Winter specialist Desert Nymph had the hide to present with a dappled coat at Belmont yesterday and then prevailed in a frenetic four-way finish after a perfectly-timed ride by Tash Faithfull.
Desert Nymph (Photo / Western Racepix) has timed five of her seven career wins in August and all five have been on tracks rated between a Soft 5 and Heavy 9. The Rommel mare was sent out a $25 outsider in the Vernon Brockman – 2025 WA Spirit Of Racing Winner Hcp (1200m) and was nowhere to be seen until joining the fray passing the furlong pole.
Front-runner King Adviso (Animal Kingdom) kept lifting closer to the fence when tackled by the favourite Shmoov Moova (Territories) and Want A Winner (Yes Yes Yes) before Desert Nymph descended in the final strides.
“She looks amazing and I love her even though she can be a headache at times,” trainer Michelle Hagley admitted. “She didn’t fire when I buttered her up at Pinjarra last start. That was a lesson learned and I’m glad we’re back at Belmont.”
Faithfull was winning for the first time on Desert Nymph at the her third ride on the mare. “She’s a ripper and ran a huge race when we were placed at Pinjarra two starts ago. Then she put in an average run last start so I wasn’t sure about today.
“I was thinking of excuses at the 600m because it felt she would like it further than 1300m. Then she jumped out of the ground for a really good win.”
Hagley prepares Desert Nymph for her mother Kate and the mare has earned $273,000 off a price-tag of $16,000 when graduating from the Mogumber Park consignment to the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.
Ridgeport Farm resident Rommel sired her from Fairy Nymph (Equiano) who was a Murray Bridge winner for Ridgeport Farm principal Santo Guagliardo. Her dam has also foaled last year’s Belmont debut winner Safe Satyr (Safeguard) who was subsequently sold offshore to Hong Kong. Now known as Star Satyr, he won at Sha Tin in June for trainer Tony Cruz.
Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for $5,500 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).
