Bachman’s Goldmarket Handicap victory is one his trainer will remember for more reasons than one.
The four-year-old’s win in the Listed event at the Gold Coast on Saturday was the last race broadcast by Alan Thomas, Queensland’s premier race caller.
Bachman
Thomas has retired after four decades calling both racing and rugby league.
“I really wanted to be there but I had horses at Randwick as well,” Ryan said.
“It was great to win the last race that Alan called. He was good to me when I trained in Queensland and it’s great that he got to call one of mine for his last race.”
Bachman’s win was his second from two starts since he was gelded after he failed the stringent veterinary standard for export to Hong Kong.
“They saw a shadow on his knee. It’s not something that worried us so we thought we might as well geld him and get on with his career,” Ryan said.
“He goes to the Magic Millions Cup now in two weeks. That’s been his aim this preparation so we’ll see what happens after that.
“Whether he can then have an autumn in Sydney, we’ll wait and see.”
Ryan’s other definite runner at the Magic Millions day on January 9 is Peace Force in the $1 million 1300m-race for fillies and mares.
But plans are up in the air for three-year-old King’s Troop, fourth over 1000 metres at Randwick on Saturday.
The trainer had hoped to get the colt to the Magic Millions Sprint but his prize money of less than $80,000 would not get him a start.
“He won’t get a run,” Ryan said. “We’ll just have to work out another plan.”
Among the options is the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford the day before the Magic Millions.
