Speedy Dubleo galloper The Thief will graduate to black-type racing after winning at his first attempt down the Flemington straight on Saturday.
The Thief (4g Dubleo – Bush Ballad by Alquoz) powered home to qualify for the Listed Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 12. “He finished off strong once I got him into the clear,” jockey Dean Yendall said. “He won really convincingly.”
The former Darwin sprinter was backed with confidence and responded with a brilliant turn of foot to run down the leaders. He charged home to score by more than two lengths from Shangahi Warrior and Doubtfilly.
The son of Vinery sire Dubleo was bred by Tim Dennis and his late wife Di who operated Glenwood Stud south-west of Geelong for many years. They also bred Dubleo Group 3 winner Koonoomoo.
The Thief changed hands for $10,000 as a foal at the 2010 Inglis Great Southern Sale. “We have shares in Dubleo,” Dennis said after Koonoomoo won the Maybe Mahal Stakes at Flemington. “You can’t take them all home so it’s just a matter of meeting the market.”
He started racing in the Top End as a late two year-old for trainer Chris Pollard and local owner Bob Kendray. Returning at three, he won four in a row at Fannie Bay before a close second to Host Of The Party in the Darwin Guineas.
Kendray sent The Thief to Melbourne with trainer Stephen Brown and he was placed at Sandown and Mornington before the breakthrough at headquarters on Saturday.
Dubleo (Southern Halo) hails from the same sireline as More Than Ready and he will stand alongside the Vinery champion for a $5,500 service fee in 2014.
