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.

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 “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).

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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
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