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UNBEATEN FILLY PURCHASED WITH A SINGLE BID

Provincial Racing NSW



IT’S not always the case when you can buy a yearling with a single bid.

But it happened with lightly-raced filly Island Dec, who made it two wins from as many starts and formed the middle pin of a home track treble for leading Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Price on Thursday.

Island Dec ($2.10 favorite) took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) between Satness ($4.40) winning the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) and another favorite and stablemate Fugitiva ($3.50) taking the closer, the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m).

Luke Price on Thursday evening told the story of how Kermadec three-year-old Island Dec was purchased for $30,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale.

“Dad and I bought two horses at that sale, and it would have been nice to get a double with them,” Price said.

“We went there to buy Century Song (who ran second on debut as a $2.20 favorite in the CG&E Maiden Handicap, 1200m), which we did for $45,000.

“But we also had a look at this Kermadec filly as Dad really likes the stallion.

“We got her out of her box and walked her, and immediately took a shine to her.

“I was going to Hawkesbury races the next day, and Dad said he was going back to the sale to try to buy her.

“She was the very first lot on the last day of the sale, and he got her with one bid of $30,000.”

Island Dec came from well back when she won a 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) at home on June 24 on soft ground at $13 – and no such luxury odds were available this time on a heavy track.




Tommy Berry rode her then and again on Thursday when she drew the outside barrier in a field of 10. After being bumped heavily at the jump when another runner (Full Revolution) began awkwardly and shifted out, he eased her back to settle in second last place.

Island Dec showed a brilliant turn of foot when taken to the outside in the straight, and had nearly three lengths to spare over runner-up Misty Legend ($9) when the finishing post was reached.

“We bought both horses (Island Dec and Century Song) on spec, and had offers for them after they trialled,” Luke Price said.

“But we knew what we had, and I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of fun with them.”

Satness (Sam Clipperton) has been a good performer for the father and son training team, and clinched his sixth victory, (including a 1600m Royal Randwick Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap just over 12 months ago), along with 17 placings.

Four-year-old Supido mare Fugitiva ended a frustrating run of outs for Newcastle jockey Dylan Gibbons, but not before some anxious moments.

Fugitiva travelled strongly entering the straight, but was held up from the 400m until Gibbons shifted in on her across heels to secure clear running near the 250m.

She burst through and narrowly defeated Trapeze Pleasure ($7), who was much wider on the track.

Gibbons hadn’t ridden a winner since scoring on Magic Shadow (his first of the new season) at Newcastle on September 3.

Whilst he has been absent from the winner’s stall, he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.




“I didn’t want to get Fugitiva’s benchmark rating up by winning a lost easier,” Gibbons said, tongue-in-cheek.

“I was on a very fit mare, and she did a good job.”

Fugitiva is building a nice record, this being her third win from nine starts and she has also been placed on four occasions.

Fellow Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker continued his excellent run by winning the opener, the Provincial 4YO & Up Maiden Plate (1600m), with Equilibrist ($6).

Carrying the same royal blue and orange colours as Parker’s retired champ Think It Over, Equilibrist (Lee Magorrian) defeated Hawkesbury pair, Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard’s Irish Anthem ($3.20) and Ed O’Rourke’s Kazotsky ($3 favorite).

A four-year-old son of Trapeze Artist, Equilibrist was having his ninth start.

Story John Curtis, October 3, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos



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