Dalavin wins at Dubbo for O’Mally family
Against an outstanding field, the Brett Robb-trained Dalavin made it four wins in a row at Dubbo on Sunday, taking out the inaugural Vincent Gordon Memorial Flying Handicap.
Owned by former Bourke residents, Greg O’Mally and his mother Maida O’Mally, Dalavin was ridden by Clayton Gallagher.
Taking the lead from Classy Rebel approaching the home turn, Dalavin ($3.60) held on to score by a half-length from Big Day Out (Jake Duffy, $19) and Commando Hunt (Brooke Stower, $3.20 fav).
Greg O’Mally said it was exciting to watch Dalavin win four races in a row.
“I don’t think I have been so nervous before a race,” Greg said.
The lure of $100,000 for the Dubbo City Toyota Gold Cup, coupled with eligibility for the $2 million Big Dance at Randwick proved irresistible for high profile metropolitan stables, but they were upstaged on Sunday by country-trained Casino Kid.
Despite high quality opposition, the Jan Bowen, Muswellbrook-trained Casino Kid started as $3.60 favourite after a recent win and a second at Randwick. Notabadidea and Cognac set the pace in the 1600m cup but were under siege in the home straight. Brilliantly ridden by Grant Buckley, Casino Kid from third last, gained openings near the inside and won by over a length from the Victorian trained Prince of Helena (Jake Duffy, $6) with a long head to Newcastle galloper Two Big Fari (Mikayla Weir, $8.50).
Clint Lundholm landed a winning double, Nest In The Hills and Career Change. With Rory Hutchings in the saddle, Nest In The Hills ($15) wore down the leader Wandjina Spirit (Winona Costin, $5) to win by a short head with Hallowed Star (Grant Buckley, $3.10 equal fav) four lengths away third in the 1400m Showcase Maiden Handicap.
Bringing up the Lundholm double, Career Change (Brooke Stower, $7) in the 1100m Country Magic Class 2 Showcase Plate beat stablemate Nicorette (Keegan Latham, $21) and Simpkin (Rory Hutchings, $1.55 fav).
Backing up from a win at Gilgandra on Tuesday, the Bob Howe, Rylstone trained 8-year-old Petain (Tony Cavallo, $4.20 equal fav) finished best to win the 1300m Benchmark 58 Handicap from Royal Charge (Rory Hutchings, $4.20 equal fav) and Gateaux (Fiona Sandkuhl, $7.50).
Dubbo trainer Connie Greig continued a successful year when Deel Street (Anna Roper, $8) powered home to win the 1600m Class 3 Showcase Handicap from Coopella (Clayton Gallagher, $9.50) and the leader Osman (Brooke Stower, $10).
The Dubbo track recovered from heavy rain to enable Cup day to go ahead with a big crowd.
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