Tasmanian Yearling Sale graduate Dark Journey put two luckless runs behind him when opening his winning account in the Rhima Australia Maiden Plate at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse for Jason Warren, the 3-year-old son of Needs Further led at every call to defeat the Shamus Award filly Miss Winslet by one and a quarter length with the Saxon Warrior gelding King Of Wessex two and three-quarter lengths back in third.
A first-up third at Cranbourne in December, Dark Journey was caught off the track when unplaced at his most recent start at Pakenham, after which he trialled impressively at Mornington.
“That’s a relief. He had a justifiable excuse at Pakenham, but he has always shown us a lot at home,” stable representative Joe Herbert said.
“He has plenty of ability and will go on with it now.
“Dan has always had confidence in the horse. He has been on him plenty of times and was pretty confident coming here today.
“He was a shrewd buy, so congratulations to Grand Syndicates, who are big supporters. They have a nice one on their hands.”
A $25,000 purchase for Grand Syndicates/John Price Bloodstock from the Armidale Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Dark Journey is the third winner from as many to race for the winning Pentire mare Rose Of Woorim.
A $26,000 purchase for Armidale Stud from the Glenlogan Park draft at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale, Rose Of Woorim is a half-sister to the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate hero Woorim (Show a Heart), who was blessed with an explosive turn of foot.
After enduring a couple of heartbreaking seasons, Rose Of Woorim was covered by Alpine Eagle in October.
