"DASH" GIVES CHEVALIER REASON FOR OPTIMISM

THURSDAY: August 15, 2024: AS one door has closed, Marc Chevalier is hoping another has opened.

Whilst the Hawkesbury trainer’s good stayer Torrens, who provided him with an important city breakthrough in the Listed 2400m Christmas Cup at Royal Randwick in December 2022, has been retired, he is looking forward to preparing a stable newcomer for middle-distance racing.

At only her second start since joining Chevalier’s team, five-year-old mare Brooklyn Dash ($21) gave notice of better things to come when winning a Midway Maiden Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle today.

Ridden by Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick, who later completed a double on French Marine ($4.20) for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Brooklyn Dash got there in time to overhaul Kia Ora Gold ($4.60).

The daughter of Sebring might have started at double figure odds, but her trainer expected her to run very well.

Brooklyn Dash had not raced since mid-October last year when seventh over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast, and Chevalier gave her two trials before resuming her in a Midway Maiden Handicap (1300m) at Hawkesbury on August 1.

“She needed that run to help her fitness, and her work since has been good,” Chevalier said.

“Her last 600m that day was the second fastest, and I send out a regular newsletter to our owners, and made her the tip of the month.

“I knew she would appreciate the wet ground, and even though the 1600m is short of her best, our confidence was pretty high.”

Brooklyn Dash was a member of Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham’s Brisbane stable, and raced seven times in Queensland; her best performance being a close second in a 2200m Maiden Plate at the Sunshine Coast on September 3 last year.

Chevalier got the mare on the recommendation of a farrier he knew when he was assistant trainer to Gary Moore at Rosehill Gardens.

“He knew the owner was looking for a trainer, and suggested my name,” Chevalier said.

“Brooklyn Dash had a few issues when she arrived, and we took our time to get her right.

“She gets a lot of long, slow work and is thriving and looks terrific.

“I’m looking forward to getting her out in distance as the 1600m was suitable second-up as she continues to get fitter.

“I’m sure there is still a margin of improvement there.”

Obviously Brooklyn Dash has a decent way to go to emulate Torrens, but expatriate Frenchman Chevalier has shown that he is a very capable hand with a stayer and no doubt will get the best out of the mare.

. Brooklyn Dash was the 11th winner of the Hawkesbury training base in just over the first fortnight of the new season.