Grand old performer Jesta Dreama drew first blood on the $1,500,000 raceday at Sale on Good Friday when lumping his top-weight to victory in the $150,000 Country Trainers Series Final (1600m).
The Wendy Kelly-trained 8yo son of Bon Hoffa was coming off a win at Sandown, defeating Unfair Dismissal and Electric Belle, and that trio went 1-2-3 again.
Vlad Duric has a successful association with the veteran. He was in the saddle again as Jesta Dreama defeated Unfair Dismissal (All Too Hard) by one and three-quarter lengths with Electric Belle (Power) back in third.
“Absolutely fantastic. Thrilled for this horse, the owners, and the team at home who work tirelessly with these beautiful animals,” Kelly said.
“It’s also great for Vlad. We were chatting before the race, and he said this is the track where he has his most wins. So, he knows the track well.
“He is a horse that loves racing. Generally, we space his races, and he just enjoys being in the stable. He is one of the favourites of the team.
“Vlad has clicked with him so well. It’s like watching old Bon Hoffa going around again.”
The Kelly family homebred advances his record to nine wins, ten seconds, and five thirds from 53 starts with earnings of $378,690.
Jesta Dreama is the best of seven winners from eight to race from the Rory’s Jester mare Jesta Dreamn’, a descendent of Toy Show’s sister Badine.
Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Bon Hoffa was retired with little fanfare in March after 13 seasons at stud.
His five stakes winners include Bon Aurum, who emulated his sire by winning the Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Bon Hoffa’s Group II MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Bon's A Pearla has been in rare form. After finishing third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas on March 5, she has placed in the Group III Alexandra Stakes and Group III Auraria Stakes.
