Keep Ita Mystery benefited from swift sectionals set by Sinful Living to blouse out his rivals in the MCA Hcp (1000m) at Ascot on the weekend.

Jockey Chris Parnham settled the son of War Chant (USA) worse than midfield before giving the leading division six lengths and a beating in the straight.  He clocked 58.17s which was the fastest time recorded over 1000m at Ascot since Premium Choice (I’m All The Talk) ran 57.81s for trainer Tony Triscari on January 4.

Keep Ita Mystery is trained by Luke Fernie for a Ladies Syndicate managed by his sister Jemma.  And there’s a female factor going back to his breeder Ellie Giles (Korilya Stud) and vendor Eva Highley (Willow Dale Farm) who sold him (as agent) for $65,000 at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions.

Saturday’s victory over Pin Deep (Deep Field) and Golden Fighter (Sooboog) at the Irish-themed meeting was also timely for Fernie’s stable foreman Brian Carey who hails from Limerick.  “Luke replaced the blinkers with a visor and he looks a better chaser rather than keeping up with the leaders,” Carey said.  “There was plenty of speed on paper and Chris let the race unfold before running over the top of them.”

Keep Ita Mystery completed a winning treble in the first four races for Parnham.  “He travelled nicely and I always felt he would be right in it,” the in-form hoop explained.  “He flowed into the race at the right time and finished off impressively down the outside.”

Former Yarradale Stud stallion War Chant (Danzig) sired him from Pinjarra maiden winner Mystery Affair who is a half-sister to LR Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) winner Flying Affair (Heritage).  She foaled Keep Ita Mystery first-up and her second is unraced 2yo Where's Timmy (War Chant) who is prepared by Tony Triscari for a partnership that includes Fernie and key client Kim Doak.

KEEP ITA MYSTERY in cerise and white colours wins at Ascot / Photo: Western Racepix)