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Ducasse a class above at Warwick Farm

Bigger targets await three-year-old Ducasse after he got his maiden win on the board.

Trainer MICHAEL FREEDMAN.
Trainer MICHAEL FREEDMAN. Picture: Steve Hart

After a luckless and frustrating spring, talented three-year-old Ducasse has taken the first step towards a confidence rebuild with a classy midweek win at Warwick Farm.

While competitive in a string of black-type races last year, the Michael Freedman - trained colt remained a maiden and jockey Tommy Berry was thrilled to see him finally shed that tag in Wednesday's Farnan Yearlings Selling Now Plate (1200m).

"It is all about giving him a bit of confidence this preparation," Berry said.

"He kept drawing bad barriers and not having things run to suit last prep, and falling short a few times.

"This time in, Michael (Freedman) just thought we'd take him back in grade, get his confidence up and let him go through his grades and today was perfect."

With favourite Redbreast setting a solid tempo, Ducasse ($2.50) drifted back to last before Berry picked his way clear in the straight, got to the outside and set the three-year-old alight.

Ducasse ($2.50) stormed home to score by 2-1/2 lengths over Detendu ($4.80) with Redbreast ($2.45 fav) holding third, another long neck away.

Berry is confident the winner can go on with the job and work his way back into better grade races.

"There didn't look that much speed on paper, but there was, and he reaped the rewards of it late," Berry said.

"He's got a big prep to come. He's always a bit gross and Michael was wary of that today, but they've got to start off somewhere and he's done a good job."

Ducasse provided Berry with an early double after the jockey took out the opening event aboard Peter and Paul Snowden-trained two-year-old Waterville .

Paul Snowden wasn't surprised to see the filly triumph on debut but felt she would improve with time as she was still filling out her hefty frame.

"She is a big, imposing lump of a girl," Paul Snowden said.

"She will improve a lot on the physical side of things, she's pretty much there everywhere else.

"She has always been a filly that has worked sharply and worked well with horses who have already raced and gone on to do things, so no surprise to see her do that today."

Waterville ($10) nudged out stablemate Evenflow ($7.50) with Okami Star ($14) best of the rest, another 3-1/2 lengths away third.

Champion jockey James Mcdonald  was a notable absentee from Warwick Farm after being stood down from his rides due to a foot injury sustained at Rosehill on Saturday.

Racing NSW stewards confirmed McDonald would also miss the Canterbury and Randwick programs this weekend and would need to undergo further medical assessment before a determination was made on when he could return to the saddle.


Racing and Sports



Warwick Farm Wednesday, 07th February 2024

6f102y TURF SOFT
AUD $60,000

RACING AND SPORTS PLATE

AUD $60,000
Age: 2yo Type: MDN
6f102y TURF SOFT
FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 9. WATERVILLE (AUS) 2yo F
MENARI (AUS) - TURNCOAT (AUS)
TOMMY BERRY
PETER & PAUL SNOWDEN
$10
55kg
A G O'Driscoll, Mrs N M O'Driscoll, W W Mumford, G P Carmody, R D McQueen, G J Burke, T C Eddy, O Kysela, W D O'Driscoll & Ms R Safir
2nd 3. EVENFLOW (AUS) 2yo C
SUPER SETH (AUS) - TWENTY ONE TIMES (NZ)
JOSH PARR
PETER & PAUL SNOWDEN
$7.5
57kg
Trilogy, Snowden Racing Pty Ltd, BDMMDB Racing, Peake Racing, KLJ Brown Racing, R C Ellis, N J McBride, R J Spurway & Creek n Co

Sales Information

3rd 5. OKAMI STAR (AUS) 2yo G
JUSTIFY (USA) - FATAL RENDEZVOUS (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
CLARRY CONNERS
$14
57kg
Okami Thoroughbreds (Mgr: S T Robinson)

Sales Information

4th 6. TARTAGLIA (AUS) 2yo C
TOO DARN HOT (GB) - DYSPHONIA (AUS)
SAM CLIPPERTON
JAMES CUMMINGS
$4
57kg
5th 2. COUNTERPART (AUS) 2yo C
TRAPEZE ARTIST (AUS) - IMAGE (AUS)
TIM CLARK
G RYAN & S ALEXIOU
$7
57kg

Sales Information

6th 7. SENSITIVE SOUL (AUS) 2yo F
CASTELVECCHIO (AUS) - SENSIBILITY (AUS)
MITCHELL BELL
CASSANDRA STUMMER
$61
55kg

Sales Information

7th 8. TEMPLE BELLS (AUS) 2yo F
PLUCK (USA) - LOBBAN DYNAMITE (AUS)
BEANY PANYA
COLIN HUGHES
$151
52kg

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