Racing: Two from two for Proud Hero

Karnup trainer Grant Williams and Bob Peters were back in the spotlight after developing gelding Proud Hero took honours and his fast-finishing stablemate Knightlike took a third place in two separate races at Belmont Park’s opening meeting on Saturday.

Williams and Peters dominated the Ascot season through the deeds of WA Derby and Oaks Champion Dreamaway and appear to have another nice group of youngsters coming through the system that will represent the stable well during the winter months.

Picture: Grant Williams with another of his charges, Tranquility

Proud Hero was a fair distance from his rivals last Saturday, but under the urging of jockey William Pike he ran home strongly to score a hard-fought victory over Wild Charger by a short-neck with Solsay third.

This race brought up his second win in succession after a comfortable maiden win at Pinjarra on April 26.

Williams indicated post-race that Proud Hero still does a few things wrong in his races, which he said he will have to sort out.

But he said he was pleased by the horse’s overall performance and particularly the win.

Knightlike was near-last and a distance from his rivals approaching the turn in his Belmont run, but was full of running to the post to be placed third behind Sonny Biscay.

He is a promising type by Viscount with one win and two placings from three career starts and a maiden city victory within reach.

Karnup mare Mabel Grace repaid loyal punters when she broke through for an easy all-the-way victory in the Ocean To Outback Handicap over 1600m.

The daughter of Kendel Star had run minor placings at her previous three starts, but in this grade she proved far too strong for her rivals and never looked in danger of defeat.