DUGAN in NZ Thoroughbreds News

A summer holiday has been the making of the Matamata two-year-old Dugan (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who has returned to realise his potential in the latter part of the season with consecutive wins, the latest a black-type victory.

The John Sargent-trained youngster showed early glimpses of his talent before he was sent for a break in January and yesterday at Wanganui he fulfilled that promise by claiming the Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes.

“This time back his efforts have been really good and he’s got better with each of the three runs,” Sargent’s stable foreman Hayden Allen said.

Dugan kept the best of company early in his career, including a fourth behind Recite at Trentham and a sixth at Ellerslie behind Ruud Awakening, respective Group One winners of the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and Ellerslie’s Diamond Stakes.

The son of Darci Brahma was third when resuming at Te Rapa in April and his Wanganui success followed his breakthrough at Awapuni last month, both wins in the hands of Hayden Tinsley.

Dugan was given an economical run in the trail on Saturday and when into the clear he rounded off in style. “Hayden gave him a great trip and everything went perfectly,” Allen said. Runner-up Aaja Nachle (NZ) (Fast ’n’ Famous) was game in defeat after showing early speed to take up the running and Mossimo (NZ) (Mossman) turned in an eye-catching finish from the back to take third money. The well-supported Dancer’s Tale (NZ) (Tale of the Cat) had her chance, but lacked her customary zip and battled into fourth.

Out of the Pins mare Snipza Gold – a four-time winner and placed in a Stewards Stakes – Dugan was a $60,000 Karaka purchase from last year’s Phoenix Park draft by the Victorian-based Brad Spicer, whose boutique syndication company manages the juvenile.