Talented filly Dream Of The Moon got her three-year-old season back on track at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, saluting fresh-up in the Book A Suite For Autumn Racing 65 (1200m).
The daughter of All Too Hard has scaled far greater heights than her mid-week assignment, placing in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m), Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m).
After sustaining an injury, Dream Of The Moon was ruled out for the remainder of the spring and summer period, but had indicated she was ready to resume with a commanding performance at the Ashburton trials last month.
That confidence was reflected by punters, as she closed an overwhelming $1.80 favourite over handy gallopers Retail Therapy and Our Clarry. The race immediately changed complexion at the jump, with Retail Therapy standing in the gates and taking no part in the contest. Meanwhile, Our Clarry powered up to his usual pace-making position with Dream Of The Moon settling on his outside.
The field came right down the outside in the heavy conditions and Michael McNab always looked in control on the filly, asking for an effort at the 200m and she was too strong, kicking clear by a length to Avitus.
Dream Of The Moon carried the tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing, and co-trainer Mark Walker was rapt to see her back on raceday after missing an elite-level assignment last November.
“It was a really good fresh-up effort to win like that and a lovely ride of Michael’s,” said Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson.
“Obviously, it was a big disappointment when she was ruled out of the Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), when she rolled and cut her hind leg, that was just unfortunate.
“It was great to see her back and she’ll improve off today’s run, ahead of bigger assignments. It’s important to build the black-type in her CV and we’ll be looking to do that in the upcoming weeks.”
Dream Of The Moon has now recorded two victories and four minor placings from nine starts, with her stakes performances boosting her overall earnings over $118,000. Raced by the Te Akau Moon Dreaming Racing Partnership, the filly was a $160,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Her success completed a race-to-race double for Walker and Bergerson, after Hooray For Harry got his time in the spotlight in the Riccarton Park Function Centre Maiden (1200m), also in the reliable hands of McNab.
