New acquisition Lickety Split storms to provincial heat victory

Former David Harrison galloper Lickety Split scored a sharp first-up win for his new stable, claiming Tuesday’s Skyracing.TV Provincial Championship Series Heat (1240m) in Albany.

Having not raced since December last year, the Mt Hallowell Stud-owned Lickety Split settled midfield in running for jockey Alan Kennedy and dug deep once he hit the front in the home straight.

Lickety Split won by a length in the end from early leader Little Punga while $2.40 favourite Apollo struck trouble in the run home and filled third place.

It was an eye-catching performance from Lickety Split, who jumped a $20 chance on the tote, in his first appearance for Albany trainer Roy Rogers. The result also ended a 620-day winning drought, the Magnus gelding having last winning a no metro-win race at Belmont in July, which was a start after running eighth in the listed Belmont Guineas.

Rogers will saddle up talented two-year-old Dark Assault in this Saturday’s listed $150,000 Perth Stakes (1100m).

Dark Assault ran fourth in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic at Pinjarra in February and Rogers will be looking for a strong performance at Ascot this Saturday to secure his place in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate next month.

Kennedy finished the eight-race card at Percy Spencer Racecourse with a double after he saluted in the last with Helms Gate. Also having his first start for trainer Jo-Anne Leeson, Helms Gate paid $32 after storming home from last on the corner to grab Lady Stingray and hold off Scotty Too Hotty in the shadows of the post in the final race.

Helms Gate started awkwardly and lumped 60kg as top weight on his way to a eighth career win.

Earlier in the day top WA trainer Adam Durrant and hoop Kyra Yuill had a winning double with Ruby Jean and Doc Friar.

Doc Friar came from last on the corner to win by two lengths in the Iron Jack Classic (1900m) while Ruby Jean was the only horse to run the final 600m in under 36 seconds as she exploded late to break her maiden status over 1240m in race one.