Tony Pattillo’s only regret in winning the Ipswich Cup aboard Anagold was not being able to share the moment with trainer Bryan Guy.
Pattillo stuck to the fence aboard Anagold ($41) to win the Cup by a long head from High Kin ($9.50) with Za Magic ($9) a neck away third.
Anagold, Tony Pattilo - Photo by Daniel Costello
Guy wasn’t at Ipswich on Saturday, preferring to remain at the Gold Coast where he had several runners.
“Bryan’s a great mate of mine and to win the Cup for him means a helluva lot to me,” he said.
“I was a bit worried that if I’d been beaten he would’ve been on the phone to give me a blast but it’s all worked out for the best.”
Pattillo’s love of racehorses and competition spurred him to victory aboard Anagold after having to endure constant battles with weight and injuries for most of his career.
“The past few years have been a tough slog but I’ve never lost the passion for riding and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing,” he said.
“If I can ride for the rest of my life I’d be happy with that.”
Pattillo has fought his way back after rib and shoulder injuries from race falls that have dogged his career in the past three years.
Anagold is Pattillo’s second win in the Cup after Forest Jim in 2005.
“That’s a day I’ll never forget,” Pattillo said.
“I won the Cup on Forest Jim for my old boss Barry Miller as well as the Eye Liner and the Gai Waterhouse Classic.”
Pattillo admitted it was a gamble to persevere for a rails run aboard the mare.
“She tracked into the race really nicely and I thought even though most of the boys have been avoiding the fence it was my best option,” he said.
“Luckily the heavens opened and she burst her way through. If they close I look like a mug.”
High Kin’s trainer David Greene said the mare will remain in Queensland with the Caloundra Cup (2400m) on June 29 her next target.
