Revitalized sprinter Special Reward shouldered 59kg to score a clear-cut victory in the LR Carrington Stakes (140m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Special Reward (6g Demerit – Special Kiseki by Special Bond) had won the LR Razor Sharp Hcp (1200m) last month before finishing second in the LR Christmas Classic (1200m) at Canterbury on January 7.
His summer resurgence ended a drought going back to Group 3 strikes in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) and Newcastle Newmarket (1400m) in 2020. “We didn’t lose faith because he was working so well at home, so it’s not a huge surprise and it’s good to see some consistency,” trainer Kris Lees said.
“He had a bit of a lull but has found his form again. It’s very satisfying because he was purchased from Western Australia for a fair bit of money and now he’s won more than a million dollars.
“He’s getting up in the weights, so we will have a think about it and back off him at some stage because he likes a bit of give in the ground.”
The son of former Taunton Vale stallion Demerit began his career with six wins at Ascot and Belmont for Peter and Kerry Caporn before they sold a significant share to Australian Bloodstock. The Perth couple had bought him for $145,000 from Taunton Vale at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions.
“We gave him a nice long break before this preparation,” Lees added. “He looked likely to be in the finish a long way from home but you can’t expose him too early. Glyn (Schofield) rides him so well.”
Special Reward’s prizemoney on Saturday consolidated Demerit in third place on the WA sires’ premiership with $1.51 million behind Blackfriars ($1.82m) and Playing God ($1.59m).
Demerit (Lonhro) died in July 2019 and his final-crop fillies Revitup and Pot Shot have sent him to the top of the WA 2YO table. The Dion Luciani trained stablemates are raced by Loloma Farms and have combined to earn almost $400,000.
