A winner of the Listed ATC Civic Stakes two starts back before finishing third last time out in the Listed ATC Winter Stakes, super consistent Midnight Dynamite recorded his second stakes victory, capturing the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Challenge (1500m) in impressive fashion on Saturday.
Jumping away the favourite in the 13-horse field, jockey Tommy Berry allowed Midnight Dynamite to settle in sixth position as noted leader Winchat took up the running with Cool Jakey just off his back.
Chad Schofield started to get going before the home turn aboard the last start Listed placegetter Just Folk who had moved up on the outside of Cool Jakey to put himself into a challenging position.
With Berry coming to the oustide of Just Folk, he had not yet moved aboard Midnight Dynamite, but when he asked for an effort, the 4yo Pierata gelding exploded past his rivals, charging to the line with utter ease.
With a look over his shoulder, Berry eased Midnight Dynamite down to score by a little less than three lengths from Just Folk.
Getting home late to finish third was last start Winter Stakes winner General Salute for Nash Rawiller with the Clayton Douglas trained Punch Lane taking fourth.
Having won the race last year with Robusto, it was a year to year double for owners Darby Racing and trainer Bjorn Baker.
With big plans ahead for Midnight Dynamite, the gelding will now likely head to the Coff's Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7 and if successful, it will set him up to head to Randwick on Melbounre Cup Day for the $3m Big Dance (1600m).
“We're mindful he's had a long 'prep' so we'll see how he comes through, but the initial plan is Coff's,” stated Luke Hilton (Bjorn Baker’s Racing Manager).
“We'd like to get him into the Big Dance if he can run a mile which, off that, it looks like he might.
“He has come to a new level this preparation. Even looking at him, I still don't think we've gotten to the bottom of him. He's going to be a better horse next preparation.
“He's one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He's got better and better each preparation. He's reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully.”
Recording his ninth win and second at black type level, coupled with seven placed efforts and $735,225 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.
Talented Miss has a unraced 2yo Portland Sky gelding named Lachsatalent in the stable of Matt Laurie, a yearling colt by Kermadec (NZ) and is due to foal in the spring to Woodside Park Stud’s Celestial Legend.
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 for sire Pierata (Pierro) who will stand for a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST) in the spring at Yulong, while his first crop son, the G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman will stand his first season this year at Blue Gum Farm at a fee of $7,700 (inc. GST).
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