You only need one good horse!

[Wandering Eyes]

‘It's indescribable': One-horse trainer lands emotional Flemington win

Trainer Kevin Daffy celebrates with first metro win with jockey Ben Allen after Oh Too Good saluted at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

 

By Gilbert Gardiner
05:39pm • 07 June 2025

1

Comments

Kevin Daffy, "Australia's smallest trainer with one horse", is now also a Flemington winner.

Oh Too Good avenged a costly Flemington defeat last spring, touched off in the lucrative Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final, with a dominant victory on Saturday in the 1600m Benchmark 100.

Oh Too Good could now return to Flemington next month for the Listed Winter Championship Final.

"It's indescribable. My first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington," an emotional Daffy said.

"I wasn't really sure how she would go on the soft track. We all found out together today on a soft track – very pleasing it was a bit unknown – she's never run on a track other than a Good 4.

 

"Not in my wildest dream (train a Flemington winner), winning her first race … (Pakenham maiden) was enough for me.

"Everything she has done since has been a bonus. I know how fortunate I am, as I know how tough this game is. I'm the smallest trainer in Australia with one horse. It's indescribable."

Oh Too Good has won five of 11 starts and banked $569,450 for part-owner Daffy and connections.

The mare travelled sweetly in the run and burst clear in the straight to space Jimmy The Bear and Regal Vow.

Favourite Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, went back from a wide barrier and ultimately had too much ground to make up.

Oh Too Good was just that at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

Jockey Ben Allen, who sealed a double with the win after victory earlier on Miss Ole, endorsed Oh Too Good's Winter Championship Final potential.

"I was a little concerned coming up in trip because she didn't run out a strong 1400m (last start) but she had a few little issues that weren't right," Allen said.

"Kev has done a great job, got her spot on. She was a different horse today, relaxed a lot better for me, handled the track perfect and when I went for her she was strong right to the line.

"Jimmy The Bear obviously looked like the one to beat, but he drew awkward and he can step slow so I thought he might have to go back, I always felt we might be in the better spot.

"It was going to take a good horse to pick us up especially with how strong she was."

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TAKEN TO THE BANK

Taken completed a hat-trick with a dominant 1600m Three-Year-Old Quality win at Flemington.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained gelding, a three-time winner from eight starts and placed on five occasions, travelled comfortably on speed and kicked strongly late.

Cachink, a $41 outsider, stuck on boldly for second from Mometz and Detroit City.

Kent Jr said Taken would be tested at 2000m next start.

"I thought it was slightly stronger race than what he faced two weeks prior when he won and he's won by a bigger margin," Kent Jr said.

"He just kept improving that little bit, typical of the breed and type of horse he is.

"He's very consistent, yet to miss a place in all his career starts."

FEELING LIKE A WINNER

Flash Feeling broke an 18-month drought with victory in the 2000m Benchmark 100.

The six-year-old stable hopper, now with Dan O'Sullivan after previous campaigns with John Sadler and Lindsay Park, denied a gallant Liberami.

"He's always been a horse with pretty good ability," O'Sullivan said.

"That's only his third run for me, it's a matter of finding the right race for him.

"I was a bit worried this race might've been a bit tough for him, but he has been competitive at Benchmark 100 (level) before and today he did everything right and was able to capitalise."