Rising galloper Big Bada Boom makes smart return to racing for Albany trainer Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers tasted success as racing returned to Ascot on Saturday, with Big Bada Boom adding to his impressive record.

Big Bada Boom resumed in the best possible fashion, winning the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) but Rogers’ two star youngsters Hoi An and Heavenly Waters were both unplaced in the three-year-old feature race later in the day.

Talented fillies Hoi An and Heavenly Waters resumed from spells in the $100,000 Crown Perth 3YO Classic (1000m), to kickstart their summer carnival campaigns.

Heavenly Waters jumped an $89 chance and led for jockey Lucy Warwick but faded in the run home to finish last, beaten by 4.2 lengths.

Stewards said Heavenly Waters was bumped near the 200m and became unbalanced.

Hoi An was reluctant to load into the barrier before the start and then settled last in running for jockey Shaun O’Donnell.

They made up some ground in the run home and finished 11th, beaten 3.1 lengths by the winner Liwa.

Earlier in the day, however, Rogers scored victory with rising middle-distance galloper Big Bada Boom.

Big Bada Boom broke his maiden status in Albany in December last year and won five straight races, including a graduation race at Ascot.

The five-year-old returned to racing without a trial and settled on speed before grinding past leader Big Screen in the final 200m under the vigour of Brad Rawiller to win by 0.3 lengths.

It was a sixth victory in 10 career starts for the promising gelding.

Fellow Albany galloper Bragwell finished a strong third in the same race, making it consecutive minor placings for the Steve Wolfe runner this campaign.

Veteran Luke’s Gold, prepared by Rogers, finished second to Kissonallforcheeks in the Crown Sports Bar Handicap (1400m) in a strong return to racing.

O’Donnell had the nine-year-old near last before he sprinted home strongly to go down by 0.9 lengths.