No drama on Sunday for Alice Springs trainer-jockey Dan Morgan
Thunder more than likely spooked the Dan Morgan-trained Don’t Be Dramatic before he bolted as he made his way to the gates for his first career start at Alice Springs last weekend.
Jockey Casey Hunter was unable to control the three-year-old gelding, and he was scratched.
On Sunday, Don’t Be Dramatic finally debuted, and he could not have been more convincing after claiming the honours against Benchmark 54 opposition over 1000m at Pioneer Park.
Hunter was booked to ride Barry Cooke’s Bean Shoppin’, so it was Morgan in the hot seat, with the son of Super One ($21) hitting the front by the 800m before running his rivals off their legs.
“It was pretty testing conditions last Saturday, especially for a young horse having its first start – he just had a bit of a fright,” Morgan said on Sunday.
“Thankfully, we managed to avoid all that today – he did his job well and was the prefect little professional.
“No dramas at all, really pleased with him – he was terrific.
“It was probably a mixture of a few things last week to be honest.
“His first start, a bit of excitement, first time at the races, not really sure what was going on.
“Then add the weather, the thunder didn’t help him either because he can be quirky.”
Morgan was confident of being competitive against maiden company last week, but he didn’t feel the same way on Sunday against horses with winning form.
He just hoped Don’t Be Dramatic would run well and was pleased that he lifted over the concluding 100m after showing signs of tiredness.
“He jumped slightly slow, I gave him a little clip up and he just did it on his own,” Morgan said.
“I just hope he pulls up sound and happy, and we’ll go from there.
“It’s early days, but there’s a couple of nice races coming up for him and Cup Carnival isn’t far away.
“With these three-year-old features available, you’re silly not to have a crack at them – especially when you’ve got a nice young horse and that is definitely going to be on our minds going forward.”
Meanwhile, Hunter celebrated back to back wins aboard Greg Connor’s Vitesse Breeze ($2.50) when the six-year-old gelding – renowned as a middle distance performer – outclassed his four Class 2 rivals over 1200m.
Sitting three deep outside Jackset and Majestical behind the early pace-setters Rupert’s Delight ($2.50) and Taorima Duchess, Vitesse Breeze eye-balled the leaders at the home turn before scooting away.
The son of Bullett Train, who had never raced over 1200m in 32 previous starts before last week’s miraculous win in 0-58 grade, cruised home to finish 2.2 lengths clear of Paul Gardner’s Majestical ($19) and Kevin Lamprecht’s Rupert’s Delight.
Viney’s stablemates Rock Of Kryptonite ($2.40) and Square Cut ($2.70) produced a tremendous 350m battle in the home straight before the former pipped the latter by a nose in 0-70 grade over 1100m.
Jessie Philpot, the winning jockey, has partnered the son of Fastnet Rock in each of his nine Alice Springs starts resulting in three wins, three seconds and three thirds.
Kerry Petrick’s in-form Throw At Da Stumps, a $1.15 favourite with top horse racing bookmakers leading into Sunday’s open 1000m handicap, was a late scratching after supposedly injuring itself in its stall prior to the race.
It is believed that the five-year-old gelding had a bloody nostril after apparently hitting its head.
That opened the door for the other four runners with Petrick’s $11 fancy The Girl’s Boy, ridden by apprentice Ianish Luximon, saluting from stablemate Kikuyu.
Only 1.2 lengths separated the quartet at the finish, with every runner having the opportunity to seal victory over the concluding 200m before The Girl’s Party, a four-year-old gelding by Rageese, swooped late on the outside to win by 0.3 lengths.