Dali finally gets the dough

After impressively qualifying earlier this season Dali Bread cleared maiden ranks today (Saturday) in the Anka Pipe Fittings Mobile Pace at Ascot Park.

Harness racing trainer Clark Barron said after the win that the gelding has had his share of bad luck. 

"Apart from one run in which he hung badly the rest he’s had bad luck. He’s still a work in progress but he’s got ability. He was only broken in twelve months ago so he’s come a long way in a short time and he was gelded late as well. He’s got talent but he’s just weak and immature,” he said. 

The three year old gelding by Dali Bread is owned by Aucklander Grant Dowdall.

“He’s been sending horses down here for a while. He's had a few slow ones but we won a race last season with Something Special. I’ve never met him but I’ve talked to him on the phone for about four years.”

Dali Bread qualified at Ascot Park in March this year winning a 2200 metre mobile heat by ten lengths in 2-45.7 and Barron has rated him from day one. 

“He’s a good looking horse and a very good pacer so it’s just a matter of waiting on him to develop.”

In an inch perfect drive by Nathan Williamson Dali Bread ended up four back on the inside running line. With 1800 metres to run Williamson was able to get the gelding off the running line and followed the three wide train forward. With 900 metres to run he was sitting parked outside leader Matai Valour. Dali Bread went down to the post to win easily by a length from Matai Valour. 

Returning to the birdcage                                  – Photo Bruce Stewart 

As a stallion Dali has left twenty one named foals in New Zealand. Eleven have qualified including winners El Barcelona (5), Gotta Go Dali Queen (4), Dali Bread (1), Jeremy Jones (1) and The Dali Express (1).

Clark Barron doesn't do too much driving these days, preferring to concentrate on training a large team at his base at Rakauhauka.

The stable is going through a rebuilding stage after horses like Rakarolla and I'm Full Of Excuses were sold to Australia. 

“We’ve got ten to a dozen being jogged up for next season already.”

One horse he's enthused about is Black Ops. He's by McArdle out of the twelve win mare Special Ops. Black Ops, which is a half brother to Bettor Ops, qualified at Gore in February and is raced on lease by The Setarip Syndicate. 

“We’ve just had to wait on him but he qualified pretty nicely.”

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing