by Mike Curry

Grand Journey held off a desperate charge from runner-up Yuro in the closing strides to win the $471,962 Schweppes WATC Derby (Aus-G1) by a head on Sunday at Ascot in Perth.

Trained by David Brideoake, the three-year-old Good Journey filly became the seventh filly in the last 14 years to win both the Western Australia Oaks (Aus-G3) and the WATC. Derby. Grand Journey won the Western Australia Oaks on March 29 at Ascot and could make her next start in the AJC Australian Oaks (Aus-G1) on April 30 at Royal Randwick.

“She is still in the Oaks and we have three weeks before that race, so we’ll see how she pulls up,” said Brideoake, who also is a co-owner of Grand Journey.

Key Dynasty went to the lead in the WATC Derby with Grand Journey tracking the pace under jockey William Pike in the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race. Grand Journey launched her winning bid when roused with about 600 meters remaining and got an early jump on Yuro, who closed with a rush in the stretch.

Grand Journey was fully extended to fend off Yuro’s late bid in a thrilling finish. She completed the distance in 2:28.75 on turf rated as good.

“I may have gone a bit early on her but I knew they were all in traffic behind me, so it turned out the right move,” Pike said

Star Encounter, runner-up in the Western Australia Oaks, rallied from far back on the turn to finish third.

Bred in Australia by L. E. King, Grand Journey is out of the Flying Spur mare Grand Prospect.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor