Dynamite Dan’s barnstorming finish to take out Victoria Derby

Trainer Emma Stewart took out yet another success when Dynamite Dan (Somebeachsomewhere) stormed down the outside for an upset harness racing win in the Group 1 $150,000 Woodlands Stud Victoria Pacers Derby at Melton on Saturday evening.

Stewart had the favoured pair of Brooklyn Dan and Enjoy Life while Dynamite Dan and Mount Barker Boy were both less fancied. But it was the testing 2760 metres that was to tell the story of an exciting spectacle.

Local Brooklyn Dan from the pole found the lead early on and was able to hold out Nymbal who flew out of the mobile but couldn’t cross over. Enjoy Life followed up Brooklyn Dan from the second row to take up the trail behind the leader.

DYNAMITE DAN 17 OCT REPLAY

Favourite Palladium settled two back but driver Brad Hewitt whizzed around the field to apply some pressure. Brooklyn Dan was under pressure on the final bend when Palladium put his head in front but the ones who hadn’t done much in the run such as Dynamite Dan, Mount Barker Boy and Soho Charmer stormed home to fill out the placings. Enjoy Life obtained a run of sorts but he couldn’t withstand the finishing burst of Dynamite Dan.

Dynamite Dan ran 1.54.6 for the 2760 metres.

Winning driver James Herbertson who secured his 13^th Group 1 success stated

It just come down to that mid-race tempo. It was like an old school derby, like a few moves and Luke (McCarthy) got going three wide at the 1200. It was like race on. So, the quarter off the back really brought us into the race.  They were never going to motor home, but this little bloke was. So to his credit, he knuckled down and held them off.

It’s very good. But to win a race like that for, for him and Clayton as well, like I’ve known him since I was knee high to a grasshopper and we’ve had our issues along the time, but you know he’s a good mate of mine and it’s just great to win a nice race for him.

Part owner Danny Zavitsanos was overwhelmed with the success as he had every right to consider that Brooklyn Dan would be the one to beat, certainly not with Dynamite Dan.

He commented

I don’t know what just happened. I thought if he runs top five or six, I’ll be wrapped, but I was watching Brooklyn and then the caller is calling Dynamite Dan. I go, What? What? What’s going on here?. I can’t believe it. James Herbertson, he’s actually got lengths on a lot of the drivers. He’s a number one driver. I told Clayton (Tonkin) even last week, he was massive on Dynamite Dan. I would have loved him to have had a better draw, but what I just saw now I can’t believe it. This is just unbelievable. Unbelievable stuff.

I backed the one (Brooklyn Dan) instead. No. I didn’t back him. I was just hoping, you know. But I’m just wrapped. I can’t believe this. How exciting.

I love it. Look when you win these big races, you have to enjoy them because there’s a lot of, rainy days. So when the sun shines, it’s really good. So I’m really grateful.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink