Champion trainer Lou Luciani made his thoughts exactly clear after his untapped galloper Almohad proved too good for his rivals, in the $50,000 Auto Classic Handicap (1800m) at Ascot on New Years Day.

Lou Luciani was incensed that one of the form horses in the state Almohad ($4.00) was made first emergency for the $400,000 BMW Perth Cup, and RWWA Handicapper’s did not use their discretionary powers available to them.

Almohad was positively ridden by big race hoop Jason Whiting, finding the one, one trailing position before making his bid for victory on the turn for home and drawing away for a dominant win over the race favourite Inarticulate.

Luciani passionately declared that he believed Almohad would have done a similar job if he contested the Perth Cup later in the afternoon.

Almohad will now be freshened before being set for the south west cups circuit, with the Pinjarra and Bunbury Cups looking well within his reach.

Inarticulate got a long way back with 58.5kg and was unable to reel in the lighter weighted Almohad, but lost no admirers with his defeat.

What they said “It is a pretty hollow feeling. It’s nice to see the horse go out and win like he did. That’s exactly what the horse would have done in the Perth Cup.” Winning trainer Lou Luciani said following the win

Numbers 6-2-3-9-1 Margins 2 x 1 ¾ x 2 ½ Time 1.47:59 (35.34)

Winners Breeding – Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) – Princess D’or (Dieu D’Or)