Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Listed Pioneer Services Rowley Mile, $185,000, 1600m
Race summary
The big, grey Berdibek (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) proved too strong for the resuming Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in a competitive edition of this feature contest.
The John O’Shea-trained gelding was taken back from barrier five by Brenton Avdulla and followed the aforementioned Kukeracha throughout the vast majority of the race.
On straightening, Avdulla was faced with a wall of horses but remained composed and continued to bide his time. A gap ultimately presented towards the inside and allowed him to find clear air with more than 300 metres to run.
From there, Avdulla got to work on the 8-year-old before riding him out hands and heels over the final 50 metres.
The Chris Waller-trained Kukeracha had all the favours in the run but was ultimately beaten by a match-fit seasoned galloper.
Surf Dancer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) rounded out the minors in a distant third ahead of a sound Blue Soldier (USA) (War Front {USA}).
Pedigree notes
Berdibek is the second of five foals out of a daughter of the G2 Deauville Prix de Pomone winner Bernimixa (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}).
His dam Beraviyna (Ire) (Zamindar {USA}) is a half-sister to G1 HKJC Queen Elizabeth II Cup third placegetter and G1 Caulfield S. third placegetter Berouni (Fr) (Peintre Celebre {USA}).
Beraviyna hails from the second dam line of French stakes winners Miraculous (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and Winkle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Berdibek is the first winner this season for his Group 1-winning sire Dark Angel (Ire), who himself is responsible for nine individual Group 1 winners, including recently retired star sprinter Battaash (Ire) and Darley shuttle sire Harry Angel (Ire).
Harry Angel will stand the upcoming breeding season at Darley Kelvinside for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
