Desert Dreamer returned to racing after a long 7 month break with a strong win as Murtoa on Monday.
He was an Inglis Classic Sale purchase in 2018, and he is a half brother to a stakes winner, so he has an exciting pedigree, and it was an exciting start to his career, when he won his maiden at his second ever race start over a year ago by a whopping margin, it looked like was a horse that was going to progress through the grades and establish himself quickly.
But it was a stop start career after that, with a summer prep which ended abruptly after one run in Adelaide, when he was found to have a bad condition of stomach ulcers which was stopping him from letting down, and it showed in his dull coat.
Not a serious injury that would affect him long term, but it was enough that he required a 2 month spell to clear them up.
Now back with a long slow buildup to his first up run on Monday, and Johnny Allen back in the saddle he looked to be a bit ring rusty mid race chasing the hot pace, but when he warmed up in the straight, he started to lengthen stride like the good horse he is, and overwhelmed the field to win with ease.
It was only a BM58 race, but it’s the way he won the race that showed he is back to the horse that showed some much potential as a late 2yo.
He will continue to work through the grades and get some confidence back before the Spring Carnival arrives on our doorstep in September.
