Devonshire Duke Leads Throughout

Suited by a step up to the mile of Saturday’s TattsBet Handicap at Morphettville, Devonshire Duke was back to his best at his third run this campaign.

Close up when fifth and second at his first two Mornington and Geelong outings this campaign, Devonshire Duke had been strong in track-work since and Michael Moroney was not surprised by the strength of his victory.

“He raced right up to his work,” he said.

Jumping straight to the front for the in-form Jamie Kah who rode a winning treble at the meeting, Devonshire Duke straightened a couple of lengths in front of his rivals.

And he just kept on going!

Proving 2¾ lengths too strong for his rivals, Devonshire Duke recorded the fifth win of his 23 start career – increasing his prize money tally to $135,925.

A horse who has performed well in four states, Devonshire Duke has now won in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide and hopefully the best is still to come with a Moonee Valley mile race in a couple of week’s time earmarked for him.

“He was very strong to the line,” Moroney said – “he is racing really well this time in.”

Congratulations to Devonshire Duke’s owners Gurners Bloodstock Co, Noel & Judith Griffin, Jarrod Douglas, Darren Mcmurray, Peter Walker, Andrew Locantro, T Russell, C Oliver, Jackie Baldwin, Anne Bergin, the DD Syndicate, the GPJA Syndicate and the Numurkah Blues Syndicate.

And good luck to the owners of our next two runners this week – Girls On Film and Jemerica who both head to Caulfield on Wednesday.

Taking her place in the Cove Hotel Handicap with Glen Boss aboard, Girls On Film is having her second run this campaign having caught the eye with a strong finishing second at Sale first up.

A mare who boasts good second up form, Girls On Film has “trained on well,” according to Moroney who added that “the wetter the better for her.”

A couple of races later we will be cheering home Jemerica in the Sportingbet Handicap with Jordan Childs aboard.

Racing in consistent form this time in, the three-year-old stormed home for second at Caulfield last start and looks ready to go one better.

“She has strung a few nice runs together,” Moroney said. “She has a bit of a tough draw (16) but she gets back anyway so it shouldn’t really matter. She should prove hard to beat.”