Stakes targets could be looming for Dream Of The Moon following her dominant victory in the Halls Refrigerated Transport Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
The daughter of All Too Hard settled midfield for jockey Michael McNab before he pulled her wide and into the clear when turning for home where she gobbled up her rivals and dashed away to a comfortable 2-1/2 length victory over Diablo Blanco.
Dream Of The Moon was able to turn the tables on Diablo Blanco, who denied her victory at Riccarton last start, and the stable were duly delighted with the result.
“Her work on Saturday was super and we were quietly confident heading into today,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker.
“She still did a little bit wrong, so I think there is plenty of improvement there.”
A $AUD160,000 yearling purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis from Australia, Dream Of The Moon isn’t eligible for the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) but is set to chase some other juvenile features this season.
“Speaking to Mark this morning, whether we give her a break now or whether we head to the Wakefield (Gr.2, 1200m) at Wellington, we will just see how she pulls up and go from there,” Bergerson said.
The win sealed an early double for the stable at Riccarton, with Mazzucato having taken out the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Three-Year-Old Premier (1400m) earlier on the card.
“She was slow out of the barriers, but Michael (McNab, jockey) got her into a beautiful rhythm,” Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper said.
“I think the noseband coming off today really helped her and the shadow roll – I think she got her head down and relaxed nicely.
“She worked into it nicely at the top of the straight and at the 300m I was very confident that she was going to pick them up.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Footnote: Dream Of The Moon has a half-sister by Maurice going to Magic Millions in January with Glenbeigh Farm as Lot 976.