3 minute read

Some inspired support for debutant Dupont paid dividends at Ruakaka on Saturday when the Jenna Mahoney-prepared runner delivered a stylish victory in the Ruakaka NZ’s Best Bet in Winter (1100m) two-year-old contest.

Wins at both the Pukekohe and Cambridge Synthetic trial meetings in recent months saw the son of Belardo backed in to start a warm $3.30 favourite ahead of fellow debutant Dua Dance at the jump.

Rider Kelly Myers had Dupont away nicely from barrier three but elected to take a sit on pacemakers Hard Attack  and Dua Dance as the pair cut out a steady tempo in front.

Hard Attack kicked hard in the home straight and shook off the attentions of Dua Dance however Myers had Dupont  winding up nicely and he burst to the lead at the 100m to score comfortably by a neck from Hard Attack, while local runner Vegas Queen closed off well to take third from Dua Dance.

Mahoney had expected a good run from her charge and indicated he would most likely return to the venue to contest the $60,000 final of the ITM/GIB sponsored two-year-old series.

"He's been pretty consistent right through the trials so we were confident we could get the job done today," Mahoney said.

"By the looks of him he will get over more ground, so it was good to sit off the speed today then get over the top of them.

"We will probably come back for the final now as long as he comes through this.

"We're pretty confident he can get up to a mile although we got away with this (1100m) first up."

Myers was full of praise for the effort and predicted a bright future for the horse.

"It was a good way to start my day after some nice trials although he is more of a three-year-old type," she said.

"He could have a promising career as turning for home I thought the two on the inside had me, but he wound up and went past them like a nice horse."

Owned by harness racing identity Gareth Dixon, Dupont is out of the Sebring mare Mazikeen and cost just $800 when purchased from New Zealand Bloodstock's National Online Yearling Sale in April last year.

His extended family includes the Joint Top Filly on the 2010-11 Australasian 3YO Classification in Lights Of Heaven who won eight races including the 2011 Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) while she also finished third in the 2012 Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).