Meeting In Review 16 February 2023

Date: 17-Feb-2023

It was a day for doubles at Ipswich’s Thursday race meeting. Legendary trainer Pat Duff recorded a winning training double, Larry Cassidy and Bailey Wheeler rode two winners each and a pair of jockeys even lost their irons during races.

Duff And Cassidy Combine For Winning Double

Hall of Fame trainer Pat Duff and champion jockey Larry Cassidy teamed up on Thursday to claim a winning Ipswich double with Bulsara and Devillain.

It was a perfect day for Duff with the master horseman bringing just the two horses to the races. The winning day kicked off in race 6, the GREAT NORTHERN Class 1 Plate.

Bulsara drew the outside barrier in the field of nine for the 1200 metres contest. That forced Cassidy to push early to find a forward position. After 400 metres, Bulsara settled in second just behind leader Plaintiff’s Friend.

Cassidy allowed his mount to amble up beside Plaintiff’s Friend as they straightened for home. With race fitness on his side, Bulsara found plenty in the straight to fend off the chasers that included Super Sprocket and Abu Simbel to win by half a length.

It was a good win for the son of Brazen Beau who was forced to work at both ends of the race. Bulsara was formerly trained by Chris Waller. Interestingly, Cassidy rode the gelding to victory at Ipswich during his time with Waller.

The veteran combination notched up their second win together in the final event of the day, the SCHWEPPES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap with Devillain.

The eight-year-old mare settled second last in the field of nine for the 1350 metres assessment. A mad speed battle broke out in front between Ipswich gallopers Enterprise Maximus and Stormtrooper which saw Devillain 12 lengths off the pace.

The outrageous rate at which the leaders went played into Cassidy’s hands. With 600 metres to go, the jockey with over 40 Group 1 race wins moved his mount into the race. Cassidy swept around the outside of the field to loom up on straightening. Devillain let down beautifully to leave the rest of the field in her wake and go on to win by 2.3 lengths.

Thursday’s win was the first at Ipswich for Devillain and came at her eight appearance at the Bundamba circuit.

Young Hoop Making A Name For Himself

Bailey Wheeler could be a name we’ll be hearing for some time if his exploits in the saddle at Thursday’s Ipswich meeting are anything to go by.

The apprentice jockey, who is just 17 years of age, not only rode a winning double but impressed with the way he went about it.

The New South Welshman only recently made the move north to continue his apprenticeship with Eagle Farm trainer Chris Anderson. So, to record a double within a few weeks is a great achievement.

Wheeler’s first win on Thursday came aboard Cabrinella in the EVENTS @ IEEC.COM.AU Class 2 Handicap over 800 metres.

Cabrinella was returning to the scene of her debut win which happened nearly a year to the day ago on 17 February 2022. The Rochelle Pereira-trained three-year-old was well supported and started a $1.90 favourite.

The daughter of Jukebox showed good speed out of the gates to settle in a forward position. It was a fierce go in front but once Cabrinella was given full bore by Wheeler, she shot clear mid-straight. With just 52.5kg on her back, she had enough in the locker to hold the chasers at bay and win by half a length.

Wheeler’s second win of the day came in race 8, THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT OPEN Handicap, when he partnered Magic Charlee.

The Mark Currie-trained gelding was on the quick back-up after running fifth to The Big Goodbye on Saturday at Doomben.

From the time the gates crashed back, Wheeler hustled Magic Charlee to find the lead. He didn’t get it his own way and only got to the front on his own at the 800 metres mark. The seven-year-old controlled the race as the field made their way around the bend.

Race favourite Acrobatic loomed large as heads turned for home but Magic Charlee was having none of that and lifted to hold on for a half-length victory. .

While Wheeler couldn’t have hoped for both races to pan out any better, it was his positivity in the saddle that got the results.

“They both worked out perfectly,” Wheeler said.

“The 800 metre race obviously goes quick, so I stepped from a good draw and got into a good spot with Cabrinella.

“Magic Charlee is really tough. He stepped a little bit slow but I just had to keep working, Justin (Huxtable) on the favourite (Acrobatic) made me work.

“To be honest at the top of the straight, I thought he was going to be out of petrol soon because I’d done too much work early but to his credit he dug deep and was able to get the job done.

“The light weight definitely helped him. As I said, he had to work but to his credit he toughed it out.”

The 3kg claiming provincial apprentice has enjoyed his short time in Queensland and plans to continue kicking goals in his adopted state for the foreseeable future.

“It’s been good coming here so far,” Wheeler said.

“Obviously I’m getting good rides and I’m riding for one of the best trainers so that’s helping my cause. If you get the better horses then it makes your life easier like today.

“I’m definitely sticking around.”

Skillful Horsemanship On Display

Not one but two jockeys lost their irons during races on Thursday and needed to show all their riding skills to be thrown from their mounts.

Justin Huxtable was the first hoop to experience a nerve-racking time in the saddle. In race 2, FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap, Huxtable’s mount Whistling Spirit put on a display suitable for the rodeo.

The three-year-old gelding dipped leaving the gates before shifting abruptly and nearly dislodging Huxtable. He did incredibly well to stay on the horse, but he did lose both irons. Unfortunately, that meant Whistling Spirit played no part in the race and Huxtable was forced to endure a severely uncomfortable time for 1350 metres. No doubt a bag of ice was required as soon as he dismounted!

The second incident happened in the ST PATRICK'S RACES 17 MARCH Class 4 Handicap. If you have not seen the race, I suggest you watch the replay and marvel at the horsemanship displayed by Ben Thompson.

Thompson was aboard the Jack Bruce-trained Quiet Riot for the 1100 metres contest. Their time together didn’t start under the best of circumstances with the six-year-old gelding undergoing a vet check after slipping and falling entering the track. He was passed fit prior to loading.

Once the race got underway, Thompson settled second on Quiet Riot. With 600 metres to go, Thompson lost his offside iron and became unbalanced. He was lucky to stay on.

For the next 200 metres, Thompson was basically a passenger as he did his best to rectify the situation. He put the persuader in his left hand to help him get around the corner, all the while trying to get his foot back into the iron. While this was going on miraculously the gun jockey managed to keep his mount balanced.

He got his foot back in the iron with 400 metres to go and still gave Quiet Riot a fighting chance. It was testament to Thompson’s horsemanship that they were only beaten by 2.8 lengths!

Most of the time a winning jockey is awarded ‘Ride of the Day’ but in this instance, I think it only fitting that Thompson receives the honour for the skill he showed to not only stay on his horse, but to keep the horse in the race.

Maddy’s Unusual Quinella

Toowoomba trainer Maddysen Sears was over the moon to win the opening event of the day, the IPSWICH EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap with Adelad.

Maddy, who co-trains with her father Tony, said Adelad was a colt that they have had a high opinion of and it was great to see him breakthrough for a win on Thursday.

The young horsewoman had another reason to be happy following the race. She revealed post-race that she is part of the ownership of striking palomino filly Gold ‘N’ Glamorous who finished second, which provided Sears with an unusual quinella.

Horses To Follow

Race 6 – Punt Your Way Out caught the eye flashing late to finish fourth behind Bulsara in the Class 1 Plate. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding will benefit from the first-up hit out but clearly needs a bigger track to unwind. Next start over 1350 or 1400 metres at the Sunshine Coast would be ideal.

Race 7 – Hearsay broke her maiden status in style with a strong on pace victory over 1350 metres. The Chris Munce-trained filly with striking markings looked to have plenty left to give as she crossed the line with a gap of 1.3 lengths to the second-placed horse. She’s always been a filly with potential and she looks to be set to deliver on that.

By Craig Sheppard

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