Filthy Habits hot to trot in Rogan Josh Stakes at Ascot, showing true grit to score

Resilient gelding Filthy Habits confirmed himself as a gutsy cup-class stayer, taking the $100,000 Rogan Josh Stakes (2100m) at Ascot in a deceptive finish. Favourite backers were on good terms from the outset as Filthy Habits ($2.05 TABtouch) sprung forward to find a comfortable lead over main market danger Iowa ($3.60). Through the opening 1300m, Lucy Fiore allowed the bay to find a serene rhythm out in front and dictated terms to a nicety before gradually increasing the pace from the 800m mark. Approaching the turn, Fiore had almost all the other riders rowing away in behind, although Fat Roy Slim ($4.20) and William Pike were making eye-catching progress from the tail. Rounding the turn, Fiore wound up the front-runner and the five-year-old moved more than a length in front, but Fat Roy Slim was sustaining steady inroads down the outside. With 100m to go, Pike finally pulled the whip and asked for maximum effort from Fat Roy Slim, and the well-tried third favourite soon leveled with Filthy Habits. Over the final 30m, Filthy Habits’ trademark toughness shone through and the two drew to the line with barely a breath between them, though to the naked eye most sided with Fat Roy Slim who had reached a definite lead strides from the post. But after an analysis of the photo finish, the gritty Filthy Habits had bowed his head right on the mirror and had recaptured victory from the brink of defeat. Ironically, Pike has ridden Filthy Habits once in his 36-start career when eighth at Northam in June 2023 in which race Fat Roy Slim was placed third. And until the replay gave him hope, trainer Brandon Fiore was ruing the champion jockey and his almost impeccable timing. “Straight away, I thought, ‘bloody Pikey, just finds an extra length’, but once I saw the slow motion I thought we’d got it. It was a good ride from Pike, but we just got the bob, thank god,” he said. “(Filthy Habits) has taught me a lot, actually. When you’ve got a horse like this, he just gives the same amount every time and you adjust your work depending on how fast or slow you want him. “We’ll tip him out for a spell and bring him back for (the Perth Cup) and hopefully pick up a lead-up race on the way.” Fiore’s wife, Lucy, knew that Filthy Habits’ tenacity would fight off any challengers but also thought Pike’s delivery had been perfect. “I was umming and ahhing because he kicked away again and usually, I’m so used to a fight. But I didn’t hit him last time and I was like, ‘Fat Roy Slim) isn’t coming fast enough and is going to get me on the line’, but thankfully he got the right bob,” she said. “He was really fresh then and it was super windy, so I maybe left the run a bit late as well. “But after the line, I can’t pull him up, so I’m sure 2400m will be right up his alley.” Later, Capitola, who won a blistering 400m trial earlier in the week, showed his speed could last the distance as he took an 1100m two-year-old plate. Ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, the $11 shot sizzled across to lead and kicked strongly off the turn to open up by three lengths. Despite flagging late, the Capitalist gelding held on to win by nearly a length from the running-on Brave Wasp ($20) and drifting former favourite Playin’it Sweet ($6).

Filthy Habits hot to trot in Rogan Josh Stakes at Ascot, showing true grit to score

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