With three wins and a second from his last four starts, Bjorn Baker’s inform Pierata gelding Midnight Dynamite appreciated the weight drop from his last start second, impressing with victory in the $200,000 Listed ATC Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Defeated just over a length last time out by fellow Civic Stakes runner Cool Jakey (Pierro), Midnight Dynamite’s five kilo weight drop saw the Darby Racing owned gelding jump away the race favourite.
As Midnight Dynamite’s stablemate Amor Victorious was hunted forward from barrier four, the Jay Ford ridden Winchat (Russian Revolution) came from wide gate to pass the field and settle in the lead, a few lengths clear of Cool Jakey.
Settled in fifth position on the outside of Williamsburg, jockey Jason Collett started to urged Midnight Dynamite forward as the field entered the home straight.
With the baldy faced Winchat skipping a few lengths clear, Midnight Dynamite made up considerable late group to reel in the leader, hitting the lead with 100m to run, pulling clear to score by more than a length and a half and record his first black type victory.
Winchat held on for second in what was an improved showing, with second favourite Cool Jakey taking out third.
“It was a great trip, and he ran so well, Overpass,” Baker said.
“We've got a pretty special horse here too in Midnight Dynamite. He is putting together a marvellous record for Darby Racing, and he was dominant today."
“He's been a horse who has surprised us, just how well he is going, and how he keeps improving.
“When he gets in better grade, if he ever hits a really wet track, he's going to be very tough to beat.
With his next start likely to be the Winter Stakes on July 4, jockey Jason Collett feels the 4yo will continue to improve.
“He is only getting better,” Collett said.
“This preparation he has gone to another level so that says time is a good thing for him. He ticks a lot of boxes, and he's going through the handicaps nicely.”
Recording his eighth win, coupled with six placed efforts and $608,725 in prizemoney, Midnight Dynamite is the fourth winner, and first stakes winner for the Al Maher mare Talented Miss, a sister to the dam of G1 winner Quick Thinker and G3 winner Seasons from the family of G1 VRC Derby winner Blackfriars.
Bred by Rheinwood Pastoral Co, Midnight Dynamite was offered through their draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale when knocked down to the Redwall Syndicate for $100,000 before the colt was then sold through Widden Stud’s Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale draft for $48,000 to Darby Racing.
Midnight Dynamite is one of 12 stakes performers, and third stakes winner for his G1 All Aged Stakes winning sire Pierata (Pierro) who will stand for a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST) in the spring at Yulong.
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