Cookie Monster A Big Chance For Dale
- Monday, 21 September 2009 04:59
Matthew Dale is 12 months into rebuilding his training career after taking a break from the sport and is hoping to again make an impact in town, this time with unbeaten filly My Cookie Monster.
Dale had established himself as one of Canberra's brightest young talents when he decided to wind up his stable and take an indefinite break two years ago.
He had enjoyed his share of success in town with the likes of three-time metropolitan winner Happy Finish but figured if he didn't take leave from the rigours of his chosen profession then, he never would.
"I started to train when I was 20 years old and it had been a hectic five years," Dale said.
"I decided to have a break and pursue a few different interests, take some holidays."
Despite his time away, Dale said he always knew he would return.
After travelling overseas, Dale returned as assistant trainer to Randwick's John O'Shea for a few months before heading back to Canberra where he now has 15 boxes.
"Once it's in you, it's in you," Dale said.
"I was always going to come back, although it probably happened sooner than I anticipated.
"It hasn't been too hard (starting over). A lot of my old owners came back on board and I got a couple of my old horses and some new clients."
Since his return Dale has celebrated a metropolitan victory with Gathering Light who scored at Canterbury in June.
He is hoping My Cookie Monster can deliver him his second when she lines up in the Denham Court Hcp (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.
The filly has won her only two starts at Gundagai and Wagga and while Warwick Farm will be another level again, Dale says the three-year-old is on the rise.
"She's had two starts for two wins so she's shown a bit of natural ability," Dale said.
"She's done a bit wrong in both starts so there is still improvement in her.
"She has been tardy from the barriers both times but she is against her own age and sex tomorrow so I expect her to run a bold race."
My Cookie Monster has drawn poorly in barrier 14 but if the four emergencies don't gain a start she will jump from gate 11 with apprentice Tommy Berry to ride.
Her rivals will include Cortina Gal, a last start runner-up to champion sprinter Silent Witness' half-relation Sister Madly at Randwick, and well bred Patinack Farm debutante Drivel.
A $600,000 buy as a yearling, Drivel is by super sire Redoute's Choice out of 2002 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder and finished fifth at the most recent of her two barrier trials.
