Reggie revels in wet for Byrne
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Jim Byrne checks where the competition are, but they don’t worry him as Reggie cruises to victory (Noel Pascoe photo)
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On Saturday, June 27, jockey Jim Byrne guided Reggie (NZ) to a dominant win in the Listed CNW Electrical & Data Supplies Caloundra Cup 2400m.
As the crowds flocked to Corbould Park to witness the massive 12 race program they weren’t disappointed as the $5 second equal race favourite got to the front of the feature race with the topweight of 57kg on his back.
Reggie (M8 Germano GB-Crackastar NZ) was travelling deep and back from the jump but at the 1200m they moved up around the outside and dashed up to the take the lead at the 1000m mark from the race favourite Our Lukas (Larry Cassidy), who had been holding the front position for the run.
At the turn they headed for home and never looked to be caught winning by three and a quarter lengths.
Phaze Action (Damian Browne) followed in second a long neck in front of Deraismes (Glen Boss).
Byrne’s win was popular with the connections and they all praised his decision to move forward and steal the lead. Byrne explained Moody had advised him to just “ride the ride as you feel it”.
“Mid-race they were going too slow,” said Byrne.
“The favourite was just basically given too soft of a lead. From the time it hit the ground nothing really bugged it, so coming around the 1200m I thought it’s a nice straight run, I’ve got 57kg, it’s pretty hard to get them to pick up on this sort of track and you know she’s a quality horse in the field.”
Trainer Peter Moody remained in Melbourne but Eagle Farm trainer Desleigh Forster was on track looking after the mare and knew she would handle the heavy going.
“She’s the best wet-tracker here all day. There’d be no better wet-tracker here than Reggie,” said Forster.
Reggie had blinkers on for the first time and the decision proved fruitful after two previous unsuccessful runs, following the Group 3 Premier’s Cup victory at Doomben.
“The other day when she raced at Eagle Farm, (jockey Craig) Williams said she wasn’t switched on, wasn’t sort of interested. So he (Moody) just thought he’d put the shades on, just as something different for an eight-year-old mare,” explained Forster.
“Pete said he’d never had them on her so what’d he have to lose.”
The win gives connections some decisions to make as they had planned to retire Reggie to stud.
OTI Racing had bought the mare at the Magic Millions June Broodmare Sales for $240,000 and now the list of owners includes several different stud managers.
The Caloundra Cup win was the third Black Type win for the mare and connections may push forward for a shot in the Listed Grafton Cup, otherwise they will have to choose which stud she will go to.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 29
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