Daunting Lad Magic In Lightning

Winner: Daunting Lad (Latarmiss-New Day Dawning)

Race: BRC Lightning Handicap LR (1000m)
Sold for $20,000
Sale: 2003 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Kingdale Lodge
Buyer: William Naoum
Earnings: $673,050
Owner(s): W, GA, E, P & M Naoum
Trainer: Danny Bougoure (Eagle Farm)

Daunting LadGrand sprinter Daunting Lad ended a frustrating run of minor placings with a styish win in today’s listed $75,000 Lightning Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm.

Leading home a trifecta result for graduates of Magic Millions Yearling Sales, Daunting Lad upset the heavily backed Melbourne visitor First Command to win impressively.

The win was the first in two years for Daunting Lad – a grand campaigner who was turned out in prime condition by local horseman Danny Bougoure.

Bougoure, who trains Daunting Lad for the Naoum family, was a happy man in the winner’s stall after the race.

“He’s a very sound old horse,” Bougoure said. “And he’s done such a treat over the last three weeks.” 

“We might have to keep him to 1000 metres now,” he added.

Daunting Lad“That’s his go. Over 1000 metres with the pace on and he really attacks the line hard.”

“He looked great and it’s good to see him break through today.”

“He’s a champion old horse to do anything with. You wouldn’t know he was around the stables.”

“He’s pretty easy to look after.”

Winning rider Scott Seamer paid tribute to the never say die attitude of Daunting Lad.

“There’s still plenty of life left in his legs yet,” Seamer commented. “We tracked the favourite the whole way and he really attacked the line.”

At the post in the feature dash Daunting Lad ($21-$26) held a length and a half margin over the Freedman trained First Command ($2.25-$2.30-$2.05 fav).

Daunting LadAnother half length back was the talented five-year-old Another Takeover ($41-$51).

The evergreen son of Latarmiss was purchased by senior part owner and original trainer William Naoum for $20,000 at the 2003 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Kingdale Lodge.

Over a string of seasons he notched up ten wins and 17 minor placings and earned a staggering $673,050.

Daunting Lad, one of two stakes winners for his sire Latarmiss, is from the winning and Eagle Farm placed Standaan mare New Day Dawning.

New Day Dawning, who is a half sister to the dam of German Chocolate, has produced eight winners – Daunting Lad her stand out.

A French winning son of Sadler’s Wells, Latarmiss is standing the 2010 breeding season at Kingdale Lodge at a fee of $5,500 (inc GST).