The boom on debutant Stradon came crashing down at Eagle Farm on Wednesday when his inexperience told in the two-year-old event won by Psychodelic over Big Jet Plane in a deceptive photo-finish.
The Paul Dawson-trained Stradon was sent out the $2 favourite based on two recent barrier trial wins but jockey Ryan Wiggins’ pre-race concerns over his lack of race practice proved correct as he finished seventh after racing wide all the way.
A last-start winner at the track, Psychodelic ($2.80) tracked race leader One To Go in the early stages of the Mt Olivet Cup (1000m).
He looked to have the race in his keeping but Big Jet Plane ($10) put in some big strides over the final 150 metres to make it too close to call.
Even winning rider Ben Looker thought he had been beaten and was relieved to see the nose margin go up on the semaphore.
“I thought I’d got beat,” Looker said.
“But he carries his head low to the ground and stuck it out at the right time.”
Looker was filling in on Psychodelic for close friend Priscilla Schmidt who scored her first metropolitan win on the Ted Harden-trained gelding at the end of last month.
“It’s disappointing for her but exciting for me to be riding him,” Looker said.
All Significant ($13) finished 2-1/4 lengths away third with Stradon 7-1/4 lengths from the winner.
A well-judged frontrunning ride by Chris Munce was the key to Whispering Gap’s win in the Breakfast Creek Plate (1300m).
Munce has had a stellar season including victory in the Caulfield Cup on Descarado and will be crowned Brisbane’s premier rider at the end of the month.
Riding Whispering Gap ($4.20) for Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy, Munce took control of the race from the outset and the horse had plenty in hand to beat Mossanay ($8) by 1-1/2 lengths.
“There is no-one better than Chris Munce on a frontrunner,” Guy said.
Munce said the race had worked out perfectly.
“He travelled well and backed off well mid-race,” he said.
“And he was very quick over the last 600 (metres).
“I think he might make the next grade.”
AAP TURF
