Denton Hall News

Dakota Gold to stay in training after a winning climax to is 2022 campaign

TRAINER Michael Dods has announced that stable stalwart Dakota Gold will stay in training as a nine-year-old after the 15th victory of an illustrious career today.

The admirable gelding showed all his fighting spirit to land the Vertem Leading The Field Handicap at Doncaster under another fine ride by Connor Beasley.

The Equiano gelding, who loved the soft ground, was winning for the third time this season, having won his first two races at Musselburgh and York back in the Spring.

Beasley rousted him out of the Doncaster gates to take a typical early lead and the combination got back up on the line after being headed by the James Horton-trained favourite Asjad.

Dods said: “He’s been a tremendous servant for the yard, and that’s him finished for the season now, but we’ll look forward to another campaign with him next year.

“We know he’s not as good as he was when he was running in listed and group races a few years back, but he’s won off a mark of 100 today, so he’s still competitive in high-end handicaps when he gets his conditions.”

Dakota Gold is owned by Doug Graham, Ian Davison and Alan Drysdale, who have also enjoyed great success this year with dual Stewards’ Cup winner, Commanche Falls.

Dods described the prize money put up by Doncaster’s owners, Arena Racing Company (ARC), as “disappointing” for a 0-105 handicap.