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 May (Early) Online Sale $1,500
Seller: Ultra Thoroughbreds (as agent)
Buyer: Ian Baggs
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Ultra Thoroughbred Racing, Willowmavin
Buyer: Passed in - $ 50,000
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...
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.