War Chant (USA) sired his 33rd stakes winner – and his first in Australia – when Chantski notched a narrow victory in Ascot’s LR Gimcrack Stakes (1100m).

Chantski cruised around front-runners Military Reign and Jevilla into the straight and then held off long-shot Mystic Maid by a short-neck.  “She’s an easy horse to train and wants to run,” trainer Dion Luciani said on Saturday.  “We were going to drop in behind them with an easterly forecast.  But it held up so Jerry (Noske) decided to press forward.

“She was challenged at the half-furlong but knuckled down like a nice type.  I’m proud of the horse and the rider.  Maybe we will take on the colts in the Karrakatta in a couple of weeks.”

Chantski (2f War Chant – Endesa by Marauding) won as she pleased first-up at Ascot and then got run over in the Magic Millions Classic before finishing a handy second to London Line in the LR Supremacy Stakes.

Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers stands War Chant and he kept a share in Chantski after she sold to Cliff Nock and Simon York for $60,000 at the 2014 Perth Magic Millions.  In four starts, she has earned $179,800 including a Westspeed bonus sum of $20,000.

War Chant ($311,155) has climbed into second spot behind Beneteau ($631,880) in the Australia first-season premiership.  Hinchinbrook (3rd) and Star Witness (6th) are the only other Hunter Valley stallions in the Top 10.

CHANTSKI
Yarradale filly (rails) wins the Gimcrack Stakes