Bob and Sandra Peters were expected to win the $1million Group I WATC Kingston Town Stakes (1800m at Ascot on Saturday with red hot favourite Western Empire, but nobody told their second string runner Regal Power.
Winner of the Group I WATC Railway Stakes in 2019 and the $5million MRC All Star Mile in 2020, Regal Power is a proven Group I performer, but the Grant and Alana Williams trained Pierro gelding was given little chance of beating his much-hyped stablemate.
Western Empire had racked up six consecutive wins coming into the Kingston Town and was sent to the post at a prohibitive short price, but after being trapped three wide in the run he was left vulnerable at the finish.
Willie Pike got to the front momentarily on Western Empire, but Regal Power was charging home from last under Patrick Carberry and could not be denied scoring a half-length win going away.
Bob and Sandra Peters have enjoyed a clean sweep of the $1million Perth Masters G1 races winning the Winterbottom with Graceful Girl (Nicconi) and the Railway with Western Empire (Iffraaj(GB).
Regal Power has the overall record of eight wins and seven placings from 26 starts with earnings of $4.4million.
The best of four winners from stakes-winning Redoute's Choice mare Broadway Belle, he is a full brother to Group II WATC Derby winner Action.
He is also a brother-in-blood to the Peters homebreds Arcadia Queen, a three time Group I winner of $3.9million and Arcadia Prince, winner of the Group III WATC Scahill Stakes.
Broadway Belle has been a regular visitor to Coolmore and has a two year-old filly by Pierro called Regal Order and a yearling colt by the same sire that has already been named Regal Service.
The star producer was covered again by Pierro this year in October.
