Months of planning paid big dividends at Ipswich when Sydney sprinter Adnocon scored back-to-back wins in the $175,000 Eye Liner Stakes.
Having his first start in four months, Adnocon defined a betting drift to score a neck win in Saturday’s 1350m Listed event and set up another tilt at the Glasshouse Handicap in two weeks time.
Confidently ridden by Damian Browne, Adnocon ($10) overcame a wide trip to beat the well-supported Gundy Son ($4.40 fav) by a neck with Drenalin ($8.50) a half-neck back third.
Winning trainer Gerald Ryan wasn’t at Ipswich but his travelling foreman Brad Banfield said the plan for consecutive Eye Liners was hatched three months ago.
“Gerald and I sat down to work out what we would bring up for the carnival and it was then that he told me he wanted to set this horse for the Eye Liner,” Banfield said.
“We gave him plenty of work before he left home, he had two trials and he’s done a treat since he arrived two weeks ago.
“He was three-deep all the way but there was immense pressure up front and he thrived on that.”
Browne only returned to riding from a three-week suspension on Saturday and said Adnocon was always travelling sweetly.
“They rolled along good in front and when Drenalin pulled three wide at the 600 metres he gave me a lovely trail into the race,” Browne said.
“He found the line really well and I was always confident he would get there.”
Last year Adnocon ran second to Woorim in the $175,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast and Banfield confirmed that the horse would now chase redemption on July 2.
Earlier, striking colt Epic tuned up for the Sunshine Coast Guineas with a decisive win in the TL Cooney Handicap (1350m).
Epic finished powerfully in the straight to beat Fire Up Fifi by a head with The Ringmaster a length back third.
Winning trainer Kelly Schweida confirmed Epic would have his next start in the $125,000 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) on July 2.
AAP TURF
