Overdue Dark Jewel win for Daysee Doom

Former champion jockey Ron Quinton has nurtured the careers of many of Sydney’s young riders.

So it was with great pride he watched his latest protege Andrew Adkins win the Group Three Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on the Quinton-trained Daysee Doom.

And there probably hasn’t been a more deserving winner of a stakes race this autumn with Daysee Doom going to Saturday’s 1400m race off three Group placings and a fourth in the Group One Coolmore Classic.

“She is very deserving. She has been a model of consistency and is as tough as old boots,” Quinton said.

“She has been knocking on the door and it was a great ride by Andrew.

“You’ve got to give these kids the chance in these races.

“I’ve always been one to support them and give them a break.”

Punters also believed Daysee Doom was due for a win, sending her out the $4.80 favourite.

Adkins repaid his master’s support with a cool ride, producing Daysee Doom in the straight with the four-year-old holding off Prompt Response ($5) by a long head with Serene Majesty ($26) another half neck third.

After winning the first race on the program, Adkins now has a healthy eight-win lead over James Innes in the Sydney apprentices’ premiership.

He has ridden Daysee Doom throughout her preparation.

“I can’t thank the owners enough for sticking by me,” he said.

“Ron and everyone in the stables. I’m just so grateful.

“It’s a big thing for a trainer to put an apprentice on when you can’t claim in a race. Especially in a Group Three.

“It’s pretty special and I’m pretty excited.”

Quinton said he was likely to give Daysee Doom a break but did not discount running her in the Glenlogan Park Stakes in Brisbane.

The decision to divert Quatronic from a Class Six race in Brisbane to the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone paid dividends for trainer Matt Dunn when the four-year-old led all the way under Kathy O’Hara.

“He won pretty well against the pattern (of the day),” O’Hara said.

“He’s been well placed. He’s got seven wins from 11 starts.”