A slight delay worked a treat for Leighton Winter on Friday, as Total Revolution ended his drought with a powerful come-from-behind victory at Dawson Park.
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On the way from the yard to the boxes, Total Revolution’s muzzle broke, forcing Winter to run back to the sheds to get a replacement.
The rest of the field was forced to wait for the trainer but once the Love To Chase Stakes (400m) was run it was Winter’s charge leaving everyone else behind.
“It did (work out well),” Winter laughed when discussing the delay post-race.
“He hasn’t been going too well lately, I’m not sure what’s been wrong with him but he put in a bit better today.”
Total Revolution ($17.10) wasn’t one of the best out of the boxes, with hot favourite Firebee ($1.60) and Blazing Marlowe ($11.60) setting the pace early.
Total Revolution worked his way up to third but there was still plenty of work to do heading towards the bend for home.
“When When I saw him tracking the two leaders I thought he would be hard to beat if he put in,” Winter said.
He certainly did put in, mowing down the front two in the home straight and stealing the win late on.
Blazing Marlowe finished second while Firebee was a further two-and-three-quarter lengths back in third.
“He’s been drawing bad boxes and just not really firing,” Winter said.
“But he hasn’t been a bad performer. He’s got a bit of ability when he wants to put his head right.”
Winter’s win followed a victory to John Horan, with his dog Happy Chap Zarr continuing his consistent form at Dubbo.
The field in the Coolabah Goat Company Stakes (318m) jumped out evenly but Happy Chap Zarr ($3.20) soon got to the lead and that was the way it stayed.
“He does go alright, just a little dog and 300 is his go but he’s won a couple here now and got a couple of placings,” Wellington’s Horan said after the win.
“When I first got him he was a little lid-pinger but now he’s settling down a bit after missing the start and coming from behind but he’s growing every day.”
Once getting to the front, Happy Chap Zarr got to the lead ahead of Dan Makin ($13.40) and Inside Ellie ($19.70) and the order stayed that way across the line.
“Here, Bathurst and Coonamble, we like going out there,” Horan said of his plans.
“We like going out there and it’s a good weekend. Take the kids and make it a bit of a family thing.”
Interestingly, not one person finished with a double on Friday as ten different trainers scored wins.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
