The patience of owner-breeder Judy Wanless was rewarded when first starter I’m Hector confirmed his rating as a stayer of promise at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The four-year-old raced like a far more experienced galloper when he charged home to score a 2-1/4 length win over Bentles in the Col Bayliss Memorial Handicap (1350m).
Judy Wanless and her husband Ron have been leading owners in Queensland for decades and have had many good stayers including the 2001 Victoria Derby winner Amalfi.
Trainer Desleigh Forster acknowledged the owner’s patience after Wednesday’s win.
“I’m Hector is a big horse and he has had a few niggling problems,” Forster said.
“Judy was happy to give him plenty of time and she has been rewarded with a good horse.
“He is bred to run 3200-metres and I have no doubt once he fully matures he will be a very good stayer.”
She said I’m Hector would now be aimed at races over more ground.
“The 1350-metres for his first start was no worry. I wouldn’t have been afraid to go with him first-up over 1600-metres and I am confident you will see the best of him over 2000-metres and further,” she said.
Forster also made mention of suspended jockey Dan Griffin who rode I’m Hector in a recent jump out.
“Dan has done a lot of work with him but when he wasn’t available we went with the best in Michael Cahill,” she said.
Cahill agreed I’m Hector was promising and would make a nice stayer later in his career.
Meanwhile, jockey Jeff Lloyd continued his good run for trainer Matt Dunn when Alpintoro won the Terry Neale Memorial Handicap (1350m).
Lloyd, who is back riding in Brisbane fulltime, has had 10 rides for Dunn in recent months for three winners.
