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Meeting In Review – Wednesday 24 April 2024
Date: 26-Apr-2024
Metropolitan racing came to Ipswich on Wednesday, where seven-time Ipswich premiership winning trainer Tony Gollan was at the forefront.
The Eagle Farm conditioner claimed a winning treble with the stable’s first win coming in the opening event with smart two-year-old Balastier.
Balastier was facing the starter under race day conditions when he lined up in the 1100m contest.
The Brazen Beau colt mustered speed from the outside gate to lead before dashing clear for an impressive 3.82 length victory.
He looked to have more to give so the future looks bright for the youngster.
Gollan brought Exceed Speed back to Ipswich looking to replicate his last start heroics.
The three-year-old gelding didn’t disappoint, finding plenty in the straight to withstand the challenge of race favourite South Sea and win the 1350m Class 1 Handicap by 0.65 of a length.
The win kept the son of Exceed And Excel’s unbeaten Ipswich record intact.
Gollan’s third win came in the final event of the day with Radiant Remi.
The four-year-old mare defied a savage betting drift to run down the tearaway leaders and claim her first victory over 1200m.
The trifecta of wins took Gollan’s season tally to 13 and provided him with a clear lead in this year’s Ipswich Trainers premiership.
Fellow Eagle Farm trainer Chris Munce didn’t allow Gollan to enjoy all the glory, scoring himself a double.
The Munce-trained Walsh Bay showed plenty of heart in her debut race, fighting strongly under the urging of Justin Huxtable in the straight with I’m Heroic to win by a head.
The two-year-old will no doubt improve over further but it was a pleasing first race and once again proved that Huxtable is the jockey you want in a tight finish.
Rashford had been knocking on the door for a maiden win and finally broke through, delivering Munce with a race-to-race double.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor dictated in front on the son of Tosen Stardom before coming under siege in the straight.
To the three-year-old gelding’s credit, he produced plenty to win by a nose.
Last season’s leading jockey Jimmy Orman reclaimed top spot in this year’s Ipswich Jockeys premiership with a win aboard hot favourite Jonny Da Wolf.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding led the 1350m Maiden Handicap comfortably before given his rivals the slip at the top of the straight and going on to win by 6.32 lengths.
Another former Ipswich premiership winner, Sam Collett, found herself in the winner’s stall courtesy of a trademark ride.
The three-time Group 1 winning hoop partnered the Kim Loy-trained Adelaide’s Lace in the Maiden Plate over 1690m.
Collett stacked and racked them before dropping the hammer upon straightening and dashing clear to win easily by just under four lengths.
Other winners on the day included Sherriff Cody for Cejay Graham and Owen Glue and Sherriff Cody who was given a peach of a ride by Ipswich’s own Jake Bayliss.
We will host another Metropolitan meeting next Wednesday the 1st of May.
By Craig Sheppard
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