First Command booked a trip across the Tasman with a strong on speed win in today’s listed Doveton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Sent out the $2.80 favourite with bookies, First Command sat near the lead throughout before bursting to the front in the straight and holding out his rivals for a comprehensive length and a quarter win.
The five-year-old bay gelding by Commands, First Command will now head to New Zealand where he will contest the NZ$1 million Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m).
Winning rider Dwayne Dunn was happy to be reunited with a horse he’s had great success aboard. Seven of the nine times the talented sprinter has won it’s Dunn who’s been aboard.
“It’s great to be back on him,” a delighted Dunn told AAP.
“He has been a real kind horse to me and it is great that the owners wanted me back.”
“I honestly thought he was a Group One horse but he was never the same after that,” Dunn pointed out.
“If they had been able to hold him together I am sure he would have had a Group One victory without any trouble.”
“Lee (Freedman) seems to have him back and he looks like he can improve off today’s run.”
“Get him to New Zealand with a little bit of cut in the ground and he’s going to be more than competitive.”
First Command, bred by Gerry Harvey is a $170,000 graduate of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
From just 17 starts he’s won nine races and placed in a further three. His prizemoney haul continues to rise – it now sits at an impressive $491,901.
A half brother to Hong Kong sprint star One World, First Command is, as his name suggests, a son of the Darley sire Commands.
Commands has 22 lots catalogued in this week’s 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Winner: First Command (Commands-River Serenade)
Race: MRC Doveton Stakes LR (1100m)
Sold for: $170,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Lee Freedman
Owner(s): J Fowler, R Pasquali, A Santos, L Macri, Monterey Stud Synd (Mgrs: M & J Brown), S Powerll, M & Mrs R Lang & J & Mrs L King
Earnings: $491,901
Trainer: Lee Freedman (Rye)
