3 minute read
Luck can be worth a fortune in the racing game!
Hawkesbury trainer Edward Cummings had high hopes of clinching his first provincial double on his home track today – and things were looking good when Adamas Prince ($2.20 favorite) scored a well deserved victory in the TAB Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1300m).
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed two races later when recent winner Obiri ($4.40) was eased out of the Lander Toyota Ladies Day Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) at a crucial stage in the straight.
Jockey Tommy Berry, who had won on Adamas Prince, felt the So You Think filly put in an awkward stride near the 300m on the heavy track and, being concerned she may have injured herself, desisted from riding her for the remainder of the race.
Thankfully, Obiri appears to have come through the incident without any further drama.
"She has pulled up fine," Cummings reported this evening.
"I will monitor her progress over the next few days and make a decision whether to keep her in work and head toward a trial which RacingNSW stewards have requested, or give her a break."
Whilst Cummings understandably was disappointed Obiri wasn't able to show her best over the closing stages, he was nonetheless delighted to get a breakthrough with Adamas Prince – and notch his second victory early in the season on his home track.
After beginning awkwardly, Adamas Prince again was doing his best work at the end and overhauled Disengage ($8.50) and Supertanker ($6) in an all-Hawkesbury finish.
A gelded three-year-old son of the More Than Ready stallion War, whom coincidentally Berry rode in his Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) success at Warwick Farm in August 2013, Adamas Prince was having only his fifth start.
"Rod Campbell and his wife Kathy and sister Eileen (Ziebice Racing) sent him to me from another trainer as an unraced young horse," Cummings said.
"He was very backward and I have tried to create an environment to enable him to do well.
"It was great to get that first win with him today, and he has earnt another crack at a race in town.
"The jockeys who have ridden Adamas Prince all consider he will continue to improve as he matures, and I'm sure he will."
Adamas Prince is cleverly named.
Adamas, from ancient Greek, means unconquerable or indestructible and is the root of the word diamond.
Diamonds, of course, are forever.
. Tommy Berry has made a quick start to the new season at Hawkesbury. He also scored on another favorite Bob ($1.65) in the HRC Motel Maiden Plate (1800m), and has now ridden four winners at two of the first three meetings.