Sword Of Legacy has capped a memorable week for trainer Matthew Dunn, scoring a determined victory at Rosehill just three days after Band Of Brothers won the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in the same colours.
Both horses are raced by David Moodie’s Hesket Thoroughbreds and sport his lime, purple and gold silks.
Sword Of Legacy’s ($2.25 fav) success in Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1200m) was Dunn’s 130th win for the season and moved him into sixth on the national trainers’ premiership in an outstanding term for the stable. Sword Of Legacy started a well-backed favourite according to leading betting apps Australia.
“The same colours on Wednesday won the Ramornie. We’ve had a great season,” Dunn said.
“That’s about 130 winners for the season, and we’re fifth or sixth in the Australian premiership, so to do that from a country base is a credit to my team.”
Group placed in Victoria at two, Sword Of Legacy joined Dunn’s team earlier this year and has won three of her six starts under his care.
Dunn admitted he was keen to tip her out for a break after her most recent win at Eagle Farm, but Moodie persuaded him to give her one more run.
“I was actually going to stop her after her last start and David Moodie convinced me to go one more,” he said.
“She’s had to dig really deep on a testing track, and I suppose it ticks another box moving forward with her career. She’s going to improve again off what she’s doing now.
“She has already performed at stakes level. She should have won a Listed race three starts back in Brisbane, and just missed in a stakes race her second start in a race.
“I think she is better than an off-season Saturday horse.”
The Grafton vibe continued when the Tom Charlton and John O’Shea-trained Roselyn’s Star captured the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) a race later, Charlton having claimed Thursday’s Grafton Cup (2350m) with King Pedro.
Roselyn’s Star ($2 fav) was having his first start since winning at Group 3 level in the autumn and proved a class above his rivals with a comfortable 2-1/4 length decision over Grand Impact ($20).
“The key to him was when we turned him out a winner,” O’Shea said.
“He had a nice break, he had his tail in the air coming off a win. He’s come back in, and Tom and the team have done a wonderful job preparing him today.”
O’Shea confirmed next year’s Magic Millions carnival was the long-term goal for the winner.
