the straight and repelling the late challenges of Morgs Freeman (Playing God) and Miss Quoted (Ouqba). He's been well-placed this prep winning three in a rapid row at Bunbury, Pinjarra and Ascot. "I did look at starting him in Heat 2 but opted for Pinjarra with the idea of backing up on the weekend," trainer Brock Lewthwaite revealed. "Now we're off to the grand-final in a fortnight! There's plenty of him and he's still raw so we've taken it step by step. We've had good jockeys on board like Willie (Pike) and Mitch and they've been teaching him well. Willie's been booked for the Final." Image Keeper was purchased by Constance Cheng for $65,000 from Yarradale's draft to the 2018 Perth Magic Millions. Sayers retained a share in Image Keeper and he also kept an interest in Heat 2 winner City Circle with Neville and Carol Parnham.