Detours ended her racing career with a flourish by winning the Bright Shadow Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Snowden made the surprise announcement after Detours ($4.60) defeated Sharnee Rose ($10) by a half length with Dystopia ($8) a head away third.
Detours, Kerrin McEvoy - Photo by Daniel Costello
“There’s every chance she’ll go to stud now and she deserves to go out a winner,” Snowden said.
“She’s won a Group Three as well as a couple of Listed races and in my mind she’s done her job.”
Despite the vast number of horses that passes through his stables, Snowden admits he has a soft spot for Detours.
“She isn’t blessed with the most ability of all the horses I’ve trained but she’s certainly been one of the most honest,” he said.
“Week-in-week-out she runs to the best of her ability and she virtually trains herself. That’s what makes her special to me.”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was happy to stay close to the fence in the straight while most of his rivals scouted wider on the track.
“Everyone’s got their own opinion on where the best going is but it was my only option to make my run where I did,” McEvoy said.
“When I pressed the button in the straight she really answered the call and it all worked out well.”
Earlier, Planitarium clinched an Ipswich Cup start by winning the Mitty’s Handicap (1818m).
Jockey Brenton Avdulla took full advantage of drawing barrier one, positioning Planetarium ($7) on the fence in fourth place before easing to the outside in the straight and overhauling Za Magic (($26) to win by a head.
“I’ve had the Ipswich Cup in mind for him this prep and it was good to see him knuckle down and win because soft tracks aren’t really his go,” trainer Gerald Ryan said.
