Dolphin Skin takes out the Taj Rossi Series Final at Flemington
The Leon and Troy Corstens -trained Dolphin Skin has boosted her value as a potential broodmare with a narrow victory in a Stakes race at Flemington.
A $13,000 purchase at the New Zealand Ready To Run Sale last year, Dolphin Skin has recouped that outlay while adding Black Type to her pedigree with victory in the Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) on Saturday.
The task was made easier for the filly following the scratchings of pre-race favourite Steparty and African Pioneer, but Dolphin Skin was forced to dig deep to get past the leader Line ‘Em Up Louie.
Ridden by apprentice Wiremu Pinn, Dolphin Skin ($8) scored a half-head win over Line ‘Em Up Louie ($3.10) with the $3 favourite Sunsource a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Troy Corstens only arrived back in Melbourne following a trip to England for the Royal Ascot meeting in the early hours of Saturday.
“I was on a plane and landed in Hong Kong when I got a message that the favourite (Steparty) was out,” Corstens said.
“I said ‘beautiful, we might be able to pick up some Black Type’ and then when I saw the other horse (African Pioneer) out as well, I was rapt.
“I’ve been really pleased with her and her first run down the straight was terrific.
“Danny O’Brien commented that (VRC Oaks winner) Miami Bound ran well in the same race first-up and I’m hoping that we can get her out over a trip.”
Corstens said providing Dolphin Skin recovers well, the Byerly Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on July 15 was likely to be the next assignment for the filly.
Success in that race gives the winner a ballot exemption into either the Victoria Derby or the VRC Oaks at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
“She’s up and going really well, so we’ll be keeping her going for the moment,” Corstens said.
“There’s no pressure from the owners as it’s mostly me as well.”
For Pinn, it was his first win at Stakes level since moving across from New Zealand in May.
“It’s pretty special,” Pinn said.
“There are no claiming races today, so I’m grateful they kept me on. They could have had a good jockey on like Shinny (Blake Shinn), or someone else, but they’ve kept me on.
“I thought we had no hope with Steparty in there, but when he came out, I was really confident.”
More Racing News
Gold Coast trial to sharpen Magic Time for the Kingsford Smith Cup
Michael Dee is heading to the Gold Coast to trial multiple Group 1 winning mare Magic Time ahead of her first run in Brisbane. The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 1 is the race trainer Grahame Begg has picked out to run Magic Time in first-up in Brisbane,...
Kovalica to relish G1 Doomben Cup trip
The anniversary of Kovalica’s biggest success comes up in the next week and Chris Waller is hoping to celebrate the milestone with another Brisbane Group 1 win. The four-year-old son of Ocean Park will chase his first win since last year’s Queensland Derby when he steps out in this Saturday’s $1 million...
Shinn to make Sydney trip for Think About It trial
Blake Shinn will make the trip to Sydney to partner Think About It in a barrier trial as he prepares for his first race ride on the Everest winner. Sam Clipperton has been the gelding’s regular jockey over the past 15 months, but connections decided to make a change following a disappointing Sydney autumn...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...