Duchess Takes Drop In Class

Newcastle Herald

Saturday July 12, 2008

JOHN GILMOUR - HARNESS RACING

WESTON-trained filly Duchess Of Dubai is graded to return to the winner's list in the Two-Year-Old Pace (1609 metres) at Newcastle International Paceway tonight.

Trained and driven by Jason Proctor, Duchess Of Dubai has been racing in much stronger company in her past two outings.

She finished sixth behind Ananz in the NSW Sires Stakes final at Menangle on June 29.

Then last Tuesday at the same track she finished third behind For Dear Life in a heat of the Breeders Challenge.

"She has been beaten a little way in her past two outings, but her runs have been pretty good," Proctor said.

"She came from well back and got home for sixth behind Ananz, then on Tuesday I had to use her out of the gate and gas her early, and she was still able to run a 27 [seconds] final quarter.

"She is very tough, just like her mother, Deetroublemaker, and I am very happy with the way she is going.

"Having said that, there are some nice youngsters in this race, but I think she can win, and more importantly the run should top her off nicely for the Breeders Challenge Final at Menangle on July 20."

Proctor also has bright prospects aboard Aliclay in race seven (2550m), but his most gratifying success would be a victory on board The Spurs A Flyin in the Glenn Tomlin Memorial (2550m).

Proctor was the winning driver in the inaugural series in 2000 when it was held as a pointscore over a series of five races. The following year, when the series was decided with a final, Proctor trained the winner, Topsys Prince, which was driven by Danny Evans.

"Up until this year the series has been for drivers 23 years old and younger, and when Topsys Prince won in 2001 I was too old to take the drive," Proctor said.

"It is good this year that for the first time they have opened the race up to anyone because most of us who used to race against Glenn can now compete in the race which annually perpetuates his memory.

"The Spurs A Flyin has been a little disappointing this time, but she showed last start that she was back on track with her game second, after leading, behind Vicolo Way, only beaten 1.5 metres, last week.

"She really wanted to charge up the back, and if she settles better this time, she should go close, but having said that, it is a very good, even field and every other driver in the race, just like me, would dearly love to win this race which remembers our good mate."

Peaceful Art, which has been in consistent form, will be suited by the staying test of 2550m, while Charlie Corday and Highlander Carl are also among the better prospects.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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