Hawkesbury preview: A solid second-up run has syndicator Scott Darby confident Midnight Dynamite is ready to find winning form

Owner/syndicator Scott Darby feels an improved run by Midnight Dynamite in his return to Sydney racing has the gelding ready to regain winning form when he heads to Hawkesbury.

Midnight Dynamite can get back to winning form at Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

Leading syndicator Scott Darby was pleased to see Midnight Dynamite bounce back from his first-up failure with a close second and feels with a touch of luck, can go one better.

The three-year-old was given a chance in the Inglis Sprint down the Flemington straight first-up but just got bit lost when finishing twelfth behind El Morzillo.

Midnight Dynamite appreciated getting back to Sydney around the bend when finishing just over half-a-length behind Ballroom Bella on the Kensington two weeks ago.

“It was a bit of an afterthought to go to Flemington,” said Darby.

“We cut his spell short and to get there because they are only three once and thought he earned a short at it with his strong form in the spring.

“He improved off that into Kensington the other day and he has improved again since then.”

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The son of Pierata won three of his first four starts and followed with a third to Private Harry at Rosehill, a second to Arriving Home and a third behind Dance To The Boom in the Gosford Guineas.

“He is a horse who surprised us when he came on the scene as he just kept stepping up,” Darby said.

The gelding is a leading contender in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m) where he has drawn barrier 8.

“This looks a really nice race for him and he deserves another win because he has been running so consistent in decent grade,” he said.

Enter The Dragon is building a solid record with three wins from five starts and looks a great chance to add to his record in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m).

The three-year-old scored a fighting win from Kattegat first-up at Kembla before a second to the progressive Money Team at Wyong.

He then bounced back with a stylish two length win from Magnucat at Kembla.

“He is a tough horse and has done a really good job in his short career so far,” Darby said.

“Typical of a Waterhouse horse, he puts himself up on pace and is in for the fight. I like that in a horse.

“He doesn’t have a huge turn of foot but that fight and tenacity takes them a long way.

“I give him a good chance.”

🐉 Louis Beuzelin rode like he was at Royal Ascot to get ENTER THE DRAGON home in front on debut 💪🏼 Congratulations @Darby_Racing and that's 2YO winner number 1️⃣5️⃣ for Tulloch Lodge so far this season 🍾 🥇 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BzQVlgp3K8

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Darby Racing also have Hellfire Express and Line Of Fire in the same race but wide barriers may see them saved for another day.

Darby Racing’s first runner for the day is Iowna Benz in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

The three-year-old is a full-sister to fellow Darby runners Iowna Merc and Istolea Merc and is showing plenty of the family’s talent winning her first two starts before a fifth at Kembla to end her first campaign.

“She is a little bit smaller than her brothers but she is a very sharp filly who will appreciate the shorter trips,” Darby said.

“We a very happy with the way she has come back this time in. She is stronger this time in.

“This looks quite a competitive race but she is certainly going well and we are looking for a forward showing from her.

“She has drawn well and gets a claim from Anna Roper.”

Darby Racing have Collect Your Cash, Campaldino and Rattle And Hum in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) but that could reduce to just two starters.

“I’m not sure if Campaldino will run. He is also entered for the Orange Cup on Friday,” said Darby

“It was no surprise to see Collect Your Cash win first-up but he will appreciate getting out over further.

“Rattle And Hum is second-up and will need further but he will be there trying his guts out.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Trainer David Payne declared State Of America something of a good thing beaten last start but has found an ideal race for the gelding to bounce back.

Carrying 60.5kg, State Of America went back from the outside barrier and was held up in the straight until the 200m before gaining a rails run and finishing a three-quarter length third behind I Am The Empire and Campaldino.

That was a Benchmark 78 over 1800m on the Kensington where he gave the first two horses 5.5kg and 4kg respectively.

“He should have won,” Payne declared.

“He was checked a few times up the straight and had to keep picking up under his big weight so it was a very good effort.”

Payne has the gelding in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1600m) where he drops down to 55.5kg with Zac Lloyd on board.

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“This is a very suitable race which has worked out well,” Payne said.

“He gets in very well at the weights and there a lot of stayers in the race too which helps.

“He has drawn a perfect barrier where should settle fourth or fifth and Zac rides him very well.”

Stablemate Highborn Harry was also unlucky not to have won when resuming with a short half head third behind Inferencia in the Midway at Rosehill on March 22.

After settling last, Tom Sherry saved ground by taking inside runs on the gelding who flashed late to just miss.

The four-year-old steps out on the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) where he has drawn barrier 2.

“He was unlucky first-up. Unfortunately, he is his own worst enemy. He is a slow starter so he is going to be back. That’s the only negative,” Payne said.

“He is a horse you have to leave alone early but if there is speed on, he will be motoring home and with a big field, there should be speed in the race.

“He is one of those bread and butter horses and this looks a nice race for him second-up and he will be better suited as he steps up in trip.”

Payne was happy with the first-up run of Monfelicity when sixth behind Tenderize over 1300m at Rosehill.

“She went to stud but didn’t get in foal so the owners sent her back,” he said.

“I was happy with her effort the other day. It was a good run.

“She still might need the run but I think she will still be competitive.”