Man Booker received nationwide coverage for his victory in the G3 Northerly Stakes when racing returned to Ascot on Saturday.

The win was featured in Aushorse and ANZ News bulletins on a day when Yarradale Stud sires provided four winners – Man Booker (Discorsi), Dainty Tess (War Chant), Rockon Tommy (Vital Equine) and Five Degrees (Frost Giant).

Dainty Tess (5m War Chant - Classic Smile by Bletchley Park) produced a paralysing finishing burst to reel in a quality field assembled for the LR Crawford Stakes (1000m).  It was the first leg of a stakes-winning double for trainer Dan Morton – she’s a stablemate of Man Booker – and he admitted to being on tenterhooks when the pocket-rocket cornered a long way off the leaders.

“She’s just one of those horses that you’ve got your heart in your mouth every time,” Morton said.  “I was happy to see a bit of heat on up front - they didn’t get any cheap sectionals.”

Morton believes Dainty Tess can measure up to Group 1 level in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on December 1.  She has won 13 races and $989,000 and Saturday’s result followed a successful autumn interstate trip highlighted by a G3 Irwin Stakes victory at Morphettville.

“She spelled in South Australia after taking a big scalp over there,” Morton added.  “Ascot is her home track – we just walk her across the road in the morning and her preparation had been faultless.

“She’s very capable and we will aim up at the Winterbottom.”

Yarradale Stud champion War Chant (USA) sired her from Belmont winner Classic Smile (Bletchley Park) in his second book at Gidgegannup.  She was bred on lease by Queenslea Park’s Allan Morton.  War Chant has a 2yo colt and a yearling colt out of Classic Smile and the mare foaled a War Chant filly at Yarradale last Monday.

War Chant (Danzig) stands at an $11,000 (inc gst) service fee with associates Bradbury’s Luck, Gingerbread Man, Heritage and Vital Equine (Rosalee Park) all available for $4,400 (inc gst).

DAINTY TESS / Photo: Western Racepix