Yeah Dardy Causes New Season Boilover
8 August, 2018
Thoroughbred
Yeah Dardy has upstaged hot favourite Super Maxi to take out the New Season Sprint (1000m) at Belmont this afternoon.
Having just his second start this campaign, Yeah Dardy showed he would be more than competitive in the $100,000 event after a competitive showing first-up when third to Undisclosed on July 21.
Jockey Shaun O’Donnell followed Super Maxi in running, but the favourite was never given any peace in front with It’s It sitting to his outside taking him on for the lead.
O’Donnell was able to make his run along the fence in the home straight, and picked up the favourite in the last few strides to win by a short head.
Veteran sprinter Flying Time continued his consistent form to finish third, while trainer Lindsey Smith’s other runner in the race Mr Motown was fourth.
As indicated last week by owner Barry Mc Rostie to RWWA, Caipirinha settled towards the rear of the field, as she gets set for longer races this campaign.
Winning trainer Justine Erkelens said the four-year-old had been a frustrating prospect to train, but was relieved to win a strong race with him.
“I thought 50-70m out he was just bogging down, but he lifted,” she said.
“I always knew this horse had ability, but he’s quite accident prone and he’s got a few issues.
“We are ironing them out, and we are hoping we can keep him up longer than two or three runs.”
Despite the defeat of Super Maxi, it wasn’t all bad news for the Chris Gangemi stable at Belmont this afternoon, as their latest stable acquisition Crystal Spirit won at his WA debut.
Gangemi said he had been excited to have the gelding in his stable and indicated last week he would come back a better horse after a spell.
Ridden by apprentice Jordan Turner, Crystal Spirit was given a perfect run throughout the race, settling on the back of the leader Wild Front.
Crystal Spirit then exploded clear of his rivals over the last 200m to win by three and three-quarter lengths.
Even after the impressive nature of the win, Gangemi maintained the horse would take benefit from a spell.
“We’ve obviously got a good opinion of the horse,” he said.
“He’s still going to be much better after a spell.
“He doesn’t mind the sting out of the track, and Michael wanted to give him a couple of runs.
“Hopefully he can get a Saturday win and get some prize money for the owners.”
The biggest shock of the Belmont meeting came in the Schweppes Maiden (1300m) when Lady Hawke recorded a long neck win at the odds of $151.
The Jarrad Humphries-trained mare had never been placed higher than third in her eight start career to date, but a rails hugging ride from Lucas Camilleri saw her breakthrough for her first win.
O’Donnell and William Pike both rode multiple winners at the first metropolitan meeting of the new season.
Tim Walker