Detroit City remains unbeaten after Flemington romp

Dom Sutton has only been training for 10 months but he could have a Caulfield Guineas prospect after Detroit City stayed unbeaten at Flemington on Saturday.

Detroit City gave trainer Dom Sutton his first win at Flemington. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Young trainer Dom Sutton could attempt an amazing training feat after Detroit City stayed unbeaten with a decisive Flemington success.

Sutton, who only secured his trainer’s licence in December last year, could have a crack at winning the Caulfield Guineas only 10 months into his career.

Sutton earmarked the Caulfield Guineas as a possible assignment after Detroit City comfortably disposed of his rivals in the TAB We’re On (1410m).

Detroit City ($3.40 fav) won on debut at Wodonga and had little trouble maintaining his unbeaten record under jockey Billy Egan, accelerating impressively to beat Adelaide galloper Big Brute ($13) by 2½ lengths.

Sutton, who worked for champion trainer Chris Waller and the Leon and Troy Corstens stable in the decade since arriving from England, said Detroit City could join his stablemate Feroce on the Caulfield Guineas trail.

Detroit City wins impressively to remain undefeated! 💪@[e-mail]/gXU5Y42MmF

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 3, 2024

Sutton said Detroit City could also get out over more ground, suggesting the son of Toronado could develop into a Derby horse.

“It’s nice to have him in my stable so early in my career,” Sutton said.

“When you’re two for two and win like that at headquarters, you have to have that on your radar.

“He might even get out over a further extended trip than that like a Derby.

“We’ll just take him home and let him get over today’s run and make a plan from there.”

Dominic Sutton has only been training for 10 month. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Detroit City showed his versatility in his Flemington success, which was also Sutton’s first at the track, racing off the pace at his second outing after settling near the speed in his jumpouts and debut win.

“He was bang on today and I loved the way he dropped the head and settled in behind,” Sutton said.

“He’s been a horse that we’ve put up on speed in his trials and last start at Wodonga so it’s nice to see him tuck in behind and switch off.

“I just loved the way he quickened as well so, fingers crossed, he can feature in some of those good races in the spring.”

TAB installed Detroit City as $26 chance in its Caulfield Guineas market.

Dawn rises to task again

Rise At Dawn has a simple way of doing things - but it again proved effective at Flemington.

The Lindsay Park-trained galloper likes to roll forward, race on the pace and tough it out in the last 400m, making his rivals dig deep to have any chance of beating him.

Rise At Dawn’s approach reached a 50 per cent success rate after the chestnut posted his fifth win from 10 starts in the VRC Season Premiere Race Day Plate (1620m).

Jockey Daniel Stackhouse perfectly rated the son of NZ-based stallion Almanzor to the home turn before Rise At Dawn pulled out enough, despite drifting out under pressure late, to get home by three-quarters of a length.

Co-trainer JD Hayes said the Lindsay Park set-up has been the key to Rise At Dawn’s consistency, especially as the four-year-old’s Flemington run was his first for four weeks.

Rise At Dawn fights hard to hold on and win! 💪@[e-mail]/REr8oJIgFT

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 3, 2024

“He did really well at the farm in between runs and he was rated beautifully out in front and gave a strong kick,” Hayes, who trains Rise At Dawn in partnership with his brothers Ben and Will, said.

“We’re very blessed to have the facilities we have to be able to keep them up.

“He’s one that absolutely thrives and he’s done a terrific job.

“He’s building a lovely record.

“He’s so consistent and there’s really nice residual fitness underneath him.”

Saturday’s race was Rise At Dawn’s eighth for the year but Hayes said the winner of more than $280,000 could build on his already impressive record.

“May it continue because the way that he runs, he’s an awfully consistent animal,” Hayes said.

“I dare say he’s got a few more wins in store off the back of that.”

Originally published as Detroit City remains unbeaten after Flemington romp