Mick Van Gestel’s charge, Dark Glitter, ridden by apprentice Anna Roper, notched its first victory in 494 days with a dazzling display to take out the Ranvet Handicap (1200m).
This success came on a program that also witnessed General Salute end a 458-day winless run in the Winter Stakes, Polyglot breaking a 525-day sequence in the Kia Ora Handicap, and Anythink Goes surpassing them all with his first win in 856 days in the TAB Handicap.
Dark Glitter’s win contributed to female jockeys claiming six of the first eight races at the Rosehill meeting. Roper rode a double after winning earlier on Nullarbor Jane, Siena Grima also had a pair of victories on Omolong and Hello Captain, Izzy Neale scored on It’s A Tata, and Alysha Collett partnered Anythink Goes.
Van Gestel mentioned that he had considered entering Dark Glitter for the Listed Winter Stakes but ultimately opted for the less competitive Ranvet Handicap.
“This race was short of her best but the Winter Stakes was a much stronger field,” Van Gestel stated. “I decided to go for the 1200m race because it was probably the easiest race she has contested for ages.”
Dark Glitter ($14) finished with a powerful run to catch early leader Smashing Time ($2.70 favourite), winning by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Midnight Opal ($9) was a further length behind in third.
The mare’s return at attractive odds was noted by leading betting apps Australia, while Smashing Time started as the $2.70 favourite after attracting significant support in the betting market.
Smashing Time, attempting its third consecutive winter win, looked set for victory when it pulled clear from the chasing pack at the top of the straight, but it was unable to match Dark Glitter’s superior closing speed.
Dark Glitter had been placed four times at stakes level since her last victory more than two years ago, and her Rosehill win boosted her career earnings to nearly $650,000.
Van Gestel had tried to sell Dark Glitter as a broodmare earlier this year, but when she failed to reach her reserve price, the trainer elected to continue training and racing her.
“She’s a very good mare and obviously still racing as well as ever,” Van Gestel commented. “Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long for her next win.”
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