JOCKEY Anthony Darmanin described the win of Made of Stars in a maiden plate under lights in Launceston on Wednesday night as one of the bravest wins with which he has been associated.
Made of Stars was settled just beyond midfield and was always travelling well and on the back of one of the favourites So Much Fun (Brendon McCoull).
But when one of the leaders Marresi (Jake Bayliss) changed strides three times at the top of the home straight and dropped back sharply it cause a knock-on effect that severely hampered Made of Stars.
“When my horse was virtually stopped in his tracks I thought he had no hope of winning but when I got him to the outside he absolutely flew home and got up in the last stride. It was a phenomenal performance,” Darmanin said.
“It was a truly amazing win. I don’t know how he won because he got absolutely pole-axed.”
“I can’t remember a bugger run to win here at Mowbray,” Darmanin said.
The gelding’s trainer Mark Ganderton was thrilled with the win.
“This horse is always going to look like he isn’t going to win a race because that’s the way you have to ride him but tonight he did cop a bit of trouble but that’s what he’s capable of when he does his best,” Ganderton said.
So Much Fun looked set to win the race when she moved past Frinja that also was being hailed the winner at one stage in the straight but neither could withstand Made of Stars’ brilliant finishing burst
It was the first leg of a winning double for Darmanin who also guided Saturn Shimmy to a last-stride win in a strong class two over 1200 metres.
In a blanket finish involving five horses Saturn Shimmy rattled home from what looked a hopeless position at the top of the home straight to score by a short half-head from Just Mouse (Jake Bayliss) that was being hailed the winner close to home with Grey Gown a neck away and just in advance of Fillout The Ticket and race leader and favourite Silandro.