Talented staying mare Unchain My Heart has given trainer David Hayes his second Bagot Handicap win with a rail hugging ride by Dwayne Dunn.
The five-year-old mare who has been in work since June, has improved with every run and graduated from restricted class to land Monday’s 2800m Listed feature by three quarters of a length from Prussian Officer and Viva Delspec.
“It is great to see an honest mare like this get the black type,” Hayes said.
“It is the biggest win for her career so I’m really excited for the owners.”
A Prime Thoroughbreds syndication, Unchain My Heart has won seven of her 25 starts, and since getting out to 2400 metres and beyond, has won four of her past five runs.
“When you have got a horse that can stay you can surprisingly step up in class pretty quickly and she has done a fantastic job,” Hayes said.
Hayes won his first Bagot with Campaign Warrior in 1995.
Prime Thoroughbreds’ Joe O’Neill said his hope was that Unchain My Heart could continue to train on to contest next month’s Launceston Cup (2400m).
“I’d love to win the Launceston Cup but I’ll leave it up to David,” O’Neill said.
“He always said she would be stayer and we just had to be patient and she’s a valuable broodmare now.”
Dunn said drawing the inside barrier was of enormous help to Unchain My Heart who was able to get a charmed run on the rails all the way.
“There was a real charge to the post the first time and the tempo just kept on,” Dunn said.
“I was able to idle along inside and didn’t have to push the button until everything opened.
“She has done a lot of racing but is all heart.”
Unchain My Heart burst two lengths clear at the 300 metres and held on doggedly to the line.
Dean Holland got going around the field on Prussian Officer at the 800 metres and the horse was the widest runner in the straight and gallant in defeat.
Viva Delspec battled to the line well after racing just off the pace all the way while Persian Star was again an eye-catcher finishing fourth just in front of Crafty Cruiser.
AAP TURF
