3 minute read
Lightly raced mare Dramazing stamped herself as a potential 2023 Devonport Cup horse with another strong win over the cups distance on the synthetic surface in Devonport on Sunday.
In Brief
- Riding doubles for Darmanin and McCoull.
- Darmanin rates Dramazing a potential Devonport Cup contender.
- Popular jockey takes a fall in second race.
The 4YO has started just eight times scoring four wins, the past three in succession. Those three wins have been restricted to BM62 rated races, but her rider Anthony Darmanin believes she will go well beyond benchmark races.
"I can see her winning a Devonport Cup or something like that, I was in a really sticky position but when I got her to the outside, she really attacked the line, I really liked the way she knuckled down when I asked for an effort," Darmanin said.
Dramazing was considered to be the bet of the day for many punters and was always around the even money mark, starting the $2.05 favourite. She settled back in the field but once clear, stormed home to win by a length running away.
The win completed a double for 'Darma' who rode the first race winner Rock The Bowler who relished the step up to 1650m. Smashed in the betting from $2.90 into $1.65, Rock The Bowler gave early punters plenty to cheer about, racing clear to win by almost three lengths.
"I told Stevo (trainer Glenn Stevenson) to keep him to 1350m last time and I was wrong and stepping up in distance was definitely the key to him winning today.
"He didn't want to go early, he got tightened for room, but we got some luck and I really like the way he hit the line late," the winning jockey said.
Darmanin shared the days riding honours with Brendon McCoull. The champion rider scored an impressive win on Silver Persuasion ($4.20 out to $7) who broke her maiden status putting in a strong performance.
Gee Gees Cricket (Brendon McCoull) wears down Bethpage (Codi Jordan) to win a 0-62 in Devonport.
The Adam Trinder-trained filly, who has been racing consistently was never better than three or four wide. That was in contrast to McCoull's second winner for the day Gee Gees Cricket who didn't go around a horse, starting from barrier one Gee Gees Cricket raced through along the rails to land some good bets after being backed from $26 into $13.
Ethical Dilemma defied a betting drift to put up one of the best performances of the day, coming from last to win the Lending 4 U BM 76 (1150m).
The Peter Luttrell trained galloper has now won six races on the synthetic surface and has a good first-up record, but despite this, the 6YO drifted from $10 to $15 and paid better than $18 on the tote.
Longford based Luttrell is unsure where Ethical Dilemma will have his next start, but it may be in Hobart.
Local trainers dominated the program with Glenn Stevenson, Leon, Dean and Trent Wells along with Barry Campbell scoring doubles.
Popular jockey Georgie Catania looks like being sidelined for an extended period after taking a heavy tumble from Lion Academy in the second race. The horse appeared to blunder about 100m from the finish sending Catania crashing to the track.
After paramedics took all necessary precautions, Catania was taken to hospital with suspected fractures in both arms.
