“It’s been more of a surprise how well he’s running on the flat, he was initially sent over to be a jumper, so he’ll have all that ahead of him next year."
Spring staying features are looming large on the horizon for Dashing Duchess after the Kiwi-bred mare’s dominant victory in Saturday’s A$150,000 Italian Chamber of Commerce Handicap (2500m) at Moonee Valley.
“A couple of his owners came across from New Zealand to watch him today. They were thrilled to have a runner at Flemington, let alone a winner, so it’s a fantastic result for them.”
Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde had two runners in Saturday’s A$175,000 Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) and came away with a quinella by the Kiwi-bred pair of Hit The Road Jack and Dashing Duchess.
Four-year-old mare Precious Charm led throughout to score a game victory in the A$150,000 TCL Trophy (1700m) at Flemington on Oaks Day to vindicate what looked an unorthodox preparation by trainer Symon Wilde.
