Melbourne colt Dubious had to overcome a pre-race set back before scoring a record breaking win in the Group 3 $160,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick today.
Dubious, above in the aqua and black checks, gets the judge’s decision in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Dubious had to be re-shod behind the starting gates after shifting a plate on the way to the barriers.
The delay to the start of the race didn’t upset Dubious who flew the gates and took up a forward position in the early part of the race.
The Gerald Ryan trained Covert Ops ($11) took up the running approaching the home and skipped away coming down the Randwick rise to what appeared to be a winning break but under hard riding from Michael Walker, Dubious ($19) was able to overhaul the leader and get the judge’s decision in a tight photo finish.
Krameric ($7) from the Chris Waller stable, ran on from back in the field to fill third spot while $4.40 equal favourites Fiery Red and Exceed The Stars finished fifth and sixth respectively.
The Randwick track with the assistance of a strong tail wind in the straight is responsible for the Dubious recording a new race record of 56.45 secs for the 1000m of the Breeders’ Stakes.
Dubious is a colt by Not A Single Doubt out of the Elusive City mare Suspicieuse.
“He was our most precocious colt. Shane McGrath from Aquis mentioned the idea. It’s a stallion making race and that is what we aim to do with this horse. He’s started his career very well,” Maher said.
“We brought him here a fraction soft with the idea of that trial bringing him on and Hugh Bowman gave him a good report. He had a bit of a blow and you can see he still has a bit of a coat on him. It brought him on enough, he worked well on Tuesday and the team up here have done a good job with him.”
“It’s great to win. If it’s history that is even better. Michael Walker does a lot of work for us at home so great for him to be on board and hopefully there is more in store.”
