A solid weekend for the stable kicked off at Eagle Farm on Saturday with So Dapper’s strong return to form, in leading all the way in the DD GROUP INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARK 75 Handicap over 1800m.
After not handling the slippery Doomben last start after a good return from a 12 month long injury-enforced layoff, the son of So You Think relished the firmer track and the tempo of the 1800m over which he had previously performed so well against good stakes performers in Paradee and Zaydani.
He and jockey Larry Cassidy had formed a good partnership when he was a younger horse, and after jumping from a kind draw, Larry had him to the lead immediately, rolling comfortably all the way, and even snuck a cheeky peek behind prior to the turn. From there he was able to lengthen away early in the straight to the centre of the spacious track, and whilst for an instant looked to be in danger from the runner up Too Much Class inside him, he clicked up a gear when he saw her and was strong to the line to win by a 3/4 length in the time of 1.50.31s.
Interviewed on track, Sheila Laxon indicated that she and John Symons thought that he could now go on to fulfill the promise he does show as a stayer, and being only 3rd up from a spell, let’s hope that he can continue the form well into his preparation.
Congratulations to the Esprit Racing team, and to owners Cameron and Rodney Bain.