Near Record: Wilkes Pup Picture Perfect On Debut

MARK Wilkes was grizzling all day Tuesday when watching the corporate bookmakers' odds plummet about first starter Looks A Picture.

Known to “like a bet” himself, Mark watched as the price for the son of Pindari Express-Tribal Magic pup firmed from a liberal opening quote of $2.90 all the way into $1.40.

Wilkes, who bought the dog as a pup from his great mate Fred Swain, was all the time confident “his men” were behind the shortening of the price.

Looks A Picture, drawn the four, was devastating.

Soon in front at box rise, he stormed away to win be an ever-increasing 13 and-a-quarter-lengths in 19.88.

The time was just two/tenths outside the track record held by Group 1 class galloper Cash Master of 19.64, set in October 2022.

The win, as the price indicated, was not unexpected.

“He had trialled late last week in easily the best of the day,” admitted Mark.

“And, no, he is not for sale.”

Looks A Picture is out of Fred Swain's classy Albion Park winner Tribal Magic (13 wins, $46,000) a Barcia Bale-Fay's Magic litter sister to star bitch All Hands Off (22 wins, $96,000) a 29.49 Albion Park winner.

Their dam, Fay's Magic, is also dam of Group stars Respectability and Black Magic Rose.

And, Looks A Picture is a repeat of the name Mark gave a young dog he owned back in 2007 by Bombastic Shiraz-Classy Alice.

“I advised Fred to mate Tribal Magic to Pindari Express and the entire litter is showing great promise,” said Mark.

Tribal Magic has whelped a litter of seven dogs and four bitches by Fernando Bale and premier Victorian trainer Anthony Azzopardi has already bought four for clients.