A special moment as Jodi Quinlan and Illawong Byron combine to win the Seelite Windows and Doors Redwood Classic at Maryborough.
Jodi Quinlan and two of her biggest fans, Dr Martin Hartnett and his wife Kaye, picked up the win they wanted most today at Maryborough.
In front of a huge crowd trainer-driver Quinlan guided two-year-old gelding Illawong Byron to a memorable victory in the Seelite Windows and Doors Redwood Classic.
“This is very special to be standing here on this stage,” she said. “I’ve always said with this horse that this is the race I wanted to win.”
Illawong Byron’s owner, Dr Hartnett, whose wife Kaye bred the horse, concurred.
“This is the one we always wanted. We’re very pleased with Illawong Byron,” he said.
Illawong Byron (Muscle Mass-Illawong Blush) began like a pro from the 2190-metre stand start to lead from outside the front row.
Once in front Quinlan rated the Tatlow Stakes winner and Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series runner-up a treat, Illawong Byron notching a 63.3 first half before taking the sting out of her rivals down the back (28.8secs).
It was a winning move.
“His manners today were the best they have ever been. We ran that quarter down the back and got them off the bit,” Quinlan said.
Illawong Byron then held off a late challenge by Mark Purdon’s odds-on favourite Custodian, digging deep to score by a half-neck with Quinlan drawing a rapturous applause from the crowd.
The final quarter was trotted in 29.3secs for a mile rate of 2:04.4.
Our Regal Love for Nicole Molander and Chris Alford ran third, beaten 15m, while Lance Justice guided Carnera to fourth at huge odds ahead of Truscott Hall.
Quinlan mooted a long-range plan for one of Australasia’s rising star squaregaiters.
“He’s very immature and with a bit of extra size about him in 12 months I hope we’re back here at Maryborough for the Derby,” she said.
Quinlan also thanked Illawong Byron’s owners for their ongoing support.
“Martin and Kaye have always been fantastic support for me. They’re 100 per cent behind me no matter what.”
Media enquiries:
Cody Winnell (HRV Media/Communications Manager)
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