3 minute read
He may be a 3yo who has just won his fourth race but Cornelian Bay looms as a horse for the future. It’s not how many races he has won but the way he goes about it. At both his starts this campaign, Cornelian Bay ($4.60 to $3.40) has looked susceptible but he’s found a way, mainly through his explosive burst of speed.
At Devonport on Sunday, he began fairly, settled midfield, and was held up momentarily in the home straight but then finished quickly to overhaul the opposition, his last 100 metres were spectacular, coming from what seemed to be a hopeless position to win the BM 64, 1150m carrying 60.5kg. Trainer Leanne Gaffney has already stated she hopes to aim Cornelian Bay at some of the better races during the summer carnival and from what he's showing at the moment he may well measure up.
Cornelian Bay is bred to be smart being by Needs Further from the former classy race mare Rebel Bride, herself a winner of 14 races including the Bow Mistress Stakes twice, and the Vamos Stakes and the way he finishes off his races it seems like 1600m will suit him perfectly with some more experience.
Sunday turned into a case of deja vu for Gaffneynwho two weeks ago landed a double with a Cornelian Bay and Duncannon, the two horses repeated the dose when Duncannon made it a race-to-race double, leading all the way to win the Thai Imperial Class 1, 1350m.
The 4yo did what most horses can't do, win a maiden and class one in consecutive races. From the outside gate, David Pires took Duncannon ($6.00 to ($4.60) straight to the front and from then on never looked like being beaten.
After a frustrating run of five minor placings, Duncannon has now posted two wins from only nine starts.
Meeting highlights
Earlier in the day, two first-starters showed they could measure up to better class with debut wins.
Golden Meadow ($3.30 to $3.50) stepped out in the Lending4U Maiden and hit the line well to win by 3/4 length from She Plays Games with the heavily backed Kireina Marubrah ($6.50 to $3.10) running into third.
By Wordsmith x Beryl Bee, Golden Meadow is trained at Brighton by Stuart Gandy and was ridden by Siggy Carr. The filly had won both her trial starts leading to her debut and looks a nice type.
Youngster Red Sphere was heavily supported firming from $6.50 into $3.70 and led all the way to land some good wagers in the Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1009m. Although getting a little weary at the finish, Red Sphere lasted to win by a short neck over Bellesario with Flying Billie third.
Red Sphere (Stratosphere x Redress) was also coming off winning trial form, the 2yo is trained at the track by Adam Trinder and was ridden a heady race by Troy Baker who rated the filly perfectly after jumping well from barrier one.
" He's a nice progressive horse, I'm just looking to race him once or twice so he's fully educated in time for the 3yo classic races," Trinder said.
Jockey turned trainer Yassy Nishitani looks to have found the key to 5yo Hot Relation who was heavily backed to run the $2.60 favourite and come from well back to make it two wins in a row in last of the day, the Hope In A Suitcase Class 3, 1350m
Hot Relation had raced 30 times for two wins and 10 minor placings before joining the Nishitani stable where he unbeaten in two starts.
Nishitani said that Hot Relation is now enjoying his racing and that is certainly showing in the results.
Hot Relation completed a riding double for Siggy Carr and closed the gap in the race for the jockeys premiership. With leader Brendon Mccoull riding interstate, Carr is now only two behind.
Mccoull leads with 45 wins, Carr has 43 and David Pires 41.
Carr's partner Troy Baker also rode a double to share the riding honours and make the long trip home a pleasant one.
