First SW for Preferment - Dunwoody Wins VRC St Leger

Media Release - Saturday April 29

Three-year-old gelding Dunwoody called upon all his staying reserves as he lead from barrier to box under in-form rider Jordan Childs to land the Listed VRC St Leger (3000m) at Sandown on Saturday as the $61 outsider of the field.

Jordan Childs has Dunwoody bowling along at the head of affairs as they cause an upset in the Listed VRC St Leger (3000m) at Sandown  Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Trainer Matt Cumani agreed the win in the $300,000 race came as something of a shock, but said he went into the race with a plan to be in front shortly after the start with the son of Preferment and hopefully still be there at the finish.

“It was of course a bit of surprise at those odds, but we came here with a plan to lead as Jordie (Childs) is a brilliant front-running rider,” Cumani said.

“He’s the sort of horse you’d want to go to war with. He would be your charger because he’s just big and strong and he just keeps going.”

Advertisement

Despite knowing he would stay a trip, Cumani said he originally wanted the St Leger, which was shifted from Anzac Day at Flemington, run at 2400m and not the 3000m it ultimately became.

“Funny enough, they (Racing Victoria) canvassed opinion as to what we wanted to do and we were keen to lead in this race, so I was actually a bit apprehensive going up to 3000m when it was switched to Sandown,” he said.

“I thought if we we’re going to make a bold move third-up that perhaps 2400m would be better, but it’s worked really well here today.”

Dunwoody looked likely to be collared inside the final 200m mark when challenged by the $2.90 favourite Midnight Glow, but rallied to fend off all challengers and score by three-quarters of a length from runner-up Highland Blaze, with Midnight Glow third.

Dunwoody is the first stakes winner for Brighthill Farm stallion Preferment. The four-time Group One winning son of Zabeel is also the sire of stakes performers Smirk and Tap Dancer.

Out of the four-time winning Street Cry mare Queen Ouija, Dunwoody was bred by Yulong Investment NZ Ltd, with the prominent breeding operation shareholders in young stallion Preferment.

Yulong sold him as a yearling for just $5,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale.

Queen Ouija has a yearling filly and weanling colt by exciting young Yulong sire Alabama Express. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Vrc St Leger LR 3000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Soft(5) Time: 3:14.73
1
Dunwoody
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Queen Ouija (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
2
0.8
Highland Blaze
- 3g Highland Reel (IRE) x Bells Of Troy (AUS) (Clangalang (AUS))
Tnr: Jackson Pallot Rdr: Carleen Hefel 58
3
1.6
Midnight Glow
- 3g Sebring (AUS) x Midnight Fantasy (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: J P Salanitri Rdr: Patrick Moloney 58
Sebring
4
1.7
Nightsun
- 3g Tosen Stardom (JPN) x Galivant (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: J Bowditch 58
5
2.9
Roaring Engine
- 3g Reliable Man (GB) x Arapaho Miss (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
6
4.7
Highland Hill
- 3g Highland Reel (IRE) x Orcym (AUS) (Orpen (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
7
7.7
Winning Bid
- 3f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Anchor Bid (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: W Egan 56
8
12.7
Pulveriser
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Yulong Venus (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Bobbin Rdr: H Coffey 58
9
13.4
Musgrave
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x No Finer Dame (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
10
18.4
Final Overture
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Hot In Pink (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: D L Turner 58
11
58.4
Kentucky Nick
- 3g American Pharoah (USA) x The Nickster (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: J Mott 58
More Reading...
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.