Darren McAuliffe’s decision to sidestep a Northam maiden with War Matters last week and head straight to Ascot paid off in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.

War Matters was getting out to a mile for the first time and McAuliffe predicted he will keep improving over longer journeys.  “This was a better option than Northam.  The track was probably a bit too firm up there and he ran well here last month.

“He’s an exciting horse but is still working things out.  We also have to manage his legs.  He kept going shinny early on and he was standing in ice-boots in the wash bay this morning.  He can be keen but Brad (Parnham) rode him on a cotton thread today when the tempo slackened mid-race.”

War Matters is a son of fromer Yarradale Stud sire War Chant (USA) and he arrived late to defeat Canny Jack (Galah) and Yarradale-bred graduate Pull The Trigger (Patronize) who went out a $2.40 favourite following a last-start win at Ascot.

His dam Impressing Matters (Viscount) was prepared by McAuliffe to win a LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at the corresponding Melbourne Cup Day meeting in 2007.  Her first War Chant foal was LR Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) winner War Room and her most recent foal is an unnamed 2yo colt by Long Leaf.

Her half-sister Genuine Girl (Is It True) was a Listed winner of the 2008 Crystal Slipper Stakes and later foaled 2008 Lee-Steere Classic winner Destino (Bletchley Park).

Yarradale doubled up on Saturday with its 2022 Perth Magic Millions graduate Wubin Gold (Shooting To Win) defeating Yarradale graduate Malkar Pindari (Gingerbread Man) and Madam Kisses (Rommel) in the Mrs Mac's Hcp (1200m).

She is trained by Colin Webster for a partnership that includes Yarradale Stud who bred her with Dawson Stud. The 4yo mare sold for $30,000 as a yearling and Saturday’s win improved her record to 4 wins in 7 starts for prizemoney of $215,310 augmented by Westspeed Bonuses of $58,300.

Wubin Gold's dam War Of Whispers (War Chant) made headlines at the 2014 Perth Magic Millions when Yarradale Stud won a spirited bidding battle with a final bid of $250,000.  She didn’t reach the same heights as her G1 Railway Stakes-winning older half-sister Covertly (Metal Storm) but is paying her way at stud.

War Of Whispers delivered a Playing God colt at Yarradale in September.  She also has 3yo gelding Silent Armada (Merchant Navy) with Durrant Racing and he finished midfield on debut at Northam in September.

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) is standing for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee at Yarradale this season and stud manager Davy Hanratty can be contacted for bookings or further details on (08) 9574 6490 or 0429 326 904.

WAR MATTERS / Photo: Western Racepix