Eamonn’s Memory made it back-to-back wins with a strong victory in race seven’s benchmark 64 handicap (1300m) at Wangaratta on Thursday.
After saluting in a benchmark 58 at Benalla on May 7, the five-year-old gelding continued his rich vein of form on his home track as Cory Parish guided the galloper to a near one length win at a valuable $11.30.
“He’s in rare form at the moment,” Dale said.
“Making that step up to 64 grade was really important, he was two back at Cranbourne in a (benchmark) 64 on a Friday night and was a little bit unlucky.
“He went back and won a nice (benchmark) 58 at Benalla a couple of weeks ago so we were confident he’d be competitive but to see him do that was really good.”
Parish settled two wide midfield from gate seven before swooping on the turn and running down his rivals.
“He was pulling early,” Dale said.
“I think the key with this horse is we’ve brought him back in trip, sometimes with the Per Incanto’s on the dam side you think he’s going to get out to a mile and 1800m – and he’s won at 1800m – so a lot of the time he’s over-raced and got a hold of the apprentices.
“Cory’s (Parish) got the keys, he’s settling, travelling and finishing off his races.”
Eamonn’s Memory has had a 21-run prep for five wins thus far with Dale outlining the key to keeping the galloper fresh.
”He hardly goes under saddle,” Dale said.
“We were just talking to one of my good owners before, I think he might’ve been up for around 20 runs so he does lots of swimming in the pool – we’ve got great facilities here at Wangaratta.
”He just needs TLC and swimming, he’s hard fit at the moment so we don’t do a hell of a lot with him.”
Dale was stoked to win at his home track of Wangaratta.
“Very much so (is it good winning at Wangaratta), especially with good owners and a good horse like this,” Dale said.
“My son picked him out and we paid a bit for him a number of years ago, about $40,000, which is a lot of money for a small stable.
“He’s starting to find his feet and is in great form now.”
