The Bjorn Baker-trained four-year-old Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) was a dominant winner of the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick.
Sporting the Darby Racing colours also carried by stablemate Overpass – who chases Group 1 success overnight at Royal Ascot in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes after running a brave third in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday.
Midnight Dynamite produced a powerful display after Jason Collett settled him in a perfect position one-out in about fifth as Winchat (Russian Revolution) set a strong tempo, pressured by Cool Jakey (Pierro) on his outside.
Travelling sweetly off the strong speed, Collett peeled out at the top of the straight and Midnight Dynamite quickly put the race beyond doubt, surging clear at the 200-metres to win by just over a length and a half. Winchat and Cool Jakey boxed on well for second and third after setting a srong pace.
“We’ve got a pretty special horse here,” trainer Bjorn Baker said.
“He’s putting together a terrific record for Darby Racing and was dominant today.
“He’s surprised us with how well he’s progressing. If he strikes a wet track in better grade, he’ll be very hard to beat.”
Collett agreed the gelding is still improving.
“He’s only getting better. This preparation he’s gone to another level. He ticks a lot of boxes and is working through the grades nicely.”
Sales info: Midnight Dynamite was purchased for $100,000 by the Redwall Syndicate from Rheinwood Pastoral Co at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
He was later passed in at $80,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, before being secured by Darby Racing for $48,000 at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Pedigree info: Midnight Dynamite became his sire Pierata’s third Stakes winner and is one of three winners out of the dual-winning Al Maher mare Talented Miss.
Talented Miss is a full-sister to Listed-placed Acouplamas (Al Maher), who has produced outstanding performers including Gr.1 Australian Derby winner Quick Thinker, Group 3 winner Seasons (Sebring), and multiple winner and Group 3-placegetter The August – Sengon Soloman (Mal.) (I Am Invincible).
This is also the family of Gr.1 Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars and Group 1-winning filly Larrocha (Danehill {USA}).
Written for TTRAusNZ
