Local trainer Sandra O’Sullivan scored the biggest success of her long career when underrated sprinter Carry To Fortune recorded a scorching win in the $100,000 Bat Out Of Hell Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
O’Sullivan has plied her trade at the Coast for more than 20 years and Carry To Fortune is one of three horses she has in work.
Leading local jockey Glen Colless produced a typically dashing ride to guide Carry To Fortune to a 1-3/4-length win.
Carry To Fortune ($21) bounded out of the barriers and displayed plenty of zip in the straight to score easily over the fast-finishing Seek And Find ($5.50) with Reilly Blue ($5 eq fav) a half-length back third.
An emotional O’Sullivan described the win as the most memorable moment in her career.
“That’s easily the biggest win I’ve ever had,” she said.
“She’s such a brilliant mare when she’s fresh and that was no surprise at all.
“She never looked like getting beaten and I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Earlier, bullish sprinter Rocker is bound for the spelling paddock and will return to racing with a gear change following his heart-stopping win.
Rocker started the well-supported $1.90 favourite in the Coastal Tipper Hire Handicap (1200m) and punters who threw their support behind him were counting their cash when he ambled to the front at the 200m.
But as soon as he found the front Rocker started to loaf and a late surge from The Ringmaster ($6) cut the four-year-old entire’s winning margin to a short head.
Rosehill visitor Nothing Like Luca ($7) also flashed home late to finish three-quarters of a length back third with Gunner Knox ($21) a close-up fourth.
Winning rider Colless said he thought the horse was going to win easily when he strode up and advised trainer Kelly Schweida to add blinkers when the horse starts next.
“I thought he was going to win by four lengths,” Colless said.
“He’s got plenty of ability but he’s a bit of a boy. There’s no doubt he’s up to much better races.”
Schweida said Rocker would be spelled immediately and return for the winter carnival.
“He needs to lift a bit but he’s going in the right direction,” Schweida said.
“I’ll think about the blinkers. He’s a four-year-old stallion and he’s an absolute guts. I’ve got him on a diet all the time.”
AAP TURF
