Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Michael Dee posts ‘dream’ double at his first Melbourne assembly in months
Michael Dee celebrated his return to Melbourne racing with a ‘dream’ double, together with Saturday’s characteristic occasion at Flemington.
The New Zealand native teamed with the Peter Snowden-trained King Of Roseau to attain a 3rd win in Victoria’s first Group race of the season, the $200,000 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
The victory got here after teaming with Daring Soul to win the day’s second occasion, which was Dee’s first journey in Melbourne because the Mornington Cup assembly on April 14 earlier than taking over a two-month contract in Japan, the place he rode 5 winners.
“It’s a dream return and I’m simply hopeful now that it will probably proceed,” Dee, a 15-time Group 1 winner, mentioned of his time out.
King Of Roseau’s win got here 9 years after his maiden Aurie’s Star Handicap success, aboard Sooboog, whereas he additionally gained the 2023 version aboard It’sourtime.
Dee knew nicely earlier than the publish that he had a 3rd Aurie’s Star Handicap win within the bag with the $3.40 probability launching a robust run down the skin part of the monitor to attain a decisive 1-1/2-length win over Bandi’s Boy ($31), who completed a size away from Marble 9 ($5.50).
Splash Again, the $2.60 favorite, trailed King Of Roseau within the run however was unable to go together with that gelding when the race received severe and completed in fifth spot, three lengths from the winner.
Dee predicted the win, King Of Roseau’s fourth from 18 begins, wouldn’t be his final characteristic victory.
“The best way he gained that, there’s positively larger issues in retailer for him,” he mentioned.
“He’d had the one look down the straight earlier than at present in what was an excellent kind race, he acquitted himself nicely that day, and he gained simply at present and gave me a stunning really feel.”
Given King Of Roseau’s liking for Flemington, Snowden mentioned it was unlikely to be his ultimate journey to the monitor this season.
“Now we all know he actually likes Flemington there’s little question we’ll be again at a while via the yr,” Snowden mentioned.
“Not each horse handles Flemington down the straight, however this horse has received a little bit of an affinity for it and that was a dominant win there at present.”
Flemington has suite of straight-track options main all the best way to the Group 1 Champions Dash (1200m) in November, together with the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis High quality (1200m) on Makybe Diva Stakes Day and Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Turnbull Stakes Day.
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