Trainer Darryl Hansen resisted the temptation to find another race meeting before staying at Caloundra to see his two-year-old Bring It Home Pop win the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Handicap on Saturday.
Bring It Home Pop ($4) landed some big bets when he beat Dynastic ($3.30) by 1-3/4 lengths with a nose to Saxton Rock ($18).
The 1200m race was named after the late champion Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan who died in 2009 after spending a decade at the Sunshine Coast.
Hansen has missed couple of winners lately when saddling up runners at other tracks including Monsieur Gustave’s win in the recent Listed Eye Liner Stakes.
“I joked I might fund a meeting somewhere else not to be a jinx but I am very pleased to win this race and be here to see it,” Hansen said.
“I didn’t have much to do with Bruce McLachlan when I was based in north Queensland.
“But since I came down here to train at the Sunshine Coast I have been great mates with his son Jason.
“When Jason gave up training he gave me some smart horses including Monsieur Gustave and Balboa Rocks.”
Bring It Home Pop had been unplaced in two runs since finishing mid field in the Magic Millions Classic in January.
“I wasn’t worried because he is a gross type and I thought he would even be improved by the run today,” Hansen said.
Winning jockey Jim Byrne said he had a nice run on the pace and raced clear in the straight.
Daniel Griffin said Dynastic had the run of the race and fought on well.
