Sent off a short-priced favourite on the strength of a runaway
win at Echuca at his career debut, the Darren Weir-trained Ken's Dream credited
Emirates Park Stud's young stallion Dream Ahead (USA) with his first
stakes-winner in Australia following a dominant performance in Saturday's
Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Given a positive ride by Dean Yendall, Ken's Dream led at
every call to score a length win over a game Dam Ready (More Than Ready) with
Throsell (Captain Sonador) a length and three quarter back in third. (photo Grant Courtney ).
"The plan was to get across and sit outside the leader
but when he found the lead like that without having to go too quick it worked
out good," Weir said.
"It's a hard thing to do, come from a country maiden to
a Listed race but he's done it.
"He won really well at Echuca and he's taken another
step today."
"I guess my one little concern is how much is left in him
this preparation.
"Looking at him in the yard I thought he was light
enough for where he is for this stage in his preparation.
"That's going to be the tough thing now, whether we
have to stop or just space his runs."
"He'll definitely get 1400 metres and maybe even a bit
further. He's a lovely relaxed horse and racing up on the speed is a big plus."
The homebred is the first foal of the Shamardal mare La
Bella Rose, who won four of her nine starts.
Herself a $230,000 Easter Yearling, La Bella Rose was covered
by Domesday in 2013 and Real Saga in 2014 and 2015 but has had no returns to
the Stud Book and was dropped from official records earlier this month.
Ken's Dream becomes the fourth stakes-winner overall for 5-time
Group 1 winning sprinter Dream Ahead (Diktat) who stands this season at
Emirates Park Stud for a fee of $16,500.
