New Year’s resolutions
Two progressive four-year-olds have their sights set on lucrative races in the New Year after impressive wins on the weekend. Darci Palmer and Starrybeel’s victories bolstered Go Racing’s winning streak to a dozen wins in the last month.
Racing Manager Albert Bosma couldn’t be happier, “We are certainly enjoying a great run and long may it last for our very happy owners. trainer Stephen Marsh in particular is flying at the moment.”
Darci Palmer (Darci Brahma x Flying Firebird) had an impressive maiden win at Taranaki last Friday and thoroughly deserved breaking his maiden status having finished second on three previous occasions.
“It’s good to have that first win under his belt. The result never looked in doubt from the moment the gates opened and jockey Rosie Myers said she had the field covered a long way from home.”
It was a professional front running ride from Rosie and she had Darci Palmer travelling nicely in front throughout. She had a lapful of horse at the top of the straight and he showed a good turn of foot once Rosie asked him for an effort.
“He was very strong to the line and the official margin was three lengths, but it could have been more if Rosie had really ridden him out over the concluding stages.”
Darci Palmer is likely to race next in a $27,500 rating 65 1200 metres at Ellerslie on the 16th of December, and a Special Conditions 1400 metres at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day worth $50,000, is also a profitable target.
Starrybeel (Savabeel x Starry) lived up to his star name, enjoying his second stunning win in a month, racing over ground for the first time. The Savabeel gelding stepped up to 2100 metres with Chris Johnson in the saddle.
Says Albert, “From a good barrier draw, Chris was positive out of the gates and settled him just behind the speed, three-back on the rail. “He only got into the clear with 200 metres to run, but Chris didn’t panic, got him balanced up and he showed an electric turn of foot at the end of a staying race to sweep past the front runners and win going away by half a length. It was a sensational performance. He has the potential to be a Cups horse.”
Starrybeel’s immediate goal is the Dunstan Stayers Final at Ellerslie on the 1st of January over 2200 metres worth $100,000 with one more run needed prior which is likely to be on the 8th of December at Ellerslie in a rating 72 2200 metres worth $30,000.
“We are keen to give him more experience at Ellerslie before New Year’s Day and this race fits in ideally.”