Meeting In Review – Wednesday 21 February 2024

Date: 22-Feb-2024

While just the six races were run and won at Wednesday’s metropolitan meeting, there was no shortage of quality.

Two above average fillies put their hands up as potential Queensland Oaks aspirants during this year’s Queensland Racing Carnival.

The first of the fillies to impress was Moszur in the TAB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1690m.

The David Vandyke-trained daughter of Churchill was having her second start after a good display at Doomben.

Ryan Maloney was in the saddle, as he often is with Vandyke runners, and settled just behind the speed.

Not happy with the lack of speed, Maloney made his move and found the front.

It was a winning move as the opposition were unable to go with the filly as she dashed clear for an easy 3.72 length victory.

Adding to the brilliance of the win was the fact the gun hoop eased her down with a 100m to go.

Maloney won the final race of the day aboard the Chris Waller-trained Zakiyya who despite racing wide throughout, produced a strong finish to defeat race favourite To Wish by just under a length.

Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan unveiled another talented member of his team in three-year-old filly Torabella.

The daughter of Toronado was having her first start in the Star Of CSI Maiden Plate and she could not have been more impressive.

With Angela Jones piloting, she showed good early speed to lead before powering to the line to win the 1350m contest by 3.26 lengths.

The way she ran through the line suggested that she would relish a longer trip.

Apprentice jockey Cejay Graham has been riding in great form and that was apparent again at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Graham teamed up with the Nat McCall-trained Laydownlily in the opening event over 1350m.

Using the inside gate to advantage, Graham drove forward to lead at leisurely pace.

The Better Than Ready filly looked vulnerable late, but she found plenty to stave off the challenge of race favourite Bernice’s Spirit and win her third race in a row.

Graham claimed a riding double in the very next race with Whisky Dream.

While there were only six horses in the race, there was a line of five vying for the lead, and it took some time for Graham to find the front.

The Kevin Kemp-trained gelding was able to get a midrace breather before booting clear at the top of the straight and win by just over a length.

Lady riders dominated the day with four of the six race wins with 2022/23 Ipswich premier jockey Sam Collett adding her name to the list with It’s Gerry.

The former North Queensland galloper was ridden with urgency from the wide gate to lead before Collett got busy in the concluding stages to lift her mount over the line for a 1.3 length win.

Racing returns to Ipswich on Thursday 29 February.

By Craig Sheppard

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