Joanne Forrest said winning her first Perth race last weekend was an experience she can’t describe or will ever forget.
Forrest’s faith was vindicated after Dark Royalty made a successful transition from provincial to city grade at Belmont.
Dark Royalty silenced any doubters when he surged to the front with a strong burst of speed inside the final 50m.
It was a bold city debut from Dark Royalty and signals he is back to his explosive best after a suspensory injury kept him out of racing for 48 weeks in 2015.
The five-year-old has been a shining light for Forrest and boosted his record to 7 wins from 16 starts with $105,965 in prizemoney.
Despite her excitement Forrest said she will let the dust settle before deciding on future plans for Dark Royalty.
“It was an amazing feeling to win in town and I wasn’t surprised by his performance,” Forrest said.
“He has been racing well in Kalgoorlie with that strong turn of foot.
“I thought it was a good time to take him to the city.
“The best part is how well he has pulled up from the run.
“What the future holds for him I’m not really sure.
“I won’t be putting any pressure or expectations on him.
“He is a good horse, but how far he goes we will see.
“I certainly won’t be getting ahead of myself.”
Meanwhile Forrest has tempered expectations on stable mate La Seine recording back-to-back wins in the Salty’s Handicap (1400m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
La Seine lumps an extra 2 ½ kg on his maiden win two weeks back when he gained a dream run to hold out luckless hot favourite, Decoy Noxious, by a head.
“He got the pie run, but has to carry extra weight with 59kg,” Forrest said.
“His work during the week was good, but this is a harder race to win.”
In a field of 10 runners, La Seine has drawn barrier seven. Natasha Faithfull has been booked for the mount.
The Craig Wright-trained, Queenie O’Lara, will have admirers after romping to a 4 ¼ length win last month.
The Blackfriars mare, to be ridden by Brad Parnham, will jump from barrier five.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli