A horse thought to be a doubtful racing proposition has brought up a hat-trick of wins
A horse thought to be a doubtful racing proposition has brought up a hat-trick of wins this summer as he continues to defy the early predictions.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Crystal Dreamer backed up wins at Werribee and Sandown last month with a hard-fought victory as $2.80 favourite in Saturday’s Raymond Deagon Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield.
The stable has taken a patient approach with the four-year-old who lined up for his 12th start on Saturday and their patience is being rewarded with Crystal Dreamer notching his sixth career win.
“He had bad sesamoiditis,” Zahra said.
“They basically thought he would never race. But just a bit of time and patience and everything like that got him through.”
Saturday’s victory continued an impressive combination between the horse and jockey Andrew Mallyon who made it four wins and a second from five rides.
Crystal Dreamer raced just off the leader Danuki before hitting the front inside the final 50m.
He defeated Atlantic City by a neck with a Danuki another head away third.
“Over 1200 metres I’d probably like to ride him just a pair or two further back but just the way the race panned out, to win today he had to sit outside the leader,” Mallyon said.
“But it may have just taken away his finish a tad. He’ll be better ridden a pair or two further back and attack the line.”
Crystal Dreamer was Mallyon’s only ride for the day.
“It’s always good when you find a horse like him, just to keep your name up in lights,” he said.
“It’s a competitive time of year so it certainly helps keep the phone ringing.”
