Ichihara has continued the autumn success of prominent owner/breeder George Altomonte with an all-the-way win in the $250,000 Gosford Guineas.
Altomonte celebrated his biggest success in racing when Overreach won the Golden Slipper earlier this month.
Hugh Bowman took control of Sunday’s Listed Guineas (1200m) on the Allan Denham-trained filly who held the favourite Complicate at bay throughout.
At the top of the straight, Complicate looked ready to make his move but Ichihara kicked and found plenty under pressure to win by three-quarters of a length with Taxmeifyoucan another half length third.
It was the sixth win from 13 starts for Ichihara who Denham described as just below the top level.
“I’ve always said this filly is just behind the top ones but if you place her right there’s plenty of money there,” Denham told Sky Racing.
“And what a year George Altomonte has had.
“It shows if you keep on breeding good horses the winners come.
“I’ve trained a lot of good horses for him over the years and this is a nice race to win. The prize money is great too.”
Bowman said he was pleased to see the filly bounce back after an uncharacteristic run in the Darby Munro Stakes on March 30 in which she beat just two runners home.
“She was a bit flat at Rosehill the other day,” he said.
“But she was in tip top shape today. It was no surprise to see her win but it was good to see her win.
“She was well placed here and travelled beautifully through the race.”
Ichihara’s campaign has also included a second to Bennetta in the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes with the Grahame Begg-trained winner also owned by Altomonte.
Guineas third placed Taxmeifyoucan earned his connections a $50,000 bonus as part of the William Inglis race series.
He qualified as the first Inglis-bought horse home in the race.
