Glam’s form absolutely spot on
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Absolut Glam and James Winks secure their first Group 1 win (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Absolut Glam was rewarded for her consistency on Saturday, June 21 by winning her first Group 1 race which happened to also be a first for jockey James Winks.
The filly secured the win 100 metres out from the post when Winks found the clear at the home turn in the Qld Breeders’ Winter Stakes (Fillies and Mares) 1400m to claim the final Group 1 race for the season.
A $200 fine by Stewards for waving his whip before the winning post wouldn’t have subdued Winks’ celebrations too much after the win fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“It’s every jockey’s dream to ride a Group 1 winner,” Winks said. “You sort of begin to think the day’s never going to come but you’ve just got to keep going up.”
“I’ve been very lucky Danny O’Brien and all these owners have stuck by me for the last year. To ride a first Group 1 winner for Danny is unbelievable.”
Trainer Danny O’Brien praised Winks’ ride. “I’m really pleased with James. He’s a big part of our team over the last couple of years. It’s his first Group 1 and thoroughly deserves it, he’s an outstanding rider,” he said.
“He’s a very good rider. He’s young and you’re going to see a lot more of him.”
Fritz’s Princess (Dale Spriggs) finished in second place, one and a quarter lengths behind Absolut Glam with Alverta (Glyn Schofield) finishing a further neck back in third.
Absolut Glam (F3 Snowland-Pine Away) began her Queensland campaign in late March running third in the $1Million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 3YO Trophy 1400m at the Gold Coast.
The filly then went onto to record a second in the Group 3 BTC Sprint 1350m and fourth in the Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap 1400m prior to her Winter Stakes win.
O’Brien admitted jumping from barrier five was a key factor to the result.
“It certainly helped. If she drew barrier five in the Stradbroke, she could have easily won it. She drew 20 in the Stradbroke and it was an enormous run,” he said.
“She doesn’t have much more to prove now she’s a Group 1 winner.”
It was O’Brien’s second Winter Stakes win; he last won the race with Porto Roca in 2001 when it was a Group 3.
“I think this race is going to stand up for a long time to come now that it’s a Group 1. There’ll be a lot of good form out of it,” O’Brien said.
“It’s a credit to Queensland Racing to have these races on. They’re outstanding races for fillies and mares. It’s the right time of the season for horses to really peak for them. We’re really pleased to be coming up here.”
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Jockey James Winks salutes the crowd after winning the Group 1 Winter Stakes (Noel Pascoe photo)
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The Winter Stakes win was the second for O’Brien at the Tattersall’s meeting after earlier picking up the Group 3 Carlton Draught Tattersall’s Cup 2200m on a protest.
O’Brien’s gelding Ballack had crossed the post in second place but jockey Stephen Baster immediately lodged a protest with Stewards against Fast Future (Mark Pegus) alleging interference at the 150 metres.
The protest was upheld and Ballack was rewarded with the Group 3 win with Fast Future relegated to second place with the official margin a short head.
Rampant Lion (Shane Scriven) ran home for third only a neck away while fourth place was a dead heat between Bianca (Scott Seamer) and Fort ‘n’ Won (Joshua Jones).
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – June 23
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