Jockey Michael Cahill showed he was maintaining his winter carnival form when he brought off an upset win on Magic Trick at Ipswich.
Despite having won his previous start at Doomben in metropolitan class, Magic Trick started ($15) before beating the short-priced favourite Battle Strike ($1.70) in a driving finish.
Cahill, who was the star of the winter carnival with two Group One wins, has been back riding in similar form since returning from a family holiday.
He was able to get cover on Magic Trick and then dash through a gap in the straight to go on for a strong win.
Trainer Tony Sears previously thought Magic Trick might make a 1600m horse but since reverting to shorter distances the gelding has won two races from as many starts.
“We thought he was a chance but there were a couple of good horses in this race,” Sears said.
“It might be the way to ride him back in the field. And of course Michael (Cahill) is in great form.”
Rugby league legend Tom Raudonikis was in the winners circle when beautifully bred Fisticuffs ($1.18) strolled home to win a three-year-old Maiden.
Former Australian and NSW star Raudonikis, who has been battling serious illness in recent months, is close friends with John Singleton who bred Fisticuffs at his Strawberry Hills Stud.
Fisticuffs, whose grand dam was 1995 Golden Slipper winner Merlene, was originally trained by Brad Widdup at Hawkesbury, but was transferred to the Toby and Trent Edmonds partnership two months ago.
“Fisticuffs has breeding on his side being by (top sire) Redoute’s Choice and he is set to live up to it on the racetrack,” Trent Edmonds said.
“Tommy made the trip up today and it is great to give him a boost with a winner.”
Trainer Steve O’Dea’s plan to give grey gelding So Spirited ($2.35) a confidence boost paid with a win in a Class 5.
“I thought So Spirited was a hope in an Eagle Farm Open on Saturday but we scratched him for this because it suited better,” O’Dea said.
“He’d had no luck since coming from Sydney.”
Melbourne apprentice Stephanie Thornton, who is on loan to O’Dea, landed her second winner on So Spirited since arriving last week.
