Goldfields: Gentle eyes classics with Reward
By Ben Sporle, August 4, 2015 - 5:45 PM

Bendigo trainer Brian Gentle couldn’t have been more pleased with the return of Destiny’s Reward in the $80,000 1PRINT Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
The Reward For Effort colt, who finished third, was returning from a promising juvenile season that saw him win on debut at Bendigo in February before luckless but brave performances at Moonee Valley and Bendigo.
For the third time in his four-start career Destiny’s Reward drew awkwardly for the Moonee Valley race.
With Darren Gauci in the saddle, he went back to last and was spotting the leaders six lengths on straightening but found the line solidly to be beaten by just over two lengths.
“The run exceeded my expectations and to have to ride him back and close late adds another string to his bow,” Gentle told Winning Post this week.
Destiny’s Reward hadn’t raced in 19 weeks, having last started when fifth behind The Big Dance in the VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo on March 21. Gentle expects huge improvement.
“He was nowhere near ready and had only had one jumpout.
“Saturday will bring him on a massive amount, as he wasn’t originally going to kick off until a few weeks later and we used this race as a bit of a trial.”
Gentle will now progress to the $120,000 listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 22, which will be a “telling point” for the campaign.
His trainer is adamant the colt, who’s never raced beyond 1000 metres, will relish the extra distance and beyond.
Long-term targets could include the Caulfield Guineas or Golden Rose.  
Destiny’s Reward is the star of the Gentle team, relocated to Bendigo from New South Wales 12 months ago.
Gentle has 55 horses on the books and will soon regain the training of Destiny’s Reward’s God’s Own half-brother Destiny Rising, a last-start Gosford winner who began his career in Gentle’s care.
Dance disaster
Last Saturday didn’t go to script for Danny Curran’s boom filly The Big Dance, who finished fourth in the opening race at Moonee Valley.
After missing the start the daughter of Oamaru Force booted through to take the lead, but appeared to offer nothing under Dean Yendall in the home straight.
That disappointing result was just the beginning though. On pulling up at the 1400 metres the filly went through the inside running rail — dislodging Yendall, who was forced to forfeit his remaining rides.
“She’s got a very sore back and is very tender around the ribs area,” Curran said this week
“The vets have gone over her at the races — she didn’t have any internal issues and her heart rate was good.
“She’s eaten okay (but) is half in shock and probably has bruised lungs.”
While her spring campaign has been aborted things looked much more grim post-race when club officials pulled out the dreaded screen.

 

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