Danawi Holds on to Win Ming Dynasty Quality
Danawi beat Mizzy in a photo finish to the Ming Dynasty Quality. Photo: Steve Hart

Danawi Holds on to Win Ming Dynasty Quality

Danawi has held on to beat a fast-finishing Mizzy in a photo finish to the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Danawi had only made three competitive appearances at the races prior to the Ming Dynasty Quality and has finished second on all three occasions.

The Exceed And Excel colt took up the running after jumping well this afternoon and set a fair tempo in transit alongside the likes of Intense Focus, Mizzy and Cloak.

Offered clear running upon arriving at the final straight, jockey James Innes allowed the horse to balance before asking for an extra effort, and he was rewarded for the perfectly-timed ride when the horse just managed to pip Mizzy by the flare of his nostrils.

Trainer Tim Martin was pleased with the horse’s effort and confirmed that the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) will be his major campaign target.

“It was a big win, very close!” Martin said after the race.

“He’s a promising horse and he’ll go on well from here. The Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas and those sorts of races hopefully, but what I run in beforehand I don’t know yet – we’ll just wait and see how he pulls up.”

Inness delivered a gem of a performance aboard Danawi to win the Ming Dynasty Quality and was understandably thrilled to secure what is the biggest win of his young career to date.

“I was confident I got it but looking at the replay I might have gone off a bit too early!” the relieve hoop said after dismounting.

“The horse is still learning his trade as I said last start, but I was happy to see my number pop up.

“He could quite easily go the wrong way if he was with another stable, but Tim’s a great horseman and he shows that in his runners. I can’t complain with how he’s going.

“He relaxed well, we got a nice time in front. We got one back today.”

Danawi remains a $26 shot in early 3018 Golden Rose betting.