It was the battle of the Irish in Saturday’s $400,000 Group II Brisbane Cup (3200m), with Irish Sequel (IRE) edging out the rallying Through Irish Eyes.
Ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, Irish Sequel (IRE) defeated Through Irish Eyes (Tavistock) by a head, with the veteran Sweet Thomas (GER) (Dylan Thomas) a length back in third.
Irish Sequel does just enough (image Grant Courtney)
It was the second consecutive stakes win for the imported son of Invincible Spirit after the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
Stable representative Damien Fitton said the ride won the race.
“It was a great win last start at Rosehill over 2400, and the query was stepping up to two miles today, but we switched him off at the back of the field and came with one last run,” Fitton said.
“It was a greatly-timed run by James today, and now we know he can run two miles.
“He got a lot of confidence coming up here after his first prep in Melbourne, and he’s continued on with his winning ways. I’m sure the owners are very happy and that was a great win today.
“We’ll just see how he comes through the run and let Chris make a plan, but now we know he can run the trip, he might be a Sydney Cup horse.”
James McDonald said the 6yo son of Invincible Spirit appreciated being on top of the ground.
“It was a bit of a slogfest the last little bit, but my horse has been racing in some good company down in Sydney, the horse appreciated being back on top of the ground, and he won well,” he said.
Some familiar faces in the winner's circle (image Grant Courtney)
“We were just minding our own business back in the ruck and chimed in when we needed to. He was strong, I was really proud of his efforts because it was a bit of a fight there.”
A €50,000 by Waller from the Aga Khan Stud consignment at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Irish Sequel advances his record to seven wins, four seconds, and one third from 20 starts with earnings of $557,252.
He is the best of five winners from six to race out of the Group III Leopardstown One Thousand Guineas Trial winner Baliyana (Dalakhani) a three-quarter sister to Balankiya (dam of Group 1 winner Bayrir), and a half-sister to Group II Royal Ascot King Edward VII Stakes winner Balakeri (Theatrical).
