Capable colt Forty Love (Downbytheseaside) recorded his best win yet with a gutsy victory in the Listed $30,000 South Australian Derby at Globe Derby on Saturday evening.
Forty Love had won his heat impressively a week ago and was considered the biggest threat to the other Victorian Silver Pistol who had won the other heat.
In a race of varying contrasts, Forty Love was well back in the field from his second row. Silver Pistol was unable to capitalize on his pole draw and he was defeated by Major Crunch, who then gave the lead away to Coniston.
FORTY LOVE OCTOBER 25 REPEAT
But Aaron Dunn on Forty Love took off shortly afterwards, charging around the field with Always Dancing to race outside the leader.
With one lap to go, Forty Love continued to put pressure on Coniston. Silver Pistol started to make a three-wide run on the back straight, but he was working and it was clear he wouldn’t catch the leaders.
Despite his torrid run, Forty Love defied the opposition with My Ultimate Jimmy as the only danger. Forty Love continued to fight back, but My Ultimate Jimmy gradually made up ground and made a desperate lunge at the line, but it was too late. Major Crunch came in third, more than 25 meters away.
It was a well-deserved win for Forty Love, owned and trained by Aaron Dunn.
Forty Love had competed in both the Victorian and New South Wales Derbies earlier in the season but appreciated the drop in class.
Silver Pistol, who defeated only one at home, was subjected to a veterinary examination after the event, but no abnormalities were reported.
Forty Love is out of Shadow Scooter and she has a bay yearling colt by American Ideal and a weanling filly by Downbytheseaside and these are also raced by Dunn.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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