Consistent gelding Religify has signed off on a successful winter carnival campaign with an emphatic win in the Listed GH Mumm Open Quality (1615m) at Doomben.
Religify, the $2.80 favourite, was ridden confidently by champion jockey Hugh Bowman on Saturday, taking the lead at the 900m mark.
The gelding, carrying topweight of 60.5kg, was never seriously threatened in the straight, scoring by three-quarters of a length from Payroll ($7.50), with Man Of His Word ($5.50) a short neck away in third.
Charlie Duckworth, representing trainer Chris Waller, said Religify was likely to be spelled after a successful Brisbane campaign.
“I imagine that will do him for the winter but he’s certainly earned his keep,” Duckworth said.
“In between all of his Queensland runs he’s come back down to the Sydney stable so he’s done plenty of travelling but he’s just so tough and honest you know he’ll go out there every day and do his best.”
After winning the Prime Minister’s Cup at the Gold Coast in May, Religify was a victim of the maligned Eagle Farm track when he was beaten into sixth place the Lord Mayor’s Cup.
The six-year-old then bounced back to win the Wayne Wilson Quality at Doomben on June 10 at his last run before Saturday’s triumph.
Duckworth said Religify had a special place in the hearts of Waller’s stable.
“It’s just an absolute pleasure to have him because he’s such a really consistent, solid horse,” he said.
