Desdon Murruffy came to the Dubbo stables of Spiros Callaigeros having proved he had quality.
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While racing for Matt Craven, the eight-year-old gelding had won at Menangle as recently as April of this year before debuting for Calligeros at Cowra on May 14.
He finished stone last that day, almost 50m behind the winner, but at Parkes on Sunday he found form and took out the Medlyn’s/ Castrol Pace (1660m) in a photo finish.
Starting from barrier six as a $12.40 outsider, Calligeros sat last for much of the journey but found the running line and down the back straight on the final lap he made his move.
He peeled four wide and moved up to second as it quickly became a race between he and runaway leader Tutu Bene Lombo ($3.20), trained and driven by John O’Shea.
Tutu Bene Lombo looked certain to win but Desdon Murruffy had one last lunge and stole victory, the 18th of his career in start number 100.
Fellow Dubbo trainer-driver Nathan Carroll also enjoyed success at Parkes, making it back-to-back wins with Our Grasshopper in the Telescope Tyres Pace (1660m). Our Grasshopper, trained by Michael Carroll, won at Peak Hill a week earlier and backed up to score by 4.5m from After The Ball ($9.20) and Line My Pockets ($2.60 favourite).
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.
