Sir Darci Dashing

Sir Darci (3g Darci Brahma - Dominant) earned his third win from eight starts today as he fought the length of the straight to get his nose in front in the $17,500 Red Cabs (Hamilton) Ltd Rating 85 Benchmark event over 1600m with in form Sam Spratt aboard.

A fortnight from a top effort for second in the Lindsay Mile at Ellerslie on Derby Day, Sir Darci started favourite as adverse conditions worsened.

Bred by The Oaks Stud, home of Darci Brahma, Sir Darci was a $140,000 purchase by David Ellis from the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for John Galvin's Fortuna Syndications.

Today Sir Darci overcame the inclement weather of Cyclone Lusi which saw the track was down-graded to a dead 4, impressing his trainer.

“It was a good tenacious win against older horses in a Rating 85. The track conditions were marginal for him today but he settled nicely and he quickened so fast on the corner that he probably got to the front a little too soon. It was very brave for him to keep finding like he did,” said Jason Bridgman.

Syndicate Manager John Galvin agreed, saying: “It's never easy for a three year old to beat older horses, particularly when you are out of your grade. Jason has been very patient with him, letting him strengthen, and his natural ability carried him through today. His last two starts have been top efforts, so we were happy to see him get another win.”

Jockey Sam Spratt had plenty of praise for her mount, saying “he is a lovely horse and he travelled so nicely, got to the front so easily, that I was afraid I had gone too soon but he kept finding as they came to him. It was a big effort.”

Next on the program for Sir Darci is the Group 3 Manawatu Classic for 3 year olds over 2000m at Awapuni on March 29.

“The Manawatu Classic has been his target since we took him out of the Derby. The Derby just came up a bit too soon for him and we always thought he should be competitive around two turns,” said his trainer.

Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman now moves to 58 wins for the season on the Trainers' Premiership which he still leads with a four win advantage.