A variety of gear changes underpinned the success of Darating who broke through for his maiden win at Stawell.
A cross-over noseband, visors, tongue tie, ear muffs pre-race and blinkers have all been used on the Impending four-year-old who for the first time in his 11 starts didn’t figure in the stewards’ report at the traditional Easter Sunday meeting.
It has taken time for the Darating to learn how to race and even at Stawell at he was keen to get on with the job, racing with his mouth open for some distance.
Jockey Brad Rawiller had him in a good position early and improved to third at the 800 metres but needed a plan to avoid potential trouble as the leader and $2.50 favourite Star Of Ravenna hung out throughout the race.
“I was sort of summing up the situation even the half mile,” Brad said.
With Star Of Ravenna on the inside of co-leader Faerywood, he had to decide on a rails passage or go around them.
“I knew he (Darating) had not run a place and had been lacking confidence, so decided we were better off going to the outside and playing it safe,” Brad said.
He said Darating was travelling like a winner but didn’t expect to be forced so wide on the home turn and straighten up with just two horses behind him in the nine-horse field.
Despite the setback, Darating ($6.50) responded to Brad’s desperation, making up nearly three lengths to challenge at the 100 metres and outgunning Durham ($8.50) to win in a photo finish the Discover Northern Grampians Maiden (1600m).
“It certainly wasn’t the ideal scenario to straighten up 10-deep, but he was good in the straight and when he was challenged late, he stuck his head out.
Trainer Vincent Malady said it was pleasing to get a win with Darating who had been held up in races to various degrees at six of previous 10 starts while on another occasion he got his tongue over the bit.
“Since late last year he has had a tongue tie and ear muffs pre-race to calm him and raced in blinkers for his last two runs,” Vincent said.
“He was beaten in a blanket finish when fourth at Stawell in January so it was good to see the photo go his way this time.”
Darating cost Putch Puyat $20,000 at the 2023 Melbourne Inglis Sale and notably has Group 1 Queen of The Turf winner Neroli as his grand-dam.