By Greg Douglas / Dr. Sport
SCENE & HEARD: The aptly named Daz Lin Dawn was the darling among 3-year-olds at Hastings Racecourse in 2017. In ‘dazzling’ fashion, she won seven consecutive stake races to boost her career earnings to more than $280,000.
After collecting four major trophies at the B.C. Thoroughbred Awards Dinner last November – including Horse of the Year honours – the question on everyone’s mind was: “Will she be returning to Hastings in 2018 or are there bigger plans in store for her?”
At the time, the ownership group wasn’t sure. But over the winter months the decision was made to ship Daz Lin Dawn for training at Golden Gate in California.
“Two reasons figured into our thinking,” Paul Caravetta was saying in Silks last weekend. “First of all, we wanted to see if she had what it takes to race on the bigger circuit and secondly, because she is California-sired (Popular) we would be able to start her in protected allowance races.”
He says the plan at the moment is on schedule, gearing Daz Lin Dawn for a race during the first week of June. “But if things don’t work out,” Caravetta said, “we will most definitely be bringing her back home to Hastings.”
There was one minor glitch but nothing serious according to Caravetta. “The southern California heat got to her and her ankle swelled up a bit,” he says. “We gave her some time off but things are back to normal.”
There was certainly nothing “normal” about Daz Lin Dawn last season when she went on a remarkable once-a-month stakes streak with victories in the Ross McLeod (May 22), Emerald Downs (June 2), Supernaturel (July 15), Hong Kong Jockey Club (Aug. 7), CTHS Sales (Aug. 25) and BC Oaks (Sept. 9).
Daz Lin Dawn was purchased for $15,000 at the 2015 CTHS Yearling Sale at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley. Hoping lightning might strike twice, Caravetta now has in his stable Dapper Don, a 2-year-old half brother to Daz Lin Dawn sired by Second In Command. And in case you’re wondering … yes, the purchase price was $15,000. He made the buy directly from the breeder five months prior to last year’s CTHS Yearling Sale.