Last-start Rosehill winner Darci Be Good continues to get support from the punters ahead of tomorrow’s Chelmsford Stakes Day meeting where the promising Bede Murray-trained colt will jump favourite in the $100,000 Listed Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m).
Last year's Ming Dynasty Qlty winner Lion Tamer went on to take out the Victoria Derby
While other black-types on Warwick Farm programme tomorrow are set to steal the spotlight, the likes of Chris Waller’s Cox Plate-bound My Kingdom Of Fife and Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday resuming in the $175,000 Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) while Stradbroke Handicap hero Sincero runs first-up in the $125,000 Group 3 Tramway Handicap (1400m), the 2011 Ming Dynasty Quality is also shaping up as an excellent race for Luxbet punters and emerging spring carnival contenders.
The Ming Dynasty has in recent seasons unearthed many a turf star and this year it is Darci Brahma three-year-old Darci Be Good that is tipped to win and continue on to bigger and better things.
A winner of two of their four starts to date, including the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) at Randwick in April, Darci Be Good resumed as a three-year-old with a gritty first-up win in a 1400 metre handicap at Rosehill three weeks ago.
Currently they sit at the top of the 2011 Ming Dynasty Handicap odds at Luxbet, paying $3.30 to salute as the 58kg heavy-weight of the field.
Trainer Bede Murray is the father of the 2008 Ming Dynasty Handicap winner Predatory Pricer’s trainer Paul Murray, Predatory Pricer going on to run second in that year’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, third in the 2009 AJC Australian Derby, third in the 2009 Underwood Stakes and second to former Melbourne Cup winner Efficient in the 2009 Turnbull Stakes.
Murray named the $400,000 Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 1 as a goal for the still-green Darci Be Good.
“My horse is going to be better in the autumn because he has a bit of growing and filling out to do,” he said.
“He is going to make a very nice horse over a trip, and I think the Ming Dynasty, (Newcastle) Spring Stakes and maybe Spring Champion will give a chance to further develop and get experience.
“There is no need to rush him because he needs to learn.”
Following Darci Be Good in the Warwick Farm Race 7 betting is Cocky Raider at $5 through Luxbet, a horse that could be given the chance to emulate reigning Ming Dynasty Quality winner Lion Tamer.
Last year the Murray Baker-trained Kiwi galloper Lion Tamer won the classic Victoria Derby during the Melbourne Cup Carnival four starts after saluting in the Ming Dynasty.
David Payne’s Testa Rossa gelding Cocky Raider hasn’t won since taking out a 900 metre race on debut last November, but has been thereabouts in a number of their other races including their second to Darci Be Good in the Fernhill Handicap.
Payne is confident Cocky Raider has the ability, having matured over the winter break, to become a competitive Group horse this season naming the $1.5 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29 as a possible end-of-spring goal.
“He’s come back well but he will probably need the run,” Payne said.
“His main mission is the Spring Champion Stakes and the Gloaming Stakes.
“We’ll put him in the Victoria Derby and have a look at that as well.”
The $200,000 Group 2 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on September 17 will serve as a nice lead-up to Spring Champion.
So You Think is best-ever performing Ming Dynasty winner, the former Bart Cummings-prepared superstar saluting in the 2009 edition of the Listed feature before going on to become a dual Cox Plate champion among other incredible feats.
Other notable Ming Dynasty Quality contenders this year include Patinack Farm’s 2011 Golden Rose hopeful Boys On Tour ($7.50) and the Peter Snowden-trained Ambidexter ($6).
Commands colt Ambidexter broke their maiden status last-start at the Farm in a nice win over 1400 metres on August 23 and Snowden rates them a nice chance of going back-to-back on Saturday.
“He won well at Warwick Farm, albeit in maiden company and he is going up in grade, but he has always shown a lot of ability,” he said.
To view the full list of Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2011 acceptors and their odds, visit Luxbet and bet with the bookmaker offering all new, depositing punters a bonus $400 bet when they join and quote the promo code BONUSBET.
