KEY POINTS:
Those playing down Darci Brahma's $150,000 Waikato Draught Sprint win on Saturday are marking the horse a bit tough.
Sure, the victory didn't have the same dash about it as the stunning fresh-up Telegraph win at Trentham, but there were a couple of issues that might be counted
as reasons for that.
The Te Rapa track these days is a marvellous facility compared to the old Te Rapa that was concrete hard in summer and a winter swamp.
But sand-slit tracks have a noticeable dimension, the slightly spongy effect means horses rarely bounce off them when letting down to sprint.
Instead horses have to work through the ground and that was particularly noticeable in the last two races on Saturday after a couple of showers.
When Opie Bosson asked Darci Brahma to sprint at Trentham the stallion's legs fairly flew off a very firm surface and the result was an electrifying burst of speed.
That didn't happen with any horse on Saturday, particularly where Darci Brahma was on the inside couple of lanes, which were more worn at that late stage of the day than two or three lanes further out, where runner-up Shinzig flew home.
Bosson was adamant Darci Brahma struggled a little in the footing, particularly in the closing stages.
"It was definitely shifting under them," said Bosson.
The second factor was that unlike at Trentham, nothing took Dari Brahma into the race.
He copped a perfect trail and Bosson had to take a gap outside the leader on the home bend for fear of the hole closing if he waited.
It meant Darci Brahma was in front too soon and also that he was committed to the worst of the footing on the inside.
Given the circumstances you have to say Darci Brahma fought bravely for his win, despite Matt Cameron's claim that Shinzig would have beaten him if he'd run straight when making his dash from the tail of the field.
The ownership syndicate are now sitting very pretty in terms of Darci Brahma's looming stud career, but that additional Australian group one would be a sensational result for them after the stallion's beaten performances there last season when he was clearly not the horse he is now.
"We're 50/50 on the option of the Chipping Norton Stakes in Sydney," said Te Akau ownership manager David Ellis.
Trainer Mark Walker said a decision about Darci Brahma's next start would not be made before Thursday and he would let the horse tell him.
One of the options is the $150,000 Otaki Maori WFA on Saturday week.
"One is an easier option than the other," said Walker.
If the Otaki option is taken Bosson could be in for an interesting day.
"There is some suggestion at this stage that I might be riding some of the team at the big day at Matamata then a helicopter being put on to get me to Otaki for the weight-for-age race late in the day," said Bosson on Saturday. "I don't know, it might only be talk."
It was a memorable day for Bosson who also rode Sir Slick to victory in the other group one race on Saturday, the Whakanui Stud International Stakes.
"I've never scored a group one double on a day before," Bosson said after Darci Brahma's victory.
"But I'm not sure if I've gone close before - I tend to forget about the seconds."
Matt Cameron said he couldn't wait for Shinzig to face Darci Brahma again at Otaki.
Shinzig looked good flashing home from last for fourth to Sir Slick in the Thorndon Mile, but he will still need to beat his own record to prove Cameron right.
The Sydney-trained sprinter has had five career starts at 1600m and his placings, going backwards are: 4th, 8th, 12th, 12th and 4th.
Kay's Awake doesn't deserve to be forgotten in finishing third.
Like she has all season she tried extremely hard and was only half a length and a short neck from Darci Brahma.
Peter McKay has done a wonderful job of keeping her up.
