Grahame Begg has had a happy knack for finding a top two-year-old since he returned to training in Victoria and he’s certain he has another one in Dosh.
Begg produced Dosh to win the Group Three Ottawa Stakes at Flemington on Oaks Day against her own sex, following in the footsteps of Written By and Mildred who also won early two-year-old races.
Three years ago, Written By was victorious on debut at Sandown in December and two starts later won the Blue Diamond Stakes after claiming the Blue Diamond Prelude en route.
Last year Begg produced Mildred to win the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington in October and she followed up with a triumph in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield.
Although Dosh’s win was only narrow, Begg is unequivocal that Dosh compares to Written By rather than Mildred in ability.
“She’s much better than Mildred. She’s right up there with Written By,” Begg said.
Begg said Dosh’s winning margin of a nose did not reflect the merit in her performance.
“She wandered all over the straight but it was no surprise as all she had had going into the race was a three-horse jump out,” Begg said.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, Begg said he wasn’t able to give her a trip away from Caulfield to barrier trial and as a result Dosh went into the race inexperienced but won on raw ability.
The Rich Enuff filly returned to work last week and Begg is aiming her at the Blue Diamond at Caulfield in February.
“You’d love to give her more time out but you can’t as it’s a quick turnaround if you want to run in the Blue Diamond Preview and Preludes,” he said.
Begg’s other smart galloper Nonconformist has also returned to work ahead of the autumn.
Begg said the son of Rebel Raider would be set for the Australian Cup and would also be nominated for the All-Star Mile.
Two starts ago, Nonconformist won the Coongy Cup at Caulfield before taking on Group One company in the Cantala Stakes at Flemington where he finished ninth to Yulong Prince.
Begg was satisfied with the run saying Nonconformist was trapped three-wide throughout and was only beaten three lengths.
“I thought he would settle out the back and have the same run as the winner but it didn’t work out. I thought it was a really good run,” Begg said.
