Promising stayer Darwinian provided Mike Palmer with the third winner from his former race mare Inyanga when he scored second up at Casterton on Sunday.
Jockey Dean Yendall rode a prominent race on the on the three-year-old, in the Finns Fine Foods Maiden Plate (1800m) who adds to the success of his siblings Inyangani and current stablemate El Sordo.
Darwinian showed promise in his two runs last campaign and improved on his first up performance at Bendigo where last month he had average luck and ran on home nicely for Dean.
Dean stuck with the son of Dundeel, who backed from $4 to $3.70, settled a length behind the leader Numbersneverseen ($4.20) and the pair dominated the race.
Trainer Jamie Edwards said it was an astute ride from Yendall after Darwinian had been caught in a tricky position last start.
“He took any bad luck out of play riding the horse like he did on the pace today,” Jamie said.
Darwinian was under hard riding from the 600 metres to put pressure on the pacemaker who had plenty to offer against the challenge, until the final 100 metres when the Emsley Lodge galloper edged ahead, to score by a half-length.
The $3.60 favourite Janey Bopper ran into third place but was no threat the quinella horses, finishing another 2-1/4 length away.
“He took us a bit by surprise when he ran so well finishing fourth at Terang on debut earlier this year and has kept improving,” Jamie said.
Jamie has trained for Mike Palmer for many years with Melbourne Cup performer Sertorius his best horse and Macrobius the first winner he bred.
We will never know how good Inyanga could have been as injury cut her career short after just three starts, but she has made an impression at stud.
Inyangani’s Kyneton maiden win was exceptional, but her racing career was also limited and El Sordo is a dual winner with more to offer.
Now that Darwinian is on the board, it will be fascinating to see how he progresses as climbs to more suitable distances.