The old saying of punters needing patience will be put to the ultimate test when a talented yet costly local three-year-old tries to break through at Monday’s Wagga meeting.
Donegal Bay, a son of all conditions sprint sire Star Witness, has been nothing as much as the bookmaker’s best friend on both sides of the NSW-Victoria border since resuming in mid-April.
Racing returns to Wagga on Monday.Credit: Fairfax
Twice he ran home from well back into a place as a short-priced favourite when in the Grahame Begg stable in Victoria.
Yet a relocation to Wagga and the Danny Beasley yard still hasn’t brought that maiden success, despite having a couple of tough runs.
Twice in heavy going at Albury and from a long way off the speed, clear favourite Donegal Bay again surged home late into a place, the latest as a red-hot $1.40 fancy.
Connections and punters alike were left scratching their heads, but significantly over a furlong further this time in a maiden handicap (1200m), Donegal Bay can finally start mending relations.
From a draw where he can settle a bit closer in the run, Donegal Bay opened around $2.90 in early betting, but a three-way home track betting battle looms.
Ex-Victorian mare Belnera ($3.40) having her first run for the new Peter Morgan stable was hot on his market heels ahead of another local Bonnie Murringo ($4.00) who resumes for just her second start for the Darrell Burnet yard.
Earlier the Beasley stable will attract plenty of attention when it debuts lone two-year-old filly Serenading against the older gallopers in the opening Maiden Plate over 1000m.