The Mick Van Gestel-trained Dark Glitter, under the guidance of apprentice Anna Roper, recorded its first win in 494 days with a brilliant performance in the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.
This victory occurred on a program featuring other notable winless streaks being broken: General Salute ended a 458-day gap in the Winter Stakes, Polyglot snapped a 525-day drought in the Kia Ora Handicap, and Anythink Goes trumped them all with his first win in 856 days in the TAB Handicap.
Dark Glitter’s success meant female jockeys had claimed six of the first eight races at the Rosehill meeting. Roper rode a double, having earlier saluted on Nullarbor Jane, while Siena Grima also rode two winners on Omolong and Hello Captain. Izzy Neale was successful on It’s A Tata, and Alysha Collett partnered Anythink Goes.
Van Gestel disclosed that he had contemplated entering Dark Glitter for the Listed Winter Stakes but opted for the easier path of the Ranvet Handicap.
“This race was short of her best but the Winter Stakes was a much stronger field,” Van Gestel commented. “I decided to go for the 1200m race because it was probably the easiest race she has contested for ages.”
Dark Glitter, priced at $14, finished strongly to run down the leader Smashing Time ($2.70 favourite) by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Midnight Opal ($9) secured third place, just over a length behind.
The mare’s return at attractive odds was noted by leading betting apps Australia, with Smashing Time starting as the $2.70 favourite after significant market support.
Smashing Time, attempting its third consecutive winter win, appeared to have the race won when it broke clear from the pack at the top of the straight, but it could not match Dark Glitter’s superior closing speed.
Dark Glitter had been placed four times at stakes level since her last win over two years ago, and her Rosehill triumph brought her career earnings close to $650,000.
Van Gestel had attempted to sell Dark Glitter as a broodmare earlier this year, but when she failed to meet her reserve price, the trainer decided to continue racing her.
“She’s a very good mare and obviously still racing as well as ever,” Van Gestel said. “Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long for her next win.”
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