Tori’s Dee has tested the friendship with trainer Jamie Edwards who still sports a broken arm from the cheeky grey but it was thumbs up after the gelding posted his first win in more than 500 days at Bendigo.
Ridden by Winona Costin, the five-year-old showed terrific fight under pressure when he and Demon Blood fought out Thursday’s The Big Screen Company 0-58 Hcp (1000m).
In desperate two horse duel the pair gapped the field with Tori’s Dee defying his challenger to score by a long neck with another 4-1/2 lengths back to Tom The Star.
The win brought up a winning double at the meeting for the stable after Miletus 30 minutes earlier scored over 1600 metres.
For the Emsley Lodge staff, it was particularly sweet victory as they were gifted the son of Zebedee to race by former owner Robin Bowles.
“It will certainly give the staff plenty to celebrate,” assistant trainer James Edwards said.
Tori’s Dee shaped as a very promising sprinter winning two of his first five starts but owner Robin Bowles was happy for the staff to race him after it became apparent the pony-sized galloper probably wouldn’t make it at city grade.
“There is always plenty of banter among the staff when comes to Tori’s Dee,” James said.
“Robin Bowles generosity has been great for the staff although ‘Tori’s’ did get Jamie in the arm a few weeks ago.
“He’s a cheeky horse and he can get you if you don’t watch out.”
While he hadn’t won since Echuca in October 2022, Tori’s Dee has finished in the top five 13 times in his 15 starts.
“We tried to stretch him out to 1100 metres a couple of times but he’s much more effective at 1000 metres,” James said.
“He’s only a small horse and had a big weight today but he was terrific when challenged and ran a smart time (56.92).
Winona Costin, who also won on Mieltus, was having her first ride on Tori’s Dee.
“When the other horse came to me my horse really dug deep,” Winona said.
“He was so strong to the line.”