A change of scene might be just the ticket for a return to winning form for top sprinter Dalon at Cluden Park tomorrow.
Dalon is now under the care of his regular rider and dual licensee Bonnie Thomson and according to his new trainer has thrived in the open spaces at her Black River property.
The gelding is going into tomorrow’s Trainer of the Year Roy Chillemi Hcp (1200m) after a close second to Langhro at Cluden last month at his first run for Thomson.
“I think he’s pretty close to spot on and he’s a good chance. He’s the type of horse that when he’s right he gives you 110 per cent,” Thomson said.
Thomson, who has had a long association with Dalon, said she’d originally taken on the gelding for a month while his owner-trainer Ian Coleman went on holidays.
“I was just the babysitter but when Ian came back he thought he was doing well and asked me to keep him a bit longer,” Thomson said.
“The horse raced well at his last start and the change of scenery seems to have done him the world of good.
“It’s more relaxed out here and there are heaps of other horses to keep them interested. Every day they get out in a quarter-acre paddock and they love it.
“Dalon’s adapted well out here and I’m very happy with him going into Friday’s race.
“It’ll be a very tactical race with only five starters and while he’s a better horse when he can do it on his own he has box seated and won as well.”
In a small but select field, Dalon will be up against the smart Brad from the Trinity Bannon stable and Fanaar which is trained by her father Mick.
Former top juvenile Lady Yendor also lines up first up from a spell along with recent winner Kentucky Flyer.
Meanwhile, promising filly Gossiping Girl will clash with flying Rockhampton youngster Attackabeel in the Happy Birthday Aaron Curtis Two-Year-Old Hcp (1000m) in an all-female affair.
Gossiping Girl impressed with her first-up win at Cluden on January 20 while Attackabeel bolted in at Rockhampton on January 23.
Local filly Pretty Smile finished just a length behind Gossiping Girl and could keep things interesting with gate one and Krysten Swaffer’s 3 kg claim.
Pictured: Dalon scoring a tough win at Cluden last July. Photo by Mike Mills.
See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.