Pedigree Dynamics News Blog

Congratulations to Geoff and Heather Nichols, the proud owners of Daka's Gem, who earlier this month won the Ballarat Cup. The nine year old son of Sedaka, was purchased by Pedigree Dynamics after he had won an 1100m maiden at Scone and placed at both Cessnock and Newcastle. Daka's Gem was then moved to the Nichols' home state of Western Australia where he has gone on to perform amongst Group Company. Winning 11 races including the CB Cox Stakes (Gr2) and York Stakes (L/R) and placing in 5 stakes races including an exciting third place in the Fruit & Veg (Gr1), Daka's Gem has earned over $650,000.00 in prize money. Daka's Gem made the trip over to Victoria earlier this year as he was being weighted out of contention in his home state of Western Australia. With a view to making a transition to hurdling, Daka was transferred to Mornington based trainer David Brideoake. However, the planned switch to the hurdles has not yet occurred as the gelding has been racing so well on the flat. In the lead up to the Ballarat Cup, Daka's Gem turned in some unlucky but very solid performances in the Briesis, Moe and Werribee Cups as well as the Chris Isaak Handicap at Flemington on Stakes Day. With only 300m left in the race the leader kept plugging away at the same place while Daka's Gem found an extra gear and finished strongly to record a half length win. When asked about the gelding's future in hurdling David Brideoake replied "At this stage we haven't made a decision about jumping him but this win might make it a bit harder to decide" and "The Sydney and Brisbane Cups are worth thinking about. You would love a wet Brisbane Carnival. Hes a superior wet-tracker". Of his winning mount jockey Peter Mertens said "He's just very honest, he travelled perfectly in the run and gave his best when I asked him, it was a very good run".