Trainer Matthew Dunn has concluded a notable week with Sword Of Legacy’s determined win at Rosehill. This success came just three days after Band Of Brothers, wearing the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks owned by David Moodie, triumphed in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
Sword Of Legacy, the $2.25 favourite, claimed the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. This victory marked Dunn’s 130th win for the season, elevating him to sixth on the national trainers’ premiership and underscoring an exceptional period for the stable. The filly was a well-backed runner according to betting sites.
“The same colours on Wednesday won the Ramornie. We’ve had a great season,” Dunn stated.
“That’s about 130 winners for the season, and we’re fifth or sixth in the Australian premiership, so to do that from a country base is a credit to my team.”
Having previously achieved Group placings in Victoria as a two-year-old, Sword Of Legacy joined Dunn’s stable earlier this year. She has since won three of her six starts under his guidance.
Dunn confessed he had considered spelling the filly after her most recent win at Eagle Farm, but Moodie persuaded him to give her one more start.
“I was actually going to stop her after her last start and David Moodie convinced me to go one more,” he said.
“She’s had to dig really deep on a testing track, and I suppose it ticks another box moving forward with her career. She’s going to improve again off what she’s doing now.
“She has already performed at stakes level. She should have won a Listed race three starts back in Brisbane, and just missed in a stakes race her second start in a race.
“I think she is better than an off-season Saturday horse.”
The Grafton carnival’s influence continued when the Tom Charlton and John O’Shea-trained Roselyn’s Star secured the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) in the following race. Charlton had earlier claimed the Grafton Cup (2350m) with King Pedro on Thursday.
Roselyn’s Star, the $2 favourite, was making its first appearance since winning at Group 3 level in the autumn and proved a class above its rivals, winning by a comfortable 2-1/4 lengths from Grand Impact ($20).
“The key to him was when we turned him out a winner,” O’Shea commented.
“He had a nice break, he had his tail in the air coming off a win. He’s come back in, and Tom and the team have done a wonderful job preparing him today.”
O’Shea confirmed that the Magic Millions carnival next year is the long-term target for the impressive winner.
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