A crack at back-to-back Gilgandra Town Plates now looms for Danish Lace after the Peter Nestor-trained sprinter took out the Signvision Open Handicap (800m) at Narromine on Monday.
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The final race of the day at Narromine was the most eagerly anticipated as Danish Lace took on the likes of returning star Zarhron and former Wellington Boot winner Alart.
But those two were returning from spells and Nestor said it was Danish Lace’s race fitness made all the difference as apprentice jockey Kaylee Kirkwood hit a gap in the straight and dashed to a one-and-three-quarter length win.
“She just gives 100% every time she goes around,” Nestor told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
She just gives 100% every time she goes around.
- Peter Nestor on Danish Lace
“And she was really well ridden by Kaylee, that was 10 out of 10 ride.
“It was only 800m but race fitness still counts for a lot.
“She’s a pretty speedy little mare and my biggest concern was her having to starts over 1200 before the 800 but it was just a 10 out of 10 ride from Kaylee.”
Zarhron, carrying a hefty 65kg even with apprentice Chris Williams’ claim, was still popular with punters and jumped a $6.50 chance while Alart was a $4.40 hope.
The Clint Lundholm-trained Snippety Sip ($4.40 favourite) jumped well but it was fellow Dubbo galloper Gillie Mooch ($11), trained by Justin Stanley, who set the pace early on.
She led from Sky Mission ($8) and Cohesion ($13) heading into the straight and for a brief second Zarhron loomed and looked set to threaten.
But all of a sudden Kirkwood, who had been sitting just off the pace, moved into a gap and from there it was all over.
Danish Lace ($4.60) showed a fine turn of foot and won from Alart and Snippety Sip.
“It’s so good to be back on her and so good to win with her,” Kirkwood said, having ridden the seven-year-old to her last win in August.
“It all panned out really well, I was hoping to get a good sit and then popped out at a good time.”
Nestor said he’ll take Danish Lace to Gilgandra on January 7, where she’ll look to defend the Town Plate she won last year.
Weight could be an issue there with the mare’s rating expected to rise again after making it sevens wins from 32 starts.