DOOGANS Rise earned another shot at the Adrian Ledger Memorial over the Albury carnival after a comfortable victory at Wodonga on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Trained at Wangaratta by Steve Cunningham and ridden by apprentice Lewis German, Doogans Rise ($4) broke a 12-month losing drought in the $35,000 Benchmark 58 Hcp (2050m).
It was the eight-year-old geldings first victory since saluting at Benalla on January 24 last year.
Despite his veteran status, the gelding has been more than competitive in the past 12 months, with a couple of minor placings at Moonee Valley.
Cunningham said Doogans Rise was proving to be an old marvel.
“He is such a great old horse and it’s pleasing that he can still win races,” Cunningham said.
“It was terrific prizemoney today so I was very happy for his owner.
“It looked a suitable race for him and I thought he was a bit unlucky when he finished fourth at Benalla at his previous start.
“The smaller field today suited him and he just proved too strong for them.
“I expected him to win before the race and I was just thrilled when he was able to produce the goods.”
MORE RACING NEWS
Doogans Rise sat last in the six-horse field before making a winning move at the 1000-metres when he pulled out wide on the track to pressure the leaders.
He proved too strong over the concluding stages to win by two-lengths from Deja Doom ($5) with the David O’Prey trained Circulate ($4.80) third.
It proved to be a satisfying day for local owner and breeder Peter Beaton.
Beaton owns and bred Doogans Rise and stablemate Shadow Of Pylon who ran third at 90/1 in the $35,000 3YO Maiden Plate, (1200m).
Cunningham said Doogans Rise would return to Wodonga for his next start before targeting the Adrian Ledger Memorial over the Albury carnival for a fourth time.
Doogans Rise has previously finished third, fourth and second in the feature.
“I thought he should of won the Adrian Ledger last year,” Cunningham said.
“The Ledger family are good friends of mine and it would be a sentimental victory if I could win the race.
“It would certainly be an honour and something to cherish.”
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here.
