Dubious Express produced a remarkable debut performance at Newcastle yesterday, storming home into second place in the 900m Coastal Advisory Australia Midway 2YO Maiden Plate after covering significant extra ground in extremely testing conditions.
Following two excellent lead-up trials, expectations were high heading into the race. However, conditions quickly became a major factor, with the track initially rated a Heavy 8 before later being upgraded to a Heavy 10 after racing.
Jumping from a wide barrier, jockey Keegan Latham said Dubious Express struggled to find his footing early in the testing conditions and was allowed to drift further back than ideal in the short 900m sprint. Racing wide throughout, he was forced even further off the track turning for home, covering significantly more ground than the rest of the field.
At the top of the straight, Dubious Express looked unlikely to challenge the leaders, sitting approximately six to eight lengths off the pace. But what followed was an eye-catching finishing effort, storming home through the heavy ground to close the margin to less than a length on the line.
In his post-race comments, Keegan Latham noted that every time he asked Dubious Express for more, the colt responded strongly, adding that had the race been over 1000m, “he would have won it well.”
Trainers Richard and Will Freedman described the run as “remarkable” given the conditions and the ground covered during the race. Providing he pulls up well, the stable is expected to target another Maiden assignment within the next two to three weeks, although an open 2YO handicap may also be considered if suitable options are limited.
The performance marks a thrilling beginning for a horse bred by AHA Racing from their first owned racehorse, Sanzera, making the result even more special for the team. It is also particularly rewarding to share the journey with close friends involved in the ownership group, with Dubious Express already showing signs of an exciting future ahead.
