Big Dan cruises to win
Gelding set for spell after victory
RACING: Strapping four-yearold Big Dan The Man is bound for the spelling paddock after ending his consistent campaign with a well-deserved Clifford Park victory on Saturday.
Big Dan The Man ($2.60 fav) was finally rewarded for his honesty with an all-the-way breakthrough win in the Maidah Equipment Repairs Pty Ltd Maiden Handicap (1000m).
The Tycoon Ruler gelding found the line solidly for jockey Bec Williams to see off a brief challenge from runner-up Red Monkey ($4) by 11⁄2 lengths.
Outsider Dancing Angel ($61) was another 31⁄2 lengths back third.
Trainer Michael Frappell prepares Big Dan The Man for his parents Bob and Maree who bred the Clear Mountain galloper.
“He’s been doing a good job and he deserved the win today,” Michael said of Big Dan The Man’s effort following second placings at his two previous outings.
“I thought he was beaten by a pretty good horse last start that raced in a Stakes race in town today.
“So it made the form look pretty good.”
Trainer Ben Currie posted career win number 501 when Magic By Design justified her confident support with a decisive victory in the Tony Murray Building & Renovations Class 1 Handicap (1110m).
After firming in official betting from $5 to $2.70, Magic By Design ripped to a 2 1⁄2-length victory for Nozi Tomizawa over Squeak’s Boy ($15) who found the line gamely.
The four-year-old’s win continued a good week for Tomizawa who racked up his 500th career win aboard Captain Crumpet at Clifford Park the previous Saturday.
Magic By Design presented him with the second leg of a Saturday two-track double after he scored earlier on Explosive Evie for trainer Tony Sears at Beaudesert.
Punters were on the money when Unique Magic ($2.80 fav) turned in one of the night’s best performances with a storming finish for jockey Les Tilley to win the BK Hire Class 3 Handicap (1300m).
The Denman filly followed her fighting win previously at Ipswich with a 31⁄2-length victory over Mr Chow ($4.80) for trainer Ducky Baker.
Apprentice Baylee Nothdurft bounced back from an eventful week with a well judged ride to get Dylan’s Luck ($2.25 fav) back into the winner’s circle for trainer Lindsay Hatch in the Provincial Distributors Benchmark 75 Handicap (1000m).
Nothdurft was involved in a Clifford Park trackwork spill on Tuesday which left jockey Todd Banks with a fractured upper arm and facial injuries.