Dark Wanderer’s cup date
UNBEATEN four-year-old Dark Wanderer will be set for next year’s Devonport Cup following the gelding’s effortless win in a benchmark 74 handicap over 1650 metres at Spreyton on Sunday.
Dark Wanderer ($1.45 fav) went into the event a winner of his three previous starts but it was clearly his toughest assignment as he was stepping up to 1650m for the first time and he was racing well out of his grade.
But the Sarah Cottontrained gelding made light of the task, leading throughout to score by almost three lengths from Shewearsthepants with Mr Churchill over a length away third.
Cotton said the COVID-19 shutdown had severely hindered the horse’s preparation but was thrilled with the way the horse had delivered at his only two starts this time in.
“I had plans for the horses but when we were shut down it all went pear-shape (program) but he has adapted to where we have had to place him and what he did today has convinced me we can move towards the Devonport Cup in January,” Cotton said.
“After he won a month ago here in Devonport, I started to think about the Devonport Cup, and this confirmed it.
“I’ll give him a break because he’s been up quite a while and I’ll map out a plan heading towards the cup.”
Dark Wanderer began brilliantly and rider Siggy Carr was content to allow the gelded son of Arlington to roll forward and set a solid tempo.
Despite the strong pace, the rider of Kanji, Mehmet
Ulucinar, charged forward midrace to attack for the lead that Carr refused to surrender.
Turning for home Carr gave Dark Wanderer more rein and he bounded clear and was being eased down on the line to score as he liked.
“I’ve ridden this horse in all of his starts and he just gets better with every run,”
Carr said. “He has a very high cruising speed and he has a wonderful action, so the sky could be the limit.” SPREYTON trainer Leanne Gaffney has always had a decent opinion of her four-yearold mare Elisavet ($2.25 fav) and she lived up to punters’ expectations by easily winning a maiden-class one over 1650m.
Elisavet had finished second at her previous two outings this time in but with champion jockey Brendon McCoull in the saddle she always looked the winner.
McCoull had the mare settled fourth with cover until the home straight where the daughter of Foxwedge put the result beyond doubt.
Elisavet defeated fast-finishing Gee Gees Magic Man and a game Huon Chief.
“This mare is very honest and while that was only her second win, she has been very consistent,” Gaffney said.