Bungling the start, debutant three-year old Derry Grove was able to overcome early setbacks to lift late and score in the opener at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Having showed good early speed in his two lead up trial wins, the son of Star Turn missed the start and needed to be urged along in the early going by jockey Nash Rawiller.
Landing a spot beyond midfield when settling and travelling in a similar spot throughout, Rawiller under heavy riding edged his mount out when rounding the home turn to let down with his full effort.
Many lengths off them when approaching the 200m, the gelding promptly shifted through his gears to find top speed over the concluding stages.
Swamping them down the outside, Derry Grove got there just in time to win by a long neck (0.23L) on the line.
Purchased as a $30,000 yearling, trainer Matthew Dunn was rapt with the result and the efforts of Rawiller and delighted that the ownership group could finally experience some success from their investment.
“We bought him as a yearling and he’s taken a long time to mature,” Dunn said.
“He had a few little slight problems early in his life and we had to sort of just wait and let him find his spot.
“It’s good to see these guys get a result today because as I said they’ve had to be nice and patient with him.
“It’s nice to see him adapt as well as he did and it’s nice to see Nash (Rawiller) do the same.
“You’re always full of confidence when he (Rawiller) rides them, and he’s got the job done for us today. A bit upside down but got there in the end.
“It was an impressive win and he’s a horse with a big future.”
Equally impressed with the efforts of the three-year-old, Rawiller was quick to express his sentiment post-race.
“I like the horse a lot,” Rawiller said.
“We were never really travelling like the winner but the confidence Matty (Dunn) gave me before the race I knew he would finish.
“He showed a lot of ticker too which takes you a long way.
“He was produced here today with nice raps on him, and he’s certainly lived up to them.”
Rawiller then notched up an early double when leading from barrier to post to score on the John Thompson-trained Bartoselli in the following race.
