Danny O’Brien, John O’Shea among interstate trainers to nominate for Ascot autumn carnival

WATC Derby entries by leading interstate trainers John O’Shea and Danny O’Brien are among almost 170 nominations in feature events at Ascot’s rich autumn carnival.

Victorian co-trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy registered four prospects for the Karrakatta Plate ahead of Racing and Wagering WA’s closure of carnival entries on Monday.

Randwick-based O’Shea nominated last-start Flemington 1800m runner-up Awesome John in the $400,000 WATC Derby (2400m) on April 8. Awesome John, by WA sire Awesome Rock, is a NSW 1600m and 1800m winner.

Melbourne Cup winning trainer O’Brien nominated Victorian 1600m winners Deal Obtained and Roaring Engine in the Derby.

High Approach, who won over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day last November, was entered for the Derby by Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander.

The McEvoys nominated Been Our Angel, Easy Money, Furlanetto and Sunset Dreaming in the $500,000 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) on April 15.

Tony McEvoy, before teaming to train with his son Calvin, achieved Ascot Group 1 success by preparing Hey Doc to win the Winterbottom Stakes.

The Derby attracted 70 entries and the Karrakatta Plate 73, while 26 locally-trained fillies were nominated in next month’s $300,000 WA Oaks (2400m).

Meanwhile, former barrier rogue Western Knight shaped as a carnival hope for leading WA trainer Adam Durrant when he finished powerfully to win a Lark Hill barrier trial on Monday.

The five-year-old brother of Railway Stakes winner Western Empire refused to enter starting gates early in his career and stewards sent him back to trials. But he was on his best behaviour when ridden by William Pike at Lark Hill.

“He’s ready to resume racing again,” said Durrant, who is Western Knight’s third trainer. “A lot of work went into this horse before I got him and he came to our stable at the right time.”

The Durrant-trained Made In Mexico, by dual Co Plate victor So You Think, was best two-year-old heat winner on Monday.

“He’s most impressive and will be handled patiently,” Durrant said.

Class stayer Marrochino will return to racing in Saturday’s Detonator Stakes (1800m) at Ascot after an eye-catching third at Lark Hill on Monday. He finished strongly in an 1100m heat won by Last Of The Line.

“Marocchino’s on a cups campaign,” trainer Lou Luciani said. “He looks extra well after a two-month break from racing.”

Three feature event wins were scored by Marocchino late last year. Last Of The Line, trained by Stephen Miller, has not raced since a fast-finishing fifth in the Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 19.

Premier Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton is booked to ride Artorious in Saturday week’s Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. He will also be aboard Todman Stakes runner King’s Gambit on a flying Sydney visit.