5 WIN SATURDAY: Day One, No.1

Resuming in the best possible fashion, Day One (4 g Wootton Bassett – Eleonora, by Makfi) won the $55,000 Golf Warehouse Rating 65 1300 metres on Saturday at Ellerslie. 

Having displayed quality when winning over 1600 metres last December at Ellerslie, Day One was given time to recover from a chipped fetlock after finishing fourth in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m).

He looked good when running on solidly for third in a trial on 25 August at Waipa, to rate a top three chance from barrier one, and Champion Jockey Opie Bosson ONZM played his part to a nicety. 

Chuffed to be back riding winners, Bosson gave Day One a lovely trip in the trail, travelled sweetly turning for home, and once through a gap he kept winding up to reach the lead and looked good when stretching out over the concluding stages.

“It’s been a while, quite a few months, and really good to be back in the winner’s circle,” Bosson said.

“He’s still a big goof, got to the front and pricked his ears, but we’ve always thought a lot of him in his work and he’s been working outstanding with horses that had won for the stable earlier today. 

On Soft5 footing, Day One ran 1300 metres in 1:18.5, last 600m in 35.3, and held solidly in betting to pay $4.20 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

Following a hat-trick of wins for the stable, assistant trainer Reece Trumper said: “It was a really good effort and a great ride by Opie.

“Full credit to him, he was there riding right through the winter to help the team out and we’re so glad to have him back. 

“He’ll get his weight down, week by week, he’s the best (100 Group One wins) and that just showed. 

“We knew (Day One) he would race very well. I think most of the staff got on, so well done, and thanks to Lib Petagna, Kerrie Cox, Bruce Perry, and the Elsdon Park team for entrusting him to us to train.

“They’ve been very patient. He’s had his aches and pains, but he’s bounced back now and he’s a very promising horse.

“His work had been very sharp at home and we were pleased with him coming into today. He’s probably going to get back to a mile / 2000m. He’s out of Eleonora, who was a superb racehorse and it’s very pleasing to get another win for Elsdon Park.

“They’re big supporters of our stable. We bought two lovely yearlings off them this year and just love buying horses off them.”

Working back from a special assignment, Trumper said that Day One could be set on a path towards the $750,000 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (4YO, 1600m) on Karaka Million night (Saturday 23 January) at Ellerslie. 

“It was a really good win, especially fresh-up off quite a long layoff,” added Walker. 

“He’s a lightly raced horse with untapped potential, had a few soundness issues, but really good to see him win the way he did today, albeit a bit green.

“It was good to see Opie back riding winners, too, and great to be training another winner for Lib Petagna, Kerrie Cox, Bruce Perry, and all the Elsdon Park team, who support us. 

“He’s a big horse with plenty of upside to him, and I think it could be onwards and upwards from here.”

Day One is bred and owned by JML Bloodstock (Mgr: Lib Petagna), who only keep their best mares to breed from and in the case of dam Eleonora they have a very good example. 

Purchased as a yearling for $60,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, by Bruce Perry Bloodstock, who has a fine record of acquiring horses for Petagna, Eleonora won the Group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie, Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, and finished third in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington, and has already produced stakes' winner Ethereal Star (Snitzel), one of four individual winners. 

Adding to the depth of the pedigree, Day One is by Champion Sire Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), while his grand-dam is Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm), who won $6 million in stakes and became the pride and joy of owner/breeder Sir Peter Vela.

Furthermore, his great grand-dam Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram) won the Hong Kong International Cup (HK1, 1800m) in 1993, one of five stakes’ victories. 

Day One carries bloodline crosses to two of the finest: Danzig and Mr. Prospector. 

Day One was strapped by Rashid Alam.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz