Is Toulouse set to follow established path of David Payne-trained three-year-old stayers?
That seems a big call with Toulouse only breaking through for his first win in four starts at Rosehill on Saturday, but On The Watch feels he has demonstrated sufficient quality to suggest that he has sound prospects of reaching a much higher level in the new season, especially over longer distances.
Having his first start since 12th in the Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) in March and resuming after being gelded, the well-supported Toulouse settled in second last place in a five-horse field before running on well to win in the ATC Handicap (1400m).
Toulouse went on to score by a length and half from his stablemate Silent Explorer (Lope De Vega) with the previously unbeaten Ronstar (Zoustar) holding on for third after leading until halfway down the straight.
Visually, Toulouse looked really good over the closing stages – the latter part of the 1400 metre journey bringing out the best in him – and that was supported by good sectional times.
Clocked from the 1200 metres, Toulouse returned a 200 metre breakdown on the Soft 6 track of: 11.35, 12.02 (400m in 23.37), 11.99 (600m in 35.36), 11.79 (800m in 47.15), 11.63 (1000m in 58.78) and 11.96 to give him an impressive last 1200 metres in 1:10.74 on the affected conditions.
After the win David Payne commented to AAP: “I think Toulouse could be a Derby horse – the further he goes, the better.”
As the Queensland Winter Carnival is gradually winding down, feature racing last weekend saw the running of the annual Ipswich Cup meeting.
The main race was taken out by the Darren Weir-trained stayer Tradesman (Trade Fair) who staged a strong staying effort in winning after a wide trip under 57 kilograms.
The former West Australian-trained gelding, settled in seventh place, but trapped three deep, before steadily advancing (still wide) under a well-judged ride by Dean Yendall to put pressure on the leaders nearing the home turn.
Tradesman then finished gamely over the closing stages to claim victory by a head from the $26 chance First Crush (Husson), whom he conceded three kilograms.
Time for the 2150 metre journey, on the Soft 5 track, was 2:13.19 which is a 200 metre rate of 12.38, equivalent to 2:03.80 for 2000 metres – good time considering the conditions.
Tradesman is building a good record under the guidance of Darren Weir and the rising seven-year-old is expected to back up this Saturday in the Tattersall’s Cup (Gr 3, 2200m) at Doomben with the Caloundra Cup (Listed, 2400m) at the Sunshine Coast the following week also being a possibility.
In the Eye Liner Stakes (Listed, 1350m) the consistent Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old I’m A Rippa (Love Conquers All), recent winner of the BRC Sprint (Gr 3, 1350m), staged another good effort in fighting gamely for a narrow but impressive win.
I’m A Rippa showed his customary pace to lead, was headed halfway down the straight but rallied to score by a half head from the favourite, the Toby Edmonds-trained Tyzone (Written Tycoon), and record his seventh win, his second a stakes level, from 26 starts.
Time for the 1350 metre distance was 1:19.55 (200m rate of 11.78), which is equivalent to 1:22.49 for 1400 metres, a good time on the Soft 5 track.
In the third and final stakes race on the card, the Gai Waterhouse Classic (Listed, 1350m) the Gerald Ryan-trained mare Magic Alibi (Star Witness) impressed with late-closing effort in winning.
Magic Alibi began well from her outside barrier (14), settled nicely in eighth place, tracking a solid pace, before fanning deep on turning for home.
She then came with a strong run to score by a neck from the $31 chance Foxy Housewife (Foxwedge) in a time of 1:19.67 (200m rate of 11.80) – equivalent to 1400 metres in 1:22.62, again a smart time considering the Soft 5 track.
It was Magic Albi’s fifth win, her first at stakes level, from 28 starts and judging by Saturday’s win further stakes success is a sound prospect.
In the opening race on Saturday’s Moonee Valley card, the Shane Nichols-trained filly Tahitian Dancer (Dawn Approach) showed her potential in winning the Two-Year-Old Fillies’ Handicap (1200m).
Tahitian Dancer began well and settled outside the leader before getting to the front on turning for home. She then fought back gamely to win by almost a length in a time of 1:12.76 on the Soft 6 track.
Clocked from the 1000 metres, Tahitian Dancer’s early 200 metre breakdown was 10.91, 11.60 (400m in 22.51), 12.01 (600m in 34.52) and 11.98 to give her a quick mid-race 800 metre section on 46.50.
So she did well in fighting back to win, her first success in two starts to date, a performance to suggest more wins are in store for the lightly-raced filly.