Local trainer Aaron Purcell has added the feature sprint race of the Warrnambool Carnival to his record with Dashing taking out the Listed Wangoom Handicap.
Purcell has now won three of the five features over the three-day Carnival with Wednesday’s victory going alongside the Grand Annual Steeplechase and Galleywood Hurdle.
He now requires a Warrnambool Cup and the Brierly Steeplechase to complete the set.
In the past two years, Instigator has filled a place in the Brierly Steeplechase while Purcell will have to wait at least another 12 months for a Warrnambool Cup success as he does not have a runner in Thursday’s day-three flat race feature.
A heavy downpour a race before the Wangoom pushed the track into the heavy range which clearly suited Dashing.
Providing former Irish jockey Tom Madden with his first Carnival winner, Dashing ($9) scored a half-length win from Fortunate Kiss ($6.50) with Dubai Poet ($18) a further 1-½ lengths away third.
Purcell said when Dashing started his campaign the Wangoom was not a serious consideration.
“But there probably wasn’t any other logical start off points,” Purcell told racing.com.
“He’s a bit awkwardly placed in the 90’s with his rating, so the options are a bit slim.
“He seemed to be going better than ever and the closer we got to the race, he seemed so well, and we thought why not have a go.
“He always runs well, and we thought he would be in the finish somewhere and after the rain, being three-wide the trip was not necessarily a bad thing today, so it worked out OK.”
Dashing has been a consistent performer throughout his career, collecting seven wins from his 34 starts with a further 14 placings.
Purcell said Dashing would be suited stepping up in journey and was likely to be aimed at the Winter Championship which is a state-wide series with a final at Flemington in July.
“I think we will get back up to around a mile with him now,” Purcell said.
“Today’s race was more like a 1300-metre race through the testing track, so we’ll get him up in trip and the Winter Championship is something we will definitely think about.”
