Sequallan’s back in business
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Jim Byrne returns a winner with Sequallan (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Although unsuccessful, a trip to Sydney was perhaps the driving force behind Sequallan’s latest win at Eagle Farm.
In two starts in Sydney Sequallan (G6 Sequalo-Isobelle Ellen) was only able to beat one horse home after landing wide alleys and running four and five deep in one race and then leading in the other.
But the trip may have worked in trainer Ron Maund’s favour as his 1000m course specialist put in a top effort to win the Laminex Handicap on October 18.
Ridden by Jim Byrne, Sequallan found a handy position tucked in behind the leaders before finding the clear on turning for home. Byrne began winding in his competition and the pair passed the post a long neck ahead of Daunting Lad (Michael Palmer).
Black Ink ran home for third (Owen Turpin) with race-favourite Heart of the Citi (Mandy Radecker) in fourth place, just over a length behind the winner.
“He’s won the (Listed) Lightning Handicap here in the winter and that’s the best 1000m race they (Eagle Farm) run so we knew if he struck form again he would be capable,” Maund said.
“The 1000m strip seems to be his forte.”
Maund took both Sequallan and Vocalic to Sydney in late August for a stint but returned after Sequallan produced poor finishes in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes and Listed Starlight Stakes.
“They were a couple of horses who we sent to Sydney to dip their toes in the water to see if they were good enough to take onto Melbourne but we basically aborted the trip,” Maund said.
“Vocalic didn’t race at all and only had a trial or two and things didn’t work out. Sequallan had two runs and had bad results.
“We brought both of them home and luckily they have both one a week apart and made the mission worth while.”
The Eagle Farm win broke a drought of over a year between wins for Sequallan who has won over $215,000 in prizemoney.
Maund plans to find a 1000m race in Toowoomba for Sequallan before sending the horse on a ‘working holiday’.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – October 20
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