Tim Clark has declared the best is still ahead for the late-blooming Dajraan, who gave an insight into his talent with a commanding win in the Group 3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill.
A superbly bred son of the great Frankel out of 2014 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, Dajraan ($11) turned in his best performance since arriving in Australia from the UK 12 months ago, stalking leader Coal Crusher and bounding clear to snare the day’s feature race by a length.
The five-year-old did show potential in the autumn when placed in the Doncaster Prelude before his preparation was ended by wet tracks, and Clark has no doubt he can continue to rise through the ranks now he has struck form.
“The public has only got a glimpse of his talent, we have seen a lot more at home,” Clark said.
“That is a taste of what he can do and we have been waiting for that.
“He just hasn’t been mentally there, but he is getting better and the dry track helps.”
Forced to regroup after Dajraan disappointed in an early spring appearance, the Tulloch Lodge team eased off him and re-routed his campaign towards Saturday’s Festival Stakes (1500m) and the Ingham Stakes (1600m) in two weeks.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was thrilled to see the horse snag the first part of his two-race goal and like Clark, says the sky is the limit for the talented galloper.
“When he came back for the spring we had a few goals for him but he disappointed,” Bott said.
“So we went back to the drawing board and put together a program that included this race, and hopefully now onto the Ingham (Stakes) in two weeks.
“He is back on track now.
“Whatever the reason, he has returned in a great frame of mind and hopefully he can really go on with it now.”
Mirra Vision ($5) ran her usual honest race for second with Kirwan’s Lane ($13) third and former Hong Kong galloper Sunshine Rising ($6.50) a fine fourth after being trapped wide throughout.
Coal Crusher started a $4.80 favourite but couldn’t quite see out the 1500m at his first attempt at the trip.