Victoria on cards for in-form Storyville

Perth mare Storyville has booked her ticket to the Melbourne autumn carnival after recording the fourth black-type win of her career with a determined victory at Ascot on Saturday.

The four-year-old carried 60kg and, with a tactically astute ride from William Pike, proved too strong in the $125,000 Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m), defeating Secret Attraction and Luvnwar.

“We had a chat before the race and I said, well it would be nice to be up fourth or fifth and he said, I prefer riding her a bit quieter than that. Next thing he’s in front,” co-trainer Alana Williams said.

“She’s led and won over 1200m so she can do it, but we thought she’d be suspect at a mile leading.

“She’s obviously got a lot stronger and she’s had a really good prep.”

The win was the sixth run of a productive campaign for the daughter of Overshare, who also struck trouble late in the Group 1 Railway Stakes and was beaten less than two lengths in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes and the Listed Crawford Stakes.

At this stage the plan is for two Melbourne runs, beginning in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield on February 21 before the Group 3 Matron Stakes at Flemington on March 7.