Dale hoping to keep good times rolling at Wagga Wagga meeting

Dale hoping to keep good times rolling at Wagga Wagga meeting
By Neil Evans

Having seemingly arrested a slow finish to 2024, leading trainer Matthew Dale is keen to bookend Thursday’s feature meeting at Wagga Wagga.

The former Canberra-based trainer, who now divides his stable base between Goulburn and Moruya, abruptly turned around a disappointing December with three winners – two at Nowra and one at Wagga on December 31.

Goulburn trainer Matthew Dale.Credit: Getty

That kick-started his 2025 campaign, and another trip to the Riverina looms as the perfect follow-up.

On what is tracking to be a firm surface, the Dale stable debuts exciting three-year-old Jackpot Star in a Maiden Plate for the boys over 1200m to open the meeting.

And the gelded son of group 1 winner Starcraft is one of the more intriguing runners on the program, having not officially trialled since a solid effort at Canberra in early April.

But he’s been taken along quietly and has reportedly been working strongly in the lead-up to the Wagga debut.

Certainly, the market wasted no time tuning in, installing Jackpot Star an early $2.50 favourite ahead of Victroian-based Amber Star around $5, and local stablemates from the Darrell Burnet yard Bomerton and Hot Toddy at $6.

Then in the final race – a Class 1 Handicap over 1200m – the Dale camp reloads with promising filly Luna Jet who is gunning for a second straight win to start her career.

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A talented daughter of 2016 Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Luna Jet was a dominant debut winner at Nowra over 1200m on New Year’s Eve and now tackles a moderate field of fillies and mares.

Victory here might pave the way for a campaign aimed at a feature country carnival next month or even Black Opal Stakes day in Canberra on March 9.

Luna Jet opened a clear favourite with bookmakers around the $2.20 mark well ahead of stablemate Loch Erin around $6.50, with local galloper Divron and Wangaratta duo Oimbari and Rockbarton Shout all priced around $7.50.

Damaged Gold Coast track to be tested

Senior jockeys will gallop horses on the Gold Coast course proper on Thursday morning to help decide if a repaired section is safe to host the $14.5 million Magic Millions meeting on Saturday. Last Saturday night’s lead-in Magic Millions meeting was moved to the Sunshine Coast after a section of turf was poisoned, which club officials believe was a case of vandalism. The damaged section was removed and turf relaid this week in the hope of hosting the 10-race feature program and officials are optimistic. If the surface is deemed unsuitable, the meeting will be moved to Eagle Farm, which hosted races on Wednesday. A Magic Millions live site of functions and hospitality will remain at the Gold Coast track. If Eagle Farm hosts the Magic Millions, its eight-race program will be moved to Ipswich.
Craig Kerry

Brazilian jockey wins in first Sydney ride

Four-time group 1-winning Brazilian jockey Jose Severo was eyeing “more good things to come” after saluting aboard his first city ride in Australia on Wednesday at Warwick Farm. A cousin of Brazilian star Joao Moreira, Severo drove So Newchee Thinks to victory in the 1600m benchmark 72 handicap for mares. Severo, 24, is a two-time Sao Paulo Jockey Club champion who has been with the Kris Lees stable in Newcastle since June last year. However, he has had only 33 mounts in Australia after stewards deemed he had to improve his English before gaining a race-riding licence. Wednesday’s win was his sixth but came at his first city opportunity. “Riding good here is like a dream and hopefully more good things to come,” Severo said.
Craig Kerry

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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