Irish Sequel Toughs It Out in Brisbane Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday June 11

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.

Advertisement

 “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).

Advertisment

Race Result - XXXX Brisbane Cup Gr2 3200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 3:22.24
1
Irish Sequel
- 6g Invincible Spirit (IRE) x Baliyana (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
2
0.2
Through Irish Eyes
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Zapurple (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 53
3
1.2
Sweet Thomas
- 10g Dylan Thomas (IRE) x Sworn Pro (GER) (Protektor (GER))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
4
3.2
Lunasnit
- 5m Star Witness (AUS) x Lunar Snitzel (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: B J Lockwood Rdr: S T Collett 53
5
5.7
Marakopa
- 5g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Viennetta (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Robert Quinn Rdr: W Pike 53
6
7.9
Pappalino
- 6g Makfi (GB) x Bartira (GB) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J R Collett 54
7
8.3
Splendiferous
- 4m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
8
12.6
Traduce
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Villifye (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms M Brosnan Rdr: Jaden Lloyd 53
9
13.8
The Fearless One
- 4g The Bold One (NZ) x Lou Sea (NZ) (Postponed (USA))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53
10
14.6
King Of Leogrance
- 7g Camelot (GB) x Amourette (FR) (Halling (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: John Allen 59
11
44.1
Balmaurice
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Bal Du Siecle (GB) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn Rdr: Ben Thompson 53
More Reading...
Famous Foal with Coolmore Stud Stakes Connections
The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes this weekend is a race that has developed a deserved reputation as a sire making race and a foal image that arrived to the Breednet Foal Gallery on Monday is a colt with an undeniable connection to this pivotal race for the breeding industry.
Same Race - New Name- $1 million THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES
First run in 1968 and previously featured on Caulfield Cup Day, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes enters an exciting new era in 2025.
Debut Winner for Fierce Impact
Lovatsville based young gun Fierce Impact (Jpn) produced a tenacious debut winner at Swan Hill on Tuesday in the Seymour Bloodstock colours.
First Stakes Win for The Autumn Sun Half-Brother
The Listed Chantilly Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) in France overnight provided a first stakes win for blueblood Dubawi colt Azimpour, the half-brother to Champion Australian 3YO Colt and now G1 sire The Autumn Sun.
Day 1 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale 375,000 Guineas for August George
Smart two-year-old AUGUST GEORGE topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Park Paddocks when selling for 375,000 guineas to Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali, one of five lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more.
Maher and Waller Strike at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale
Champion Australian trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher have been active during the first session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, which was topped last year by Sir Delius (GB) at 1.3million guineas.
$10 million 2025 Golden Eagle Field and Barrier Draw
The favourites have all fared well after the field and barrier draw was declared for the $10million Golden Eagle at Randwick this Saturday.
Tara Talks Racing Podcast Online
We’re talking Cox Plate and whether Bucky can win the Cup, plus Godolphin colts, how can you not, they have had a fabulous spring and it’s not over yet!
Kiwi Breeding Partnership Strikes with She's a Hustler
John Thompson and Greg Tomlinson have combined for another major stakes success in Australia.
Farnan Filly Wins by Four!
The Mulberry Racing colours were in the frame at Hawkesbury on Tuesday when the Brad Widdup trained Farnan filly Blue Eyed Brigid bolted in as a short priced favourite.