Studleigh Kristen wins at Dubbo

There was a point when Studleigh Kristen was almost retired as concerns around her ability as a two-year-old began to pile up. But harness racing trainer Leigh Davis was persuaded by his father Ray, who owned the mare, to stick with her.

It’s proved a smart decision as Studleigh Kristen has gone on to carve out a handy career for the Davis team and she scored her 10th career win at Dubbo Harness Racing Club on Wednesday night.

With Jake Davis, Leigh’s son, again doing the driving the six-year-old produced a strong run to take out the Yeo Family Penrith Panthers Pace (2120m).

“She’s my pop’s favourite horse,” Jake said after the win.

“As a two-year-old she was sacked and she was going but Ray kept her and lucky he did. We’ve won a few with her and she’s a nice little mare who’s going well.”

Studleigh Kristen went into the event after a third-placed finish at Young but she was drawn perfectly at Dubbo and after getting away well from gate two she settled second behind Lorenzo Shannon ($10).

Jason Turnbull did a fine job in getting Master Benny ($6) into third spot on the inside after starting out wide but he struggled to find any room to move behind the leader.

Pre-race favourite Faster Blaster ($2.90) sat at the very back of the field but after getting the bell he began to make a move forward.

Lorenzo Shannon was under all sorts of pressure up front as Studleigh Kristen continued to sit steady under Davis.

Alabama Tyson ($7) launched an almighty charge from deep along the inside and threatened but Davis made his move as they rounded the bend for home and went on to win by 3.8m from Rodney Lemon’s hope while Master Benny was third.

As a horse that always finishes well, Davis is often forced to sit deep with Studleigh Kristen in the field and make a move late but that wasn’t the case in Wednesday’s win.

“She lacks a bit of gate speed but she got out of the gate well and (gate) two is the best draw for her,” the winning driver said.

“She always sprints home. She’s a tough horse.”

The Yeo Family Penrith Panthers Pace was one of the night’s highlights. Current Panthers Isaah Yeo and Kaide Ellis were at the track and brought with them a signed Penrith jersey which was raffled off.

The winners of the raffle had a big night, and the same went for the Davis’.

Five horses made the trip to Dubbo, a large number for the Davis team.

​Based at Browns Creek near Orange, the Davis’ currently have about 15 horses in work and they finished Boxing Day with a double after Rays Choice ($4.40 equal favourite) took out the TAB Pace (1720m).

By Nick Guthrie

Reprinted with permission of The Daily Liberal