Mark Minervini says another four or five winners instead of a stack of seconds of course would have made the season just gone so much better.
Even so despite the fact his 10 winners was down on the previous season’s tally of 26 (with prizemoney of $976,000), the former South Australian trainer still topped the $1m mark for the first time since relocating to Newcastle in 2019-20.
“We had 33 placings, and 19 or 20 of them were seconds, and 45 per cent of our runners (173) finished in the Top 5,” Minervini said on Sunday.
“Though frustrating at times, it was still a good season, especially our horses from a boutique stable earning more than $1m.”
With the old season behind him, Minervini began the new one in winning style with Dubai Flyer at his home track on Saturday.
The now five-year-old, whom he purchased for $50,000 at the 2021 Inglis Classic yearling sale, is the second foal of the unraced Snitzel mare Qarah.
Backed from double figures to start at $4.80 and ridden by Blake Spriggs, Dubai Flyer overhauled last start Gundagai Maiden winner Casanova ($16) in the closing stages of the Class 1 Handicap (1600m).
It was only his second victory and first since taking a Wyong Maiden (1350m) on heavy ground in March last year as a three-year-old at his second start.
Minervini thought enough of Dubai Flyer to throw him in the “deep end” a week later in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick during The Championships before spelling him.
With words from leading trainer Ciaron Maher ringing in his ears, he never lost faith in getting further success with the gelding, notwithstanding the length of time between victories.
“I have heard Ciaron say on radio and TV that the Pride Of Dubai breed get better with age, relating to his great mares Pride Of Jenni and Bella Nipotina,” Minervini explained.
“Dubai Flyer is definitely getting better with age. He ran one good race at Newcastle last preparation when second over 1500m from the outside alley in a field of 13, and I tipped him out when he didn’t go as well at his next two runs.”
Minervini was at Randwick yesterday with Diamond Model, and was surprised to hear Dubai Flyer had been offered at such good odds.
“He ran terrific first-up when third in a Class 1 Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle 16 days ago, and really should have been no more than his starting price to begin with,” he said.
“I’m sure he will run 2000m, and ideally an 1850m here for his next start would be perfect as he likes his home track.”
Minervini hasn’t lost faith either getting a win with Toyger, who earlier was runner-up at Newcastle in a 900m Maiden Plate as a $2.35 favorite.
This was his seventh minor placing – five of them have been seconds – from 13 career appearances.
“Toyger isn’t lacking endeavour and will get there soon,” he said. “He is losing to horses who are going on to better grades.”
Minervini has retired his stable star, the now eight-year-old Hosier, who gave him an important Sydney breakthrough by winning the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick 12 months ago, and the gelding also ran third in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) last September.
Despaired of finding a suitable track for Dehorned Unicorn, he has spelled the former Sydney sprinter.
“He had four runs for me in June and July, and three were on heavy tracks, which he doesn’t handle,” Minervini said.
Another Sydney recruit Raging Bull ran third in the Wyong Cup Prelude (2000m) a week ago, and will run next in either the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on September 6 or a Benchmark 90 Handicap (2000m) at Doomben the following day. Minervini’s is aiming the gelding toward the $300,000 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 20, keen to go two better than with Hosier last year.
Minervini is also looking forward to kicking off the career of a three-year-old filly named Ocean Joy, who set trial watchers alight when she burnt home by nearly 12 lengths in a 900m heat on heavy ground at Scone last Wednesday.
Whilst she had only three rivals, runner-up Russley Tiara was placed in a Scone Maiden on debut in March and her conqueror Fuld’s Doubt subsequently won again.
“Ocean Joy (a daughter of Headwater) has a good pedigree, and I really liked her,” Minervini said.
“I didn’t expect to get the filly for her reserve price ($15,000) at the Magic Millions yearling sale in Adelaide last year.]
“She is now three, and that was her first trial at Scone.
“Ocean Joy had shown pace in 400m and 600m jumpouts at home, and I didn’t expect her to win the trial that easily.
“She will trial again on September 3 and, all going well, will debut in a 900m Maiden on the second day of the Newcastle Cup carnival (September 21).”
Story John Curtis, August 25, 2024
Photo: Bradley Photos