POPULAR Bathurst horseman Darryl ‘Darb’ Munro had plenty of reasons to celebrate after the exciting win of Keeping it Real at his home track on Wednesday.
Driving the three-year-old Armbro Operative filly for his suspended brother Michael, he scored a literal last-stride win in the 2260 metres C0 class Bathurst Toyota Pace, which saw the first five horses finish within a metre-and-a-half of each other.
Munro settled towards the tail of the field, tracked Neil Day’s Classic Grange through the race and made his run with that horse as they straightened in, the two of them collaring leader and race favourite Trunkey Digger, right on the line.
To add to the very busy photo, Family Ambition came hard along the sprint-lane to stake a claim and Lucky Nutter, which had death-seated throughout, fought on strongly to be right in the mix. It was as close a finish as you would want to see.
It was a delighted Darryl Munro that made his way back for the race presentation.
The highly-experienced horseman, who learned his craft working for Tony Turnbull at The Lagoon for many years, hasn’t done much race-driving at all in recent years, concentrating instead on breaking-in and educating young horses for other trainers from his base at the Bathurst Showgrounds. He is highly regarded in this role.
Not only was it his first win on the new Bathurst track ( which opened in late 2014 ), it was his first win anywhere for at least that long.
“I’m struggling to actually remember my last win- I think it might have been at Orange, before they moved to the new grass track, with Wicker Veejay. It would have to be three or four years back, for sure,” he speculated.
A check of the records reveals that particular win with Wicker Veejay came back in November 2011, almost seven years ago.
A case of ‘it just seemed like yesterday’ or perhaps ‘time flies while you’re having fun’ ? Either way, many of us will readily relate to Darb’s memory lapse and forgive it !
“When I drove this filly last week for Michael, I quite enjoyed just hopping in to take the reins – I quite like this freelancing caper, I thought. Now, I’m even more certain that it’s a great idea,” he laughed.
And to complete an already satisfying night, he was the recipient of racecaller Craig Easey’s Drive of the Night award, for his perfectly-timed effort.
Other winners:
C C Jones NZ, in 3YO class, and Cherry Stride in C2-C3 grade, for Kerryann Turner, sharing the night’s best time of 1:56.6 , the latter winner blasting home in a 27.1s quarter to extend Kerryann’s lead over Steve Turnbull in the NSW trainers’ premiership
Shandance NZ, in a C1 sprint, and Smithstars Lexus in the 2260 metres fast-class, for Steve and Mitch Turnbull, both horses repeating their wins of a week earlier, and the former maintaining her undefeated record since crossing the ditch
Rainbow Comet, all-the-way in 2YO class, for Leigh and Jake Davis, a third win in 13 starts for the strapping Grin colt, which found this a big drop in class from the “1:51 and change” Breeders Challenge final, which was a memorable first Group 1 experience for his young driver
Lifes A Jungle, leading throughout for Bernie Hewitt in a second 3YO sprint reduced to just four runners following withdrawals, and the race providing a perfect hit-out for the filly in preparation for Saturday evening’s Breeders Challenge Blue Final at Menangle.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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