JASON Deamer’s association with two of racing’s best-known families during his riding days has provided him with a nice horse in the making.
The Newcastle trainer clinched his 17th winner of the season when lightly-raced Pennart ($2.10 favorite) handled the heavy conditions at Tuncurry on Saturday to break through in the Super Maiden Plate (1400m).
Having only his sixth start and following four minor placings, Pennart won in the style of a young horse destined for further success.
After quickly surging to the front after the jump, the three-year-old was given little peace by eventual distant fourth placegetter Hongkong Harmony ($20), but shook him off on straightening and raced away to score by more than three and half lengths from another Newcastle representative, Kris Lees’ Pierro filly Perri Lass ($3.50).
Deamer chose to replace blinkers with winkers on Pennart following his first-up second to Hay Pearl as an odds-on favorite in a 1262m Maiden Plate at Taree on February 2, after also being taken on in front and left vulnerable when caught in the closing stages by Wyong mare Hay Pearl.
“I took the blinkers off and put winkers on to enable him to see other horses, and he reacted well,” he said.
Deamer, whose successful training career is approaching 350 wins, rode more than 100 winners during a brilliant but not lengthy time in the saddle, shortened as he kept growing.
After outriding his country claim, he transferred from his trainer father John at home to the legendary Jack Denham and son Allan at Rosehill Gardens.
“When Allan decided to retire from training not all that long back, he recommended to Pennart’s owners to send him to me to train,” Deamer explained.
“I came in contact with Geoff and Beryl White (both now deceased) when I was with Jack and Allan, and Pennart is raced by one of their daughters Judy Hudson and her husband Brett.
“They bred Pennart and race him with their two daughters, so he is a real family horse.
“The Hudsons use the White’s familiar purple and white colours (carried by a Golden Slipper winner and Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup placegetters) but in a slightly different format.
Pennart races in purple and white quarters and hooped sleeves and quartered cap.”
Pennart is the first foal of the Deep Field mare Deepwater, who didn’t trouble the judge in all her three starts for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
But the gelding’s granddam Liesele (by Exceed and Excel) won nine races, including the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in 2013.
Coincidentally, Pennart’s breakthrough came exactly six years to the day since his sire Written By brilliantly won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds at Caulfield.
With 17 winners in just the first seven months of the current racing year, Deamer is headed for his best season since 2020-21 when he prepared 25 winners.
HOOFNOTE: Stable star Hard To Say is likely headed back to Queensland for an Eagle Farm assignment on Saturday.
“I had him in a 1200m Open Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday, but didn’t go when he drew the outside barrier (13),” Deamer said.
Deamer has done an outstanding job with last start Group 3 Rosehill runner-up Hard To Say, who has earned just over $544,000 from six wins and three placings.
Three of those wins have been in Queensland; one of those at Eagle Farm where he has also been placed twice from four starts.
Story John Curtis, February 26, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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