It was a return to the winner’s circle for Packer’s Bond after Blaike McDougall and the five-year-old son of Dundeel combined to take out the Ricky Thompson Memorial BM64 on Kilmore Cup Day.
Coming off a last start last at Kyneton after he didn’t go a yard on a Heavy 10 track, an improved run was expected on top of the ground on a Good surface and with a peach of a ride from McDougall, it was over with 200 metres to go as Packer’s Bond won eased down in the last race of the day.
“He was dominant in a way today,” said McDougall.
“He jumped well and travelled kindly in the run, before they backed off the pace mid-race before the leaders took off at the 600 and tried to slip away, but Packer’s Bond then showed a really nice turn of foot to reel in the two leaders.
“He won with a bit of hand in the end, he half switched off he was that far in front.
“He seems really settled now, Henry has clearly done a good job with him at Ballarat and there might be better races in store for him,” said McDougall.
The horse was having just his fourth start for the stable after being transferred from Mitch Beer, chalking up his second win for Henry Dwyer Racing.
“He was really good today, but gee he was angy before the race,” said Henry who was also on strapping duties on the day.
“He seems to be a horse that needs to be stimulated, I wouldn’t even rule him out on wet tracks again, he just didn’t switch on the start prior and I think I am starting to work him out better now.
“He is a really nice, naturally atheletic stayer, he doesn’t need a lot of work in between runs and he should get out further in distance.
“It was a nice win, Blaike rode him terrifically, he’s a really impressive young jockey and it would be good if we can keep him on this horse moving forward.”
Packer’s Bond might go on with it now with a step up in distance likely next start in a couple of weeks, with the aim to have Blaike and the five-year-old combine again to hopefully revisit the winner’s circle.