Finally living up to his name!

RESPECTED horseman Bruce Harpley admits he has had to change his opinion of Dashing during the past couple of months.

Referring to the gelding as "dumb" when he first arrived in mid 2024, Harpley is pleased to describe Dashing as a "pretty handy type" given his recent form.

An exceptionally-bred pacer, Dashing boasts four wins from his last five starts, with his latest victory coming in last night's Leeton Cup.

By Art Major, the four-year-old is from champion mare, Frith, which won eight Group Ones on her way to earning $1,180,345.

"He was anything but dashing when he first got her," Harpley said. "He was lazy, wouldn't get on the bit, hung and was not interested in going.

"I normally train them in an open bridle, but the 360 view was too much for him and he just wouldn't go...he was like a dumb two-year-old.

"But he has just kept improving all the time. He wants to go now and I have been thinking lately I have to change my opinion of him, and after last night, he has convinced me."

With Harpley in the cart, Dashing showed a tremendous amount of intestinal fortitude by racing in the 'death seat' on his way to two-and-a-half metre win from Captains Catch.

Scared Stiff was four metres away third in 2:00.9 over 2582 metres.

"Last night was a step up for him, but I felt he had a good chance," Harpley said. "I think racing over a longer distance will suit him as he has a bit of his mother's strength.

"The Temora Cup is on in a couple of weeks, and although I haven't ruled it out, I may bypass that and head to the Junee Cup after that.

"Dad and I have won a couple of Junee Cups as drivers, but have never won it as trainers, so it is something I'd like to do.

"Training the winner of my hometown Cup would be pretty good and I may have a couple of solid chances this year."