SMART Dubleo galloper Skateboard was back in the good books with punters after erasing the memories of his dramatic Warwick Farm episode last start to bounce back and claim today’s ATC Thoroughbred Breeders NSW Handicap (1550m) at Canterbury.
The Guy Walter trained gelding went into his last start as a heavily backed $4.20 favourite off the back of a sterling win at the Farm at his prior outing.
Sadly for punters, the horse virtually took no part in the race dumping his young rider Ben Vassallo soon after the start in a most uncharacteristic display.
Skateboard was in a much more agreeable mood today for veteran jockey Rodney Quinn who positioned his mount in a favourable slot from the jump as the pair surged clear over the concluding stages to win by 2 1/4-lens ahead of dead-heaters Acta Non Verba and World Wide.
“It was great for Guy and (managing owner) Jamie Walter to get the win today,” says Vinery’s Conor Phelan, “who knows what happened last start but you never like to see that happen to anyone with so much preparation going into each race.
“I know Jamie always thought Skateboard was a Saturday class horse and he’s been very patient and strategic with the way he has placed him. The horse has now won over $130,000 with more to come and that’s a good profit on the $42,500 Jamie paid for the horse at the Magic Millions when he was a yearling.”
Skateboard’s effort comes only a day after the handy Koonoomoo scored her second successive Moonee Valley win racing clear of the others to score by 2-lens and take her earnings above $150,000 in a short time.
“Koonoomoo ran some nice races during her three-year-old campaign without being able to win but she looks to have come back a bigger and stronger mare and has really been flying this campaign,” says Phelan.
“Both of her wins at the Valley have been pretty easy, she won her last one by a little over a length and last night she was two in front when they crossed the line. Horses that win by those sort of margings while coming through their grades usually amount to something.”
Dubleo has been siring winners at frequent stages over the past few weeks notably the above average mare Monnie’s Double who claimed her third win in just five starts when winning the ATC At Wyong (1350m) at her last appearance on January 18.
