Dark Moon Rising Gains Deserved Success
Winning can be a real boost to a horse’s confidence. Dark Moon Rising has been competing in some top middle distance handicaps over recent seasons, making his task of winning all that harder. The second half of this season has seen his form take an upward turn after he got his head back in front, narrowly missing out on a couple more victories. Returning to the all-weather he made up for those and got the win in the 1m4f Stay In Control With BetUK Handicap at Southwell.
Having won a Sunday Series race, he looked to have a crack at a potential bonus by repeating the trick over 1m6f earlier this season. Trip, combined with soft ground scuppered this and so Dark Moon Rising would revert back to shorter trips. Some narrow defeats at Ayr sandwiched a fine effort at York in his penultimate few runs of the turf season. With that form the November handicap was mapped out as a good target, rounding off the turf season. The testing conditions went against the 5yo but with him being in good heart, connections were keen to have a go on the all-weather, aiming for a deserved win.
Southwell would hold a 0-105 handicap which attracted a varying level of handicap mark. With the top rated being 106 it meant Dark Moon Rising would be carrying the bottom weight, allowing Josephine Gordon to pick up the spare ride. Settled in the rear early on, Dark Moon Rising was able to track over from his wide draw as the early pace was steady, with the market leaders stacking up the field. He required a little niggling along in the early stages just get into a rhythm, but would do as they entered the first bend, with the pace increasing for a few strides.
Down the back straight very little happened, as the field remained in their same positions. Racing in pairs meant there was very little separating the whole field. As they headed towards the bend there was a small injection of pace to just stretch the runners out ever so slightly. The market leaders continued to dictate with Dark Moon Rising still sat patiently at the rear of the field.
Dark Moon Rising was again under a drive as Josephine had to begin working away swinging around the home bend. The first to come under pressure, trying to maintain his position as the leaders wound things up from the front. As they entered the straight the race definitely heated up and the leading pair kicked off the front, trying to catch the rest flat footed.
Passing the 2f pole the whole field were at work to try and catch the favourite who had now made a break and was making the best of their way home. Dark Moon Rising was slowly making up some ground and as he passed a couple of rivals, he really started to shift through the gears. It looked a tall order to chase down the leader but the whole dynamic changed entering the final furlong. Dark Moon Rising was bursting between rivals and as he started motoring the leader began to wander and slow down. Having started lethargically, Dark Moon Rising was now galloping enthusiastically and cutting down the leader. Nabbing the lead in final 50 yards he continued his momentum to sprint away and claim the win by 1 length.
It didn’t look likely for a long way but Dark Moon Rising ended up winning quite cosily. His form has been good all year and this win will see his handicap mark back up to the 90’s. It seems as though he doesn’t enjoy either extremes so the aw surface is perfect. There will be some decent races throughout the winter for Dark Moon Rising and he can continue to rise back up the handicap once again.