3 minute read

Hawkesbury trainer Daniel Robinson didn't have to think twice when he fielded a call from jockey Alysha Collett about riding Karmazone at his home meeting today.

Collett, the expatriate New Zealander, who has been in brilliant form including a recent five-timer at Newcastle, is clearly just as good doing her form as she is booting home winners.

"Alysha won a similar race at Hawkesbury last Sunday week (on Peekays Legacy) when Karmazone came from well back to finish fifth," Robinson said after his gelding had regained winning form in the Royal Richmond Hotel Benchmark 64 Handicap (1800m).

"She said she had picked out Karmazone , having noticed he had run the best sectionals and was keen to ride him.

"Alysha's brother Jason rode Karmazone once last year when placed on the Kensington track, so I was happy to oblige and give her the mount.

"She certainly didn't let us down with a lovely ride."

Robinson, an accomplished horseman who along with his wife Alexandra runs their DPR Breaking business, was understandably thrilled to get his now Eurozone five-year-old back into the winning list.

The couple paid $27,000 for Karmazone on spec at the 2017 Adelaide yearling sale, and took such a shine to him that they decided to race him themselves.

"He's a real gentleman; a delight to do anything with and he tries all the time," Robinson said.

"We have a real soft spot for him. Ali was holding back tears when he won."

Collett's ground-saving ride today on Karmazone ($6) undoubtedly was the difference between victory and defeat.

Even though the pace was moderate, she had him travelling comfortably and stayed near the inside om straightening rather than search for wider runs.

Once she was able to get Karmazone into the clear, he responded gamely and stuck his head out where it counted to edge out fellow Hawkesbury rival, Garry White's My Girl Ruby ($10), in a tense finish.

The $2.60 favorite Bob, after jockey Sam Clipperton made a bold mid-race move to take up the running, was third.

Karmazone took his record to three wins and four placings from 17 starts, and boosted his prizemoney tally to $91,855.

Robinson is eyeing another Hawkesbury assignment; a Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1800m) at the club's final meeting of the season (Godolphin Family Fun Day) on Sunday, July 11.

No prizes for guessing who will be first in line for the ride!