Bob Peters’ bid for the Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide fell short when Arcadia Dream and First Impressions ran out of the placings, but back on home soil he gained compensation when newcomer Dezzies Dream posted a sparkling Western Australian debut in the Amelia Park Lamb Handicap (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Dezzies Dream, who recorded three wins and four placings from nine starts in New Zealand and ran third in the Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m), delivered on her pre-race hype when she got up in the last stride to edge out a luckless Pretentious Chant by a short half-head with Juendis close behind in third place.
Dezzies Dream appeared destined for an unlucky defeat after failing to get a run behind the leaders at the top of the straight, but in-form apprentice Clint Johnston-Porter persisted and persevered before successfully finding a gap and bursting his way between horses.
It was the second-leg of a double for Johnston-Porter, after, Star Exhibit, passed a staying test over 2000m to continue a top day for junior riders who combined to win five races on the eight card programme.
Aaron Mitchell shared the riding honours when Senso successfully made the jump to 1600m to maintain his unbeaten record at Belmont. The 2kg claiming jockey had the Paul Jordan-trained gelding racing outside of the leader before dashing clear inside the final 200m.
Mitchell produced a carbon-copy ride on Tradesman, who had to work hard to chase down pacesetter, Slick Talker, by half-a-length. The son of Trade Fair , who has won four of five races at Belmont, had been knocking on the door of victory after placings from his first two starts back from a long injury layoff.
Tayla Stone, fresh from taking out Albany’s leading junior rider on Friday, will not forget her first visit to Belmont Park, lifting Chasing Chaos for her boss, Steve Wolfe, in the penultimate race of the day.
The opening race went to Hit Tune, capping a fine week for trainer, Fred Kersley and owner-breeder, Neville Duncan from Oakland Park.
Hit Tune, in the hands of Paul Harvey, swept down the middle of the track to outpoint favourite, Precious Memories, by a head with debutant, Malilangwe, running a slashing third in race fastest final 600m.
Precious Memories, who started favourite after a top second to Saul’s Special 56 days ago, will strip fitter after racing wide and punching the breeze.
At Warrnambool on Thursday Duncan’s No Song No Supper won a stirring edition of the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).
Hit Tune gave Kersley his third win of the week after stable mate, Jestajingle, won at Belmont on Wednesday and Sandalwood a day later at Pinjarra.
Shinta Mani covered more ground than Bourke and Wills, but showed her fighting qualities and fitness to post successive wins for trainer, Sharon Miller.
And the Giadresco team, father Peter and son Matt, have a good one on their hands in Profit Street. The son of Viscount is unbeaten at Belmont Park and looks set for more wins at winter headquarters after finishing full of running from sixth on the corner.
Julio Santarelli