JASON Deamer is keen to ensure he is “rapt” in making his own piece of racing history at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Newcastle trainer accepted with four-year-old mare Rapt in three races – a most unusual occurrence – before a decision was made to run in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).
Tim Clark, who has ridden her once previously earlier in her career when second in a Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m) at Gosford in October last year, takes the mount.
“Dynamic Syndications wanted to have a good look at all three races,” Deamer said on Friday morning.
“The 1400m of the Benchmark 78 Handicap, even though against her own sex, wasn’t the best option having resumed over 1300m at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
“In the end, we decided to go to the 1600m Midway rather than a Benchmark 78 Handicap over the same distance.
“Rapt went up favorite for the Midway which helped our decision, and she has won both her starts at the ‘mile’.”
A daughter of More Than Ready, she scored in a Provincial Class 1 Handicap at Scone on July 2, and 15 days later landed the Grafton Guineas.
Deamer was understandably pleased with Rapt’s first-up fourth to Flemington carnival Group 3 placegetter Danny’s St Darci in the Listed Just Now (1300m) at Eagle Farm on December 7.
“They were just too sharp for her,” he said.
“We brought her home after that run, and she has done well since.
“Rapt needs to win tomorrow to go back to Queensland for one of the races at the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast next month.
“There is an option to contest the $500,000 The Wave (1800m) on January 4.
“That race was for three and four-year-olds, but the conditions have changed to three-year-olds and upwards at weight-for-age.
“It won’t be an easy assignment, which is why she needs to win the Midway.”
Deamer will definitely run his stable star Hard To Say at the Gold Coast in the $1m Magic Millions Snippets (1200m).
The now five-year-old and eight times winner returned to his Newcastle stable after an excellent third to Golen Boom in the Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 7.
“I had hoped to trial him between runs, but none were available,” Deamer said.
“However, I was able to give him a jumpout this morning on the course proper at Broadmeadow to keep him up to the mark for the January 11 assignment.”
Hard To Say, who also races in the Dynamic colours, has also been placed five times and has earned just over three quarters of a million dollars for his connections.
Story John Curtis, December 20, 2024 - Pics Bradley PHotos
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