Rags to Riches thrives
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Glen Colless stretches away for a win in the Centenary Classic Mile with Rags to Riches (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Rags to Riches continued on his winning way claiming his second victory for the Winter Carnival, this time in the Listed Centenary Classic Mile at Tattersall’s feature raceday on June 21.
It was the gelding’s second Listed win for the Carnival after he picked up the Philip Sullivan Handicap a few weeks earlier.
Ridden by Glen Colless, the gelding was forced to race wide during the early stages of the 1600m race and had to work hard to get across from barrier nine before finding the front and leading for most of the race.
In the straight, $3.50 race-favourite Mr Slick (Corey Brown) gave Rags to Riches (G7 Entrepreneur-Candescent) a challenge but Colless pushed the gelding away further crossing the line two lengths ahead of the field. Mr Slick finished one and a quarter of a length ahead of Sir Xaar (Ryan Wiggins).
“I didn’t expect that there would be that much pressure on but Glen summoned it up well,” trainer Liam Birchley said.
“Half way through the race he was either going to be a genius or a dill and it just worked out really well.”
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Bitabiff and Scott Seamer pick up a win for trainer Liam Birchley early in the day (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Birchley rated Rags to Riches’ win last start as a reason behind his performance at the Tattersall’s meeting.
“He’s a real confidence horse. When he won that race the other day he really got a lot out of it,” Birchley said.
“He’s work since then has been terrific and I gave him a really good chance today on the back of that.”
It was the second win for the day for the trainer who previously picked up the Total Sports Travel Handicap 1200m with Bitabiff (Scott Seamer).
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – June 23
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