When John O’Shea left Godolphin five years ago, the first person he told was Ron Finemore, and the first horse he bought for the man he calls a mentor was The Ingham winner Kirwan’s Lane.
As the Charm Spirit six-year-old took the major slice of the $2 million prizemoney, the satisfaction was immense for the Randwick trainer. And with stablemate and Champion Thoroughbreds Randwick Guineas winner Lion’s Roar running second it was a big celebration.
Brenton Avdulla rides Kirwan’s Lane to victory in the $2 million The Ingham at Randwick on Saturday.Credit:Getty
“He [Finemore] has been a confidant of mine for years, when I was at [Godolphin] I would speak to him all the time and when I finished there he was the first one to say, ‘Now you can start buying me some horses again’,” O’Shea said.
“Ronnie still hasn’t got that group 1 but just to see his face after winning a big race like that was incredible. It’s really special because he has always been there for me and that will give him such a big thrill. This race was my first group 2 win [with Grey And Gold in 2000 when the race was known as the Villiers Stakes], so it has always been good to me.”
It was Kirwan’s Lane 11th victory and it was done in style on a tough Randwick mile, sitting on the speed before bursting to the front topping the rise. He was strong as the late challengers came down the centre with Lion’s Roar getting within a half head and Atishu only short head back in third.
“After we went a furlong, I was laughing,” jockey Brenton Avdulla said. “He has a bit more weight these days and is not as dynamic with his sprint, but he is strong. It took him a hundred metres to get through his gears, but I never thought they were going to get me.”
Trainer John O’Shea with Kirwan’s Lane connections celebrate after The Ingham.Credit:Getty
O’Shea will look to the Doncaster with his trio in the autumn, Kirwan’s Lane is exempted from the ballot for his win and Lion’s Roar and Diamil, who was unlucky in the straight, also heading there.
“[Kirwan’s Lane] is just a proper horse and at mile with no weight in Doncaster he would be a chance as you you saw today,” O’Shea said. “We were expecting something from Lion’s Roar and he showed he is back to the horse that won the Guineas. He has just been a run behind all preparation and that was the difference. He is looking for 2000m and there is a race for him before he has a break for the autumn.”
Sky Command looking razor sharp and ready to step up
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou will debate what is next for Sky Command after she controlled and won the Razor Sharp Stakes.
Alexiou would like to find another race for the in form mare, while Ryan believes she can further add to what is quickly becoming an impressive resume in a race like the Triscay Stakes.
“She is a proper mare and she is even better on soft tracks, and I think we could win a group race with her after a break,” Ryan said. “She has a turn of foot that she showed there today, but she is much better when she finds the fence.”
Regan Bayliss had the lead and the fence on Sky Command with no pressure and coming around the turn there were four horse to her outside. However Sky Command was comfortable and she quickened topping the rise and was too sharp for Waihaha Falls and Brigantine.
“We got a soft lead and when I asked she had a really good turn of foot and when they do that it is easy really,” Bayliss said.
Saltaire too strong in the Inglis Nursery
A little bit of race experience, a little bit of improvement and more than a dash of talent took Saltaire to victory in the Inglis Nursery.
The Star Turn filly, which was a $40,000 purchase at this year’s Classic Sale, followed the favourite Facile to the turn and then was too strong late to win by a half head with Blanc De Blanc three-quarters of a length away in third.
“You have a look at her. She is tough. A resilient filly, nothing phases her. She’ll have a little break now and come back in the Autumn. You never know where she will end up,” trainer John O’Shea said.
“She is just a filly that keeps taking the right steps. She does everything right. She had the barrier [of gate one] today and was able to use it and then got past a nice filly. She will have a little break now and come back for the Millennium in February.”
Facile might have been run down but picked up a $200,000 Inglis pink bonus for being first majority female-owned horse home.
“She might have just been a little over the top and the race experience of the other filly probably told in the end. She will get better,” Facile’s trainer Gerald Ryan said.
Blanc De Blanc trainer Michael Freedman was left to rue the wide draw for his I Am Invincible filly, which was four-wide for the trip and was still finding the line.
“Barriers win you races and if you swap draws with the winner I think you change the result,” Freedman said. “She is a very good filly and will look to some nice races next year with her.”
