Newcastle mare Slots earned the chance to extend her Queensland campaign after winning the Listed Just Now Quality at Doomben on Saturday.
Sydney apprentice Lester Grace got his first Brisbane win at his Brisbane ride when he brought Slots ($5) with a well-timed run to beat Real Surreal ($13) by a length.
Slots
Trainer Grant Marshall has been a sporadic visitor to Brisbane in recent years and has had his share of success but Slots’ win was an emotional one for him.
“She cost only $1700 but she has been really great for us. Slots has been placed in Group and Listed races but we were really after a black-type win for her.
Marshall said would stay in Queensland and run at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day in either the Goldmarket Handicap or a fillies and mares race.
Grace, who is apprenticed to Gerald Ryan, has a big opinion of Slots.
“The way we were drawn today gave her the chance to get cover and then run home hard as she can do,” he said.
Grace extended his apprenticeship recently and still has a 2kg claim.
“It was great of Grant to have the confidence to put me on in a stakes race,” he said.
Jockey Michael Cahill was thrilled with the return run of 2013 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Real Surreal who hadn’t started since July.
