Reggie makes the trip worthwhile for Purton and Moody
|
Reggie gets around the pack to take the win
|
For what would have been a stressful beginning to the day for jockey Zac Purton, it ended on a high for the 26-year-old hoop.
Flying from Hong Kong, Purton was due to arrive in Brisbane at 10:00am on Saturday, May 23 for the Doomben 10,000. However, his flight was diverted to Townsville because of strong winds and this delayed his arrival.
He made it to the Doomben track, with 12 minutes to spare, to ride the Liam Birchley-trained Court Command in an unsuccessful run in the Group 1 event.
Following this he guided the Peter Moody-trained Reggie (NZ) to victory in the Group 3 Coca-Cola Amatil Premier’s Cup Handicap 2200m.
Reggie made a run from behind to come down the outside and win by three quarters of a length.
Scattergun (Michael Rodd) was second a length and a half in front of Macknuckle (Scott Seamer).
The $4.80 race favourite and topweight Rabbuka (Damien Oliver) missed out on the top three by a short neck.
Purton knew he was in with a chance to claim a win on the day even after Court Command placed 15th in the Doomben 10,000.
“He didn’t handle the track,” he said. “I had one horse that didn’t like the wet track and one horse that loved it. So whichever way the track was playing I had both races covered.
“She (Reggie) just loves it. It was just a matter of getting a nice enough run in the race and just letting her do the rest.
“I was lucky I wasn’t too far back. I had nice cover the whole way. I stayed out of the worst part of the track. A couple of the boys inside me might be a bit dirtier than I am,” said Purton as he returned to scale mud splattered.
|
Zac Purton claims a win at Doomben (Noel Pascoe photos)
|
Moody had a win just minutes earlier when his charge Bay Trixie won its maiden at Mildura.
“Mildura to Doomben,” exclaimed Moody. “I wouldn’t like to be walking in between. I’d need a good waterbag.”
But the ex-Queenslander was pleased with Reggie’s (M8 Germano GB-Crackastar NZ) run on the heavy track, which could be her final run for him.
“She found conditions to suit this old mare,” said Moody. “That’s her go.
“She goes to the Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. If someone wants to buy her they can have a runner in the Brisbane Cup three days later.
“She was balanced and happy. She was three deep with cover and rolled into it nicely.
“No horse enjoys these conditions but she gets through it better than most.
“Her form’s been good. She had no luck here the other day on a rock hard track. Back on the soft she was just too good today.”
Moody believes his other runner in the race Riva San (Luke Nolen) who placed 11th is also due for retirement.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – May 25
|
