Gelding returns to form with impressive victory
Punters were on the money when they earmarked Toowoomba five-year-old Publishing Power for a return to the winner’s stall in Saturday’s David & Paul Winter Dalby Newmarket (1200m) at Bunya Park.
Publishing Power ($1.90 fav) relished his return from tougher Saturday city company to deliver trainer Ben Currie his first Dalby Newmarket victory which he shared with the gelding’s Charleville-based owner and breeder David Power.
After enjoying a charmed trailing run behind the race speed for jockey Beau Appo, Publishing Power wore down his rivals in the home straight to post his eighth career win by 3⁄4 length.
Tycoon Zip ($7) held on valiantly for second with Red Letter Day ($120) another 3⁄4 length back third.
Currie said the return to provincial grade paved the way for Publishing Power’s bounce back to winning form but it wasn’t without some concerns.
“I was a little bit concerned about the firm track for him which he’s not really suited on,” Currie said.
“He put a few good wins on the board earlier on but he’s been struggling a bit of late in open company in town and this was definitely a good race for him to put another win on the board.”
Classy Eagle Farm gelding Straturbo ($4.20) helped continue a perfect return to the saddle for apprentice Nick Keal when they raced to a comfortable victory in Saturday’s Michael & Kelly Lightning Handicap.
Straturbo ($4.20) vindicated premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan’s decision to send the former Sydney-sider west for the 800m dash with a twolength victory over Prime Target ($6).
Chinchilla nine-year-old
Bagger Chance ($23) was a nose back third.
Saturday’s win was Straturbo’s 10th which includes two Listed successes.
The victory was also Keal’s third from three rides since resuming riding the previous weekend following an 18-month injury-enforced break.
Keal went on to make it four straight when he combined with trainer Tony Sears to take out the Susan Jacobs Photography Class 3 Plate (1200m) with Real Supremacy.
GLEN McCULLOUGH
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