Igraine became the 11th New Zealand-trained Caloundra Cup winner since 1985 on Saturday with Robert Priscott’s mare thriving on a mud Sunshine Coast track in the winter feature.
Robbie Fradd (pictured at Doomben) rode Kiwi-trained mare Igraine to victory in the 2019 Caloundra Cup. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Originally over to target the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm, things didn’t quite go to plan for the German-bred daughter of Galileo.
Te Awamutu-based horseman Priscott raced her three times in Brisbane for a Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) second, Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) third and then the luckless Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) 12th on June 8.
She more than atoned with a barnstorming performance in the Listed $175,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m) however, the six-year-old taking out a nice consolation prize with the Heavy (10) track suiting her to a tee.
Continuing her excellent strike-rate on wet tracks, Igraine was ridden to victory by South African Robbie Fradd.
“I was on the right filly,” Fradd said post-victory.
“A German-bred filly, they flourish on this ground.
“She gets through it no problem. She was doing her best work late funnily enough.
“She just travelled good the whole way. I hit a few of those patches, she never faulted, she just got through them so well.”
Fradd had her switched off and travelling well in a midfield position throughout as the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained So You Think mare Sopressa led the field around.
Sopressa held front-running onto the home straight before Igraine chimed in down the outside, racing up and grabbing the lead.
She finished two lengths ahead of a gallant Sopressa, while local Paul Jenkins-trained Tavistock mare Travistee rounded out the Caloundra Cup trifecta in third.
“She won very well today. She enjoys that ground,” Priscott said after the race.
“He [Fradd] gave her a lovely ride and she won well.”
Priscott confirmed likely plans to press on with the Caloundra Cup winner Igraine to head south for a shot at the Listed $160,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 11 before she heads to the breeding barn in New South Wales.
To back Igraine next race in the 2019 Grafton Cup at the best winter racing odds visit Ladbrokes.com.au.
2019 Caloundra Cup Results: Finishing Order
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | IGRAINE (GER) | Robert Priscott | Robbie Fradd | – | 4 | 54kg | $4.20 |
| 2 | 6 | SOPRESSA | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Matthew McGillivray | 2.25L | 1 | 54kg | $11 |
| 3 | 10 | TRAVISTEE (NZ) | Paul Jenkins | Ron Stewart | 3.5L | 12 | 54kg | $6.50 |
| 4 | 2 | EXOTERIC (GB) | Chris Waller | Ryan Maloney | 4.25L | 7 | 57kg | $26 |
| 5 | 4 | SAUNTER BOY (FR) | Kris Lees | Jeff Lloyd | 4.55L | 8 | 55kg | $6 |
| 6 | 1 | BIG DUKE (IRE) | Kris Lees | Larry Cassidy | 4.85L | 2 | 60.5kg | $3F |
| 7 | 3 | CASTERTON (IRE) | Chris Waller | Brad Stewart | 5.15L | 9 | 55.5kg | $20 |
| 8 | 11 | TERRA SANCTA (NZ) | Tony Pike | Jim Byrne | 5.65L | 10 | 54kg | $16 |
| 9 | 7 | MASTER ZEPHYR (GB) | Tony Haydon | Glen Boss | 6.4L | 5 | 54kg | $26 |
| 10 | 14 | GALAXY GURU | Paul H Duncan | Mark Du Plessis | 6.7L | 11 | 54kg | $51 |
| 11 | 12 | MYMMING | Stuart Kendrick | Micheal Hellyer | 8.7L | 6 | 54kg | $101 |
| 12 | 13 | TUCANO (IRE) | Tony Haydon | Luke Tarrant | 27.45L | 3 | 54kg | $101 |
| – | 15 | HEART OF TOORAK | David Scanes | Ron Stewart | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 8 | MAZAZ (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tegan Harrison | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 9 | RUBY GURU (NZ) | Michael Nolan | Dale Smith | – | 0 | – | – |
