Dark Journey Breaks His Maiden at Moonee Valley

Mark Smith - Friday February 2

Tasmanian Yearling Sale graduate Dark Journey put two luckless runs behind him when opening his winning account in the Rhima Australia Maiden Plate at Moonee Valley on Friday.

No catching Dark Journey (image George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse for Jason Warren, the 3-year-old son of Needs Further led at every call to defeat the Shamus Award filly Miss Winslet by one and a quarter length with the Saxon Warrior gelding King Of Wessex two and three-quarter lengths back in third.

A first-up third at Cranbourne in December, Dark Journey was caught off the track when unplaced at his most recent start at Pakenham, after which he trialled impressively at Mornington.

Advertisement

“That’s a relief. He had a justifiable excuse at Pakenham, but he has always shown us a lot at home,” stable representative Joe Herbert said.

“He has plenty of ability and will go on with it now.

“Dan has always had confidence in the horse. He has been on him plenty of times and was pretty confident coming here today.

“He was a shrewd buy, so congratulations to Grand Syndicates, who are big supporters. They have a nice one on their hands.”

A $25,000 purchase for Grand Syndicates/John Price Bloodstock from the Armidale Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Dark Journey is the third winner from as many to race for the winning Pentire mare Rose Of Woorim.

A $26,000 purchase for Armidale Stud from the Glenlogan Park draft at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale, Rose Of Woorim is a half-sister to the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate hero Woorim (Show a Heart), who was blessed with an explosive turn of foot.

After enduring a couple of heartbreaking seasons, Rose Of Woorim was covered by Alpine Eagle in October.

Advertisment

Race Result - Rhima Australia Mdn Plate 1200m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.01
1
Dark Journey
- 3g Needs Further (AUS) x Rose Of Woorim (AUS) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
2
1.3
Miss Winslet
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Princess Titanic (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: B Shinn 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $100,000
Seller: Ultra Thoroughbred Racing, Willowmavin
Buyer: Nick Ryan Racing Pty Ltd
3
4
King Of Wessex
- 3g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Purrpussful (AUS) (Purrealist (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: John Allen 58
4
4.1
Mr Marrakech
- 3g Per Incanto (USA) x Amanjena (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Carleen Hefel 58
5
4.9
Unriddle
- 3g Encryption (AUS) x Darook Park (AUS) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 58
6
8.6
Real Wild Child
- 3f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Right Royal Rose (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: Ms R Frost Rdr: Declan Bates 56
7
10.4
Summer Night
- 3g Sooboog (AUS) x Summer Song (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: S Fliedner Rdr: H Coffey 58
8
16.4
Mr Maximo
- 3g Shalaa (IRE) x Recoinage (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ms A McCormick Rdr: Neil Farley 58
More Reading...
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Stakes Goals Ahead for Supido Mare
Astute trainer David Payne is no stranger to G1 success and has always held Supido mare Shohisha in high regard and she showed the potential of better things to come this spring when powering home to win the Benchmark 94 event over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Plus That G1 Late Bloomer
Saturday delivered another exciting instalment of early spring racing with three stakes races for 3YO’s and once again all of them were won by new first time stakes-winners that were virtually unsighted at two and we also had a new G1 winner, whose path to the top has been anything but smooth.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
More Stakes Success for Impending - Cool Memory Wins Listed Farnley
A son of Larneuk Stud's value Lonhro stallion Impending, five year old Cool Memory bolted in to claim his second stakes win and bring joy to favourite backers on a rain-drenched Saturday at Belmont Park.
Pericles Turns Back the Clock
Six year-old Street Boss (USA) gelding Pericles won the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m) two years ago in 2023 when trained by James Cummings and he repeated the effort at Randwick on Saturday, but this time he is in the care of Bjorn Baker.
Ka Ying Rising Straight to Everest Quarantine after Return Romp
Hong Kong Champion Ka Ying Rising was headed straight to quarantine to prepare for the Group I The Everest after another stunning performance when resuming for the new season on Sunday at Sha Tin.
G1 Haydock Sprint Cup Upset
Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.
Sires With Winners - Saturday September 6
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.