Heavy conditions prevailed at Randwick on Saturday after the track had received 101mm of rain over the past week and it was not surprising that the Heavy 9 had an impact on the two-year-old’s opening the programme in the $100,000, Spring On Sale Handicap (1000m).
From barrier nine Andrew Adkins sent the two times winner King forward to take up the running for the field of eight and the colt sped along across the Hugh Street side and into the main straight.
Entering the main straight Adkins had King some six out from the rails and the field was evenly fanned out behind them. King looked in command until the effort and track started to tell and he started to wander.
Rachael King on the Gary Portelli trained Dio D’Oro had been out in the middle of the track for the entire trip and from the 250m they started to draw away from the rest to chase down the leader. Showing no signs of concern about the track at the 100m it was mission accomplished for King and Dio D’Oro and then they went away for a dominant win by 2 1/4L leaving the rest behind.
King (Written Tycoon) and Adkins just held second over God Of Thunder (More Than Ready) and Koby Jennings, the margin a short half-head. The $3.40 favourite Beidi was fourth 3 3/4L away.
The time was 59.88 with the final 600m in 36.10. Dio D’Oro paid $5.00 on fixed odds and the tote.
“He has come back in real good order. Obviously there was a bit of concern about the track first up, but we have had two good trials and I kept the blinkers off him all preparation to have him right for the 1000m today,” said Portelli.
“There are some big races coming up in the spring, but I said to the boys that if we can just win some races and get some prizemoney in the bank, get his confidence up, we might end up in a good race. He did look good today, he sat four deep for the entire trip and he did run away late,” he said.
“Gary has prepared him perfectly for today. He had the blinkers on and he would probably benefit for having them off over a little further, but they kept him sharp for the 1000m today,” said King.
“He was very professional today, although when he hit the front he did have a little bit of a look. There is a little bit more to come and learn, but it was really nice to get the win today.”
Dio D’Oro had made his debut for a second over 1000m at Randwick behind the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab back in January, then ran fourth in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes in February followed by a third over 1200m at his home track of Warwick Farm on February 14th.
A Darby syndicated runner Dio D’Oro is owned by Mr M D Holland, Mr P C Beyerman, Mr J L Brooks, Mr H D J Deburgh, Mr M J Gordon, Mr P J Hall, Mr A E Hutson, Mr D J Rimmer, Mr M A Slack-Smith, Mr J C Teytz, 21St Century Trade Group (No 5) Pty Ltd, Darby Racing Legion Of Honour and J B & S D Wirth Racing.
After his four starts he has earned stakes of $105,385.
Dio D’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) is a son of the stakes performing Exceed And Excel mare Seeking Attention and was purchased from the Sledmere Stud draft at the Magic Millions yearling sale by Darby Racing and De Burg Equine for $210,000 – pictured below as a yearling.
Copy: Rob Burnett, ThoroughbredNews, Racing Image: Sportpix
