By ‘Pegs’
AFTER her past six runs on synthetic tracks without saluting last preparation, Kyneton trainer Sue Naylor had Paris Gem, $16 odds, cherry ripe for a first-up win on the turf at Mornington on Sunday.
Having her first run since August, the seven-year-old daughter of Von Costa De Hero and Jeweller’s Gem came from the rear of the field circumnavigating her eight opponents to comfortably take out The Polvin Fencing Straight Handicap (0-58) over 1200 metres.
Ridden by promising apprentice Sheridan Clarke, the mare defeated Rivers Reward, paying $8, by one and three quarter lengths with Speed Cube, at $16, a further length away third.
Naylor purchased Paris Gem at the 2015 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for what is now a bargain buy of $900 with the mare earning $100,792 in prizemoney.
Paris Gem is raced by Naylor in partnership with her longtime partner John Fowler.
The mare has won four races with seven minor placings from her 50 starts.
Big weekend for Dwyer
Seymour trainer Don Dwyer enjoyed a big weekend of picnic racing. Dwyer saddled-up a winning double at Healesville on Saturday and followed up with a winner at Mansfield the following day.
At Healesville he was successful with $2 favourite Peggy Rose and Runaway Max, a $1.75 favourite, in the last. Both winners were ridden by leading rider Shaun Cooper.
Cooper was again aboard Dwyer’s winner at Mansfield in Foxtrot Mo, at $3.50 odds, in the McGrath Mansfield Open Trophy Handicap over 1600 metres.
It was back-to-back picnic wins for the Uncle Mo six-year-old gelding who saluted at Merton on New Year’s Day.
The following race saw Kyneton trainer Katrina McAdam successful with Marsoom, paying $3.80.
The Medaglia D’Oro six-year-old gelding also made it back-to-back picnic wins after a Healesville win in December.The gelding, also raced by the trainer, was ridden by Tracey Johnson.
