Dixie’s Boy here to stay
DIXIE’S BOY delivered a courageous frontrunning exhibition in Devonport on Sunday to leave his trainer John Keys with no doubt the gelding will make it as a stayer.
The four-year-old gelding led but was given no peace and when the pressure was applied at the business end of the race, he dug deep to keep his rivals at bay in a maidenclass one over 1880 metres.
“He never got a moment’s peace in front, but he still kept giving when it counted,” Keys said.
“He has still got a lot to learn, but he’s improving all the time. He’s just won a maiden and that was our first goal, so now we have to see what he can do when he gets up in grade.
“I’ve always thought he would stay and that’s why he went around in the Tassie Derby. We’ll just keep plodding along and see where he goes but I’m confident staying is his go.”
Keys is also considering a gear change for Dixie’s Boy. “We raced him in a visor and we took it off, but David (Pires) suggested we put it back on because the horse is waiting for the other horses to get to him and a visor should prevent that from happening.”
Keys bred Dixie’s Boy from Jettadan, a mare he raced seven years ago.
“Jettadan had ability but she was a barrier rogue and that’s why she was retired to stud after only three starts.”
Jettadan won a maiden at her third start after which she refused to go into the barrier leaving Keys with no option but to retire the mare to stud.
Dixie’s Boy is her second foal and first to race. ORANGE Roughie finally broke the drought for his part-owner Chris Shaw who has been waiting a long time
to taste the winning feeling. The gelding had performed well without recording a victory but his trainer, Stephen Shaw, said there was no substitute for winning.
“My brother Chris bred this horse and he’s been ever so patient, so it’s great that he has finally broken through,” Shaw said.
“The horse was placed 10 times from 17 starts, so he deserved this win.
“He is a very difficult horse to train, and I must thank his jockey Bulent Muhcu because he rides him in all of his work, and he has his hands full every time he works him.”
Muhcu had Orange Roughie ($2.20 fav) settled fifth and one-off with cover while Gee Gees Keylargo ($31) led with Pompeia ($10) keeping him company to the top of the home straight. Olympic Honour claimed the leaders but when Muhcu called on Orange Roughie for an effort he quickly put the result beyond doubt. SILKSTONE led throughout to win a 0-64 handicap over 1150m and register his second win in the space of three days.
The Adam Trindertrained Silkstone snared the double courtesy of a race in March in which the gelding finished second but was awarded the win after the first horse across the line, Fighting Phoenix, was later disqualified due to a positive swab.
Silkstone has flown under the radar since he arrived in Trinder’s care in January.
He won at his first start in the state and has since won twice more and been placed five times from eight outings.
(DIXIE’S BOY) NEVER GOT A MOMENT’S PEACE IN FRONT, BUT HE STILL KEPT GIVING WHEN IT COUNTED. HE HAS STILL GOT A LOT TO LEARN DIXIE’S BOY TRAINER JOHN KEYS