The Ben Pearce yard took Danablue to Belmont in race 8 in a 1400m event held in overcast conditions on Good 3 with Peter Knuckey aboard jumping from an awkward barrier 15.
As the gates flew back, Danablue jumped positively and on settling moved across to be a length back from early leader Tax A Million, with Delray Beach in third and Songbird back in the rail in 4th position with the field strung out by many lengths coming out of the turn to head for the judge.
On straightening Angel Rose punched through the rail to lead with many chances including Songbird and Dark Delight, Danablue, and State Form offering some resistance.
Coming to the post it would be Songbird prevailing in a race time of 1:25.67 with the last 600m in 37.44, with Dark Delight a half away with Danablue showing his usual grinding finish, to hold off the challenge of State Form for the third prize.
~~
Race 8 – 4:30PM STUART TAYLOR 60TH BIRTHDAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Of $47,500.1st $30,400, 2nd $9,500, 3rd $4,275, 4th $1,900, 5th $950, 6th $475
BenchMark 66+, Handicap, Minimum Weight 54kg, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, Apprentices can claim.
WestSpeed Bonus
Track Condition: Dead 4 Time: 1:25.67 Last 600m: 0:37.44 Timing Method: Electronic.
1 15 SONGBURG Justin Warwick Shaun O'Donnell 2 55.5kg $7
2 6 DARK DELIGHT Grant Williams William Pike 0.5L 12 57.5kg $4.60
3 7 DANABLUE Ben Pearce Peter Knuckey 0.75L 15 57kg $13
4 10 STATE FORM Jason Miller Ben Paterson (a1.5/53kg) 1L 14 56.5kg (cd 55kg) $31
5 9 PURE GLAMOUR Grant Williams Chris Parnham (a2/50kg) 2.5L 6 56.5kg (cd 54.5kg) $13
6 8 HEAVY SET Joe Miller Jarrad Noske 2.5L 1 57kg $13
7 13 ANGEL ROSE Stephen Miller Ms Chanelle O'Grady (a2/51kg) 2.75L 3 55.5kg (cd 53.5kg) $9
8 12 MOET ME Daniel Morton Shaun Mc Gruddy 3L 16 56kg $9
9 4 CARRY THE NATION Michael Lane Troy Turner 3.5L 5 58kg $14
10 5 BLACK MAGIC MISS Neville Parnham Steven Parnham 4.5L 10 57.5kg $10
11 1 ANGEL WING Simon Foster Glenn Smith 5L 7 59.5kg $16
12 11 HUEGILL Rodney Lewis Lucas Camilleri 5.5L 13 56kg $51
13 2 WOOKAH Peter Fernie Ms Ellie Cockram (a2/50kg) 6.75L 8 59kg (cd 57kg) $41
14 14 DELRAY BEACH Dean Nazzari Clint Harvey 7.25L 4 55.5kg $13
15 3 TAX A MILLION Sharon Taylor Jason Brown 7.5L 9 58.5kg $41
16 16 BONESHAKER Justine Erkelens Shaun Meeres 11L 11 54.5kg $31