Jockey Jason Collett completed a memorable day of riding at the Gold Coast when Demerara maintained her outstanding first-up record in the Silk Stocking.
Forty minutes earlier, Collett won the day’s highlight, the Group Two Hollindale Stakes aboard Life Less Ordinary before riding Demerara, the $5.50 favourite, to a half length win from Quilista ($8.50).
Nacim Dilmi, stable spokesman for trainer James Cummings, was confident the mare would cope with the heavy conditions.
“She’s by Commands out of a Canny Lad mare so we thought she would handle the ground,” Dilmi said.
“I was worried that she was a little further back in the race than we’d planned but Jason didn’t panic, he came around the corner full of confidence and got the job done,” Dilmi said.
Earlier, consistent sprinter Tycoon Ace cemented his reputation as a Gold Coast specialist when he ploughed through the heavy conditions to win the Bat Out Of Hell (900m).
Freshened up after finishing second in the Weetwood Handicap on his home track at Toowoomba on April 6, Tycoon Ace ($6.50) overhauled Spurcraft ($3.20) to win by a half length with Boom Chicka Boom ($6) two lengths away third.
Saturday’s victory was Tycoon Ace’s fifth win at the Gold Coast from only six appearances.
“He’s been going extremely well lately and his run in the Weetwood was very game to run second,” trainer Tony Sears said.
“A lot of the credit goes to Kevin Thomas at Washpool Lodge. I’ve had him down there since the Weetwood and he’s only been back in my stable for a fortnight.
“They did a wonderful job and I just put the finishing touches on him for this race.”