Consistent galloper Rise At Dawn was in the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday when leading throughout to land the VRC Season Premiere Race Day Plate (1620m).
Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the son of Almanzor has raced well through the winter months and took on older rivals for the first time after turning four this week.
The gelding has now won five of his 10 starts and been placed on a further two occasions, with his only disappointing performances coming in the autumn where he pulled up sore after trailing the field home in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1600m).
“He’s building a lovely record,” JD Hayes said.
“He’s so consistent and had nice residual fitness under him. He did really well at the farm with a month between runs and he was rated beautifully out in front and gave a strong kick so I know the owners here got a big thrill.
“We’re very blessed with the facilities we’ve got to be able to keep them up and he’s one that absolutely thrives. He’s done a terrific job and long may it continue because the way that he runs, he is an awfully consistent animal, so I dare say he’s got a few more wins in-store off the back of that.”
Winning jockey Daniel Stackhouse took luck out of the equation from the widest gate of barrier nine, crossing over to lead with ease.
“He’s always shown promise his whole career and he’s just such a gem of a ride too,” Stackhouse said.
“You ask him to quicken and he always finds for you and that’s all you can ask from a horse really.
“I wanted to be positive and take it up and get away early and then be able to control it and come back. I heard Le Zebra come close to me and I just increased the tempo every time. I could see it’s head just in the corner of my eye and I think that’s where we won the race tactically.
“Getting those other horses off the bridle, I knew my bloke was tough. He fights very hard when you need him. He’s just so well and going super.”
Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has now won A$288,835 for his syndicate of owners, which includes long-time Lindsay Park foreman Bruno Rouge-Serret.
Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake.
