Racing: Good ride aids mare to win in Dunstan

Michael Walker produced a clinical and clever ride to win the opening event at Avondale yesterday aboard consistent race mare Boulevardofdreams.

Walker gave the 5-year-old every possible opportunity to win the $14,000 Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier, settling against the rails on the inner before pushing the favourite Fountain Abbey out three wide with 1200m remaining to secure the one-one sit behind this runner.

Boulevardofdreams produced a sustained challenge down the home stretch to win by a half-length from Climbing High, with a further 2 1/2 lengths back to the disappointing Fountain Abbey.

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Haim and Stereo a winning combination

Up-and-coming apprentice jockey Daniel Hain showed fine front-running judgment when teaming up with Stereo to score a narrow nose victory over Speed Of Light and Inshelucky in the Wattyl Paint 1200.

Stereo, with the advantage of the 3kg apprentice claim of Hain, travelled boldly in front throughout and fought on gallantly over the closing 100 metres to post an overdue victory.

Volk Dancer closed rapidly over the concluding stages of the race, but was later relegated from second to fourth for causing interference to Inshelucky in the home straight.

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Hot debut for Strapped For Cash

Debut runner Strapped For Cash unleashed a blistering home-stretch sprint finish down the extreme outside of the track to score at the juicy odds of 29-1 in the hands of apprentice jockey Buddy Lammas.

The 3-year-old D'Gold-sired gelding was a previous trial winner at Avondale, which the betting public paid little attention to.

Strapped For Cash scored by a head from Uncensored, with a further 1 3/4 lengths away to Danny's Gold.

Completing a dream day for debut runners and further misery for punters who support favourites was the impressive win recorded by the Moira Murdoch-trained filly Sabayon in the following event.

The Pins-sired filly, a 31-1 shot, powered home out wide for jockey Catherine Treymane to win by a half head from Miss Trinadaad, with a further 3 1/2 lengths back to Silas.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY