A decision by Noel Doyle to bypass some lucrative summer goals for Biggles paid off when he won the Goldmarket Handicap at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
After Biggles finished a close second to Jet Style in the Recognition Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 1, Doyle made a pivotal decision to give the four-year-old a short break from racing.
“I thought if I went onto the Bernborough Handicap or even the Villiers in Sydney it would mean three hard runs in a row at a mile and he’d be burnt out,” Doyle said.
“If I went down that path there would be nothing left of him for the Magic Millions carnival so I decided to give him a breather.”
Biggles gave Doyle his third win in the Goldmarket after Beau Zephyr in 1988 and Atlantic Crossing who held off Brave Warrior in 1995.
The four-year-old will have his next start in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Coast on January 12 where he will stage a rematch with runner-up Steel Zip after 1-1/4 lengths separated them in the Goldmarket.
Tim Bell, who rode Biggles, said he made sure his mount was within striking distance of the leader Audacious Spirit on the home turn.
“I was worried if Audacious Spirit got a break on us at the home turn then we might have trouble picking him up which is why I hit the button a bit early,” he said.
Bell admitted he feared Steel Zip would overhaul Biggles but was impressed with the way his mount fought back.
“This horse will fight until he’s black and blue and he just kicked into top gear and sprinted away again at the finish.”
Trainer Pat Duff said a slight setback to Steel Zip took its toll on the gelding in the final stages.
“That run will top my horse off nicely for the Magic Millions Cup and hopefully we can turn the tables next time,” Duff said.
