Millionaire mare sends warning shot to interstate rivals in first hit-out following coming-of-age campaign

Millionaire mare Alsephina sent an ominous warning to interstate rivals with a smooth success at Tuesday’s Pinjarra trials ahead of a lucrative interstate mission. The six-year-old began brightly and was immediately amongst the pace in the 1000m straight heat, before being restrained to sit just behind Powerful and Desennea. 400m from home, rider Clint Johnston-Porter spied a gap between the two and the daughter of Star Turn poked her head through to take the front with 200m to go. Merely nursed to the line, Alsephina coasted home to score by a neck from a pushed-out Vast Art and late-closing Planet Cash. Co-trainer Grant Williams was elated with the hit-out and said West Aussies would see his star mare once more before the raid. “I was rapt with her trial and Clint was really happy with the way she felt,” Williams said. “As long as everything is in order, she’ll trial again at Belmont in three weeks. She’s racing on the first of March in the Guy Walter Stakes, then the Coolmore.” The $300,000 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) is a Group 2 event run at New South Wales’ Randwick circuit, while the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic (1500m) is held at Rosehill a fortnight later. TABtouch has Alsephina a $12 elect in early markets for the Coolmore, with unbeaten three-year-old Autumn Glow $6 favourite ahead of fellow Chris Waller-trained filly Lady Shenandoah at $6.50. “Last time, she had lots of condition on and this time we just have to tick her over and have a trouble-free prep,” Williams said. “Her condition and feet are great, and she’s heading over east this time in better nick than last. That trip away made her.” The four-start Victorian campaign tailing 2024 was a career highlight for the flashy chestnut, winning the Stocks Stakes, placing in both the Lets Elope and Toorak Handicap, before a gallant fourth in the Empire Rose. Alongside wife Alana, the Williams training duo have dominated the opening six months of the season, already racing to 76 winners and 40 clear of their nearest rival. The partnership boasts the highest strike rate with a winner from every four starters and total prizemoney almost three times more than any other local trainer. In the last two weeks, the stable have unveiled two promising ex-East Coast conveyances in Essentric Nature and Addictive Dream. Essentric Nature was momentarily held up on the turn before unleashing a dynamite sprint from last to win at Bunbury on January 16, while Addictive Dream won in almost identical fashion at Pinjarra on Monday. Untapped three-year-old Mai Aloha, given a quiet outing at Tuesday’s trials, holds a nomination for both Ascot on Saturday and Bunbury’s Sunday Breeders’ Classic fixture alongside speedy stablemate Yorga Pride. Last Saturday’s undercard winner Sensessional and High Commission, a late scratching from Monday’s Pinjarra meeting, are amongst other expected weekend representatives for the stable.