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| Editor: Elliot Dean | | Writer: Marcus Walta | | Writer: Janet Bastow | | Photographer: Matthew Smith | |
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Danleigh Delivers Surprise Win |
Six year old gelding Danleigh surprised everyone at Moonee Valley on Friday night, taking out the Group 1 Manikato Stakes in explosive fashion. Trainer Chris Waller gave him little chance to win the major sprint event, especially since he'd never raced on the Valley track before.
Danleigh sat worse than midfield most of the race, with jockey Kerrin McEvoy getting him through a gap in the middle of the track, as a number of horses flashed home late to swallow up the leaders. His late surge saw him win the 1200m race by three quarters of a length, ahead of Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready.
$4.60 favourite Nicconi was a short head further back in third place with Peter Moody trained Wanted just missing the placings in a photo.
With 200 metres to go, 3 year old Wanted looked the winner, and set to provide Moody with an emphatic victory. But racing on the speed in the high pressure race took it's toll and he couldn't quite hold on.
It would have been an amazing win for Moody, who only entered Wanted in the race because he lost his boom galloper Black Caviar to injury. "He didn't quite get the right run in the race. He's a Group 1 horse for sure".
In the other major Friday night races, Carrara held off a fast finishing Extra Zero in the Bill Stutt Stakes, to claim an all the way win whilst Avenue was ultra impressive in the Champagne Stakes, dominating the field with Rostova and My Girl Helen making up the placings.
In Sydney, there was a boilover in the Group 1 George Main Stakes, with short priced favourite Racing To Win putting in the worst run of his career, and roughie Road To Rock taking out a surprise win. The $41 outsider flashed home to hold out second favourite Black Piranha by a half-length with 3 year old Onemorenomore not far away in third place.
Peter Snowden trained Denman was very impressive in winning the Stan Fox Stakes, with Run For Naara putting in an eye catching run for second. Mr Clangtastic was too strong in the Colin Stephen Quality and McClintock took out the Bill Ritchie Handicap.
Next week sees the official start of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival with the Turnball Stakes at Flemington. Randwick also had an impressive lineup of events with the Epsom Handicap, Spring Champion Stakes and Metropolitan.
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