Tom Dabernig resisted the temptation to run Ashford Street in the feature sprint at his adopted hometown’s carnival during the week and the Warrnambool horseman was rewarded at Caulfield on Saturday.
The six-year-old made the perfect start to life in Dabernig’s care when he won the $150,000 Bluebloods Thoroughbreds BM90 Handicap (1000m).
Ashford Street was entered for last Wednesday’s Listed Wangoom Handicap, but Dabernig thought better of tackling that event and was glad he did.
“We didn’t quite have him ready to kick-off at Warrnambool, we were half-trying to have him right for the Wangoom, but he’s probably more a 1000-metre horse than 1200 and we thought this race looked ideal with the claim of Jaylah Kennedy,” Dabernig said.
Ashford Street ($10) registered the 10th win of his 35-start career when he carried Kennedy, whose 3kg claim reduced his weight to 60kg, to a narrow victory over Vivianne ($9) with Twin Perfection ($5.50) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
It was the son of Moshe’s first start for Dabernig, who took over training duties from Ken Elford, who prepared Ashford Street to six wins after gaining him from another Warrnambool trainer, Simon Ryan.
Ashford Street is raced by a group headed up by Peter McLaren, whose grandson has a close connection to the stable and played a role in the victory.
“Peter’s grandson Will works for us and he’s strapping the horse today, so it’s a real family affair,” Dabernig said.
Dabernig was pleased to have Ashford Street in winning form so early in his career and he will now look to bank a few more wins before potentially tackling the Group 3 Monash Stakes at Caulfield in July.
“He probably should be suited in that late July (calendar), just before the spring horses crank up,” he said.
“Hopefully we can have him winning through winter.”