Duchess a class act for Geisel Park

Sunday, 23 July 2023 | Course broadcaster Darren McAullay got it right on Saturday when he called Duchess Of Gossip a ‘class act’ at the finish of another procession in the Quayclean Hcp (1200m).

Belmont in July isn’t normally a benchmark for black-type at Ascot in summer, nevertheless, the 3yo filly is destined for much better things next season for Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg and trainer Dion Luciani.

Duchess Of Gossip (3f All American – Regal Gossip by Dylan Thomas) has only beaten once in five starts during her current winter prep and her latest win was a cakewalk despite jumping from the cheap-seat of a 13-horse field.

“Only bad luck beat her making it a sequence of five in a row,” stable foreman Ian Glading explained.  “She’s got gears and Willie (Pike) summed up the situation and sent her across to sit outside the speed.  That’s why he’s the best jockey in WA.”

The edge in class was palpable when Pike pushed the button at the top of the straight.  Duchess Of Gossip accelerated to put an ever-widening margin on the leader Lexington City (City Place) which suggests she will only get better over a longer trip than 1200m

Saturday’s win (Photo / Western Racepix) was the 600th for her sire All American in Australia.

There has been another 101 in various jurisdictions including 28 in Hong Kong and another 28 in the USA after a one-off shuttle to Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky.

Duchess Of Gossip is a homebred for Rigg in partnership with Kevin Johnson and Simon Lill and she has earned $237,192 including Westspeed bonuses of $116,950.

Her dam is a half-sister to Peters Investments-bred Cohort (LR Belmont Guineas & LR Belmont Classic) and the Stakes-placed fillies Dark Miss (More Than Ready) and Red Amber (Dylan Thomas).

Good as she is, Duchess Of Gossip will be rated below Geisel Park stakes-winner Laced Up Heels (Toronado) when the 3yo filly ratings for 2022-23 are released next month.

Laced Up Heels also defeated Lexington City at Ascot last October before stitching up star filly Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m).  They are scheduled for a Flemington showdown in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) on September 16.

All American (Red Ransom) stands for a $4,400 service fee at Geisel Park alongside newcomer Aysar (Deep Field) at $8,800 and Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) at $8,250.  All fees (inc GST).