The John O'Shea-trained Awesome John completed a hit-and-run mission in Saturday's $400,000 Group II Schweppes WATC Derby and gave Willie Pike his eleventh win in the classic in eighteen years.
Settled back near the tail of the seven runners, Awesome John moved into a menacing fourth on the home turn. Coming widest of all, the son of Awesome Rock wore down the Maschino gelding Another Chino to win by a length with the heavily-backed Pride Of Dubai filly She's Fit three-quarters of a length back in third.
Most recently third behind Tapildoodledo and subsequent Group 1 ATC Australian Derby hero Major Beel in the Group III Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, Awesome John advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 13 starts with earnings of $348,530.
Awesome John is owned by Stan Saric, who raced his sire Awesome Rock, with Alan and Sue Olive, who stand the Group 1 LKS Mackinnon Stakes winner at their Gold Front Thoroughbreds.
Awesome John is the best of four winners from five to race for the O'Reilly mare Jayquin Star.
A $340,000 Karaka yearling, Jayquin Star is out of a half-sister to Group 1 Arrowfield Stakes winner Sixty Seconds and multiple Group III winner Spottswoode.
Jayquin Star has a 2yo sister to Awesome John and a yearling colt by Divine Prophet. She was covered by Graff last spring.
Awesome John is the third stakes winner for the Fastnet Rock stallion Awesome Rock who covered a career-high 107 mares at Gold Front Thoroughbreds last spring.
