A heady ride by Hugh Bowman was the catalyst for Ichihara to return a winner carrying topweight in the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes at Warwick Farm.
Bowman allowed the filly to settle behind the speed in Saturday’s 1200m race to conserve her energy under the 58kg.
Ichihara - Photo by Steve Hart
He let Ichihara ($9) loose in the straight and she chased hard to nab favourite Heart Testa ($2.70) near the line and win by a short neck.
Limes ($13) made ground to finish third another 2-1/4 lengths away with early leader Golden Sunshine ($7) holding fourth.
“She is a Group Two winner and is hard to place,” trainer Allan Denham said.
“She is a little bit off a Group One horse so we have to place her carefully.
“We didn’t want a cut-throat race under the big weight. She doesn’t have to lead and Hugh rode her perfectly and she found the line well.”
Ichihara is raced by prominent owner-breeder George Altomonte who is enjoying Sydney carnival racing and spreading the spoils around.
Altomonte has the Golden Slipper favourite Overreach with Gai Waterhouse and Coolmore Classic contender Bennetta who is trained by Grahame Begg.
Bennetta beat Ichihara when the two fillies met in last month’s Light Fingers Stakes.
“It’s pretty great,” Altomonte said.
“I’ve got some good horses at the moment and it’s a very exciting time.”
Ichihara has won five of her 11 starts including her first three and Denham will try to find a suitable race where she will be closer to her rivals in the weights.
