KARMAZONE’S return to winning form at Warwick Farm on Wednesday could not have been more timely.
The nine-year-old’s last to first victory in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (2200m) was his first in nearly two years, and came on the eve of Wyong trainer Daniel Robinson and his wife Ali officially opening their new property at Somersby on the Central Coast.
Accomplished horseman Robinson, who previously trained at Hawkesbury, will operate his well-known DPR Breaking business from the property named “Revelwood”.
“We’re very proud to have our own place; it’s taken 10 years and a lot of hard work,” Robinson said en route home from the races.
“I’m sure we will be able to give our many clients an even better service.”
Expat Englishman Robinson has forged an excellent reputation as a horse breaker and educator; last year’s The Everest champion Think About It being amongst his many success stories.
But he also enjoys dabbling in training a few racehorses.
Robinson on spec paid $27,000 for Karmazone as a yearling in Adelaide in 2017 with the idea of preparing him to sell later that year at the Inglis Ready2Race sale in Sydney as an unraced two-year-old.
However, the couple took such a shine to the son of Eurozone that they decided to race him themselves.
Seven wins and 11 placings later, Karmazone’s earnings now stand at just over $300,000.
The gelding’s previous victory was also at Warwick Farm – both his city wins have been there – in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m) when ridden by then 3kg claimer Zac Lloyd.
Six placings ensued in the interim, but Robinson never lost hope he would win another race with the “old boy”.
“Karmazone is a sound horse, but being older he has to be kept interested,” he said.
“We wouldn’t push on with him if he wasn’t sound.
“He needs everything to go his way, but has been unlucky a few times.
“Tyler Schiller gave him a great ride to bring him down the outside from last entering the home straight.
“He is a special horse to Ali and myself, and it was very satisfying to win another race in town with him as a nine-year-old.”
Karmazone ($10) overhauled Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s $3.90 favorite Campaldino and Knights Armour ($9).
Whilst the stable stalwart is in the twilight of his career, Robinson kicked off the career of newcomer Deep Esteem at Newcastle a day earlier.
Raced by Cressfield, the Deep Field four-year-old ran a pleasing fifth to favorite Magic Shadow in a 1250m Maiden Plate, doing his best work at the end.
“If we can find a 1400m Maiden for him in the coming weeks, I’m sure he can be very competitive,” Robinson said.
. HOOFNOTE: Interestingly, five of Karmazone’s seven wins have been in the months of September and October.
He won his first two starts at Orange and Canberra in September and October 2019, and at Kembla Grange and Warwick Farm in September and October 2022; the latter being his previous success.
Not surprisingly given Karmazone’s liking for Warwick Farm, Robinson is eyeing another assignment there - a Benchmark 72 Handicap over 2100m on September 25.
Story John Curtis, September 4, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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