Longford trainer Shaun Nichols had double reason to celebrate the narrow win by Sh’bourne Rebel in the pipe-opener of the new night racing at season at Mowbray on Tuesday.
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It was the trainer’s first win with a horse having only his second start and it was a complete family affair.
Sh’bourne Rebel was bred by Nichols’ mother Maureen Brosnan, of South Riana, who races the gelding with her daughter-in-law Elizabeth.
Mrs Brosnan has had a lot of success with horses carrying the Sh’bourne moniker including Sh’bourne Spirit who won 12 races.
Sh’bourne Rebel was given a gun run on the rail by Teagan Voorham and, after being briefly held up in the straight, the $20 chance peeled around the two leaders and went on to score by a head from White Gazelle with favourite With No Name a head away third.
Nichols has held a trainer’s licence for about 14 months and has worked for Longford trainer Bill Ryan for about five years.
He has only the one horse in work.
LEADING trainer Scott Brunton was making no secret of his high opinion of The Inevitable after the gelding’s easy win in the 3YO Maiden.
“He’s pretty smart and will probably be one of the state’s best three year olds,” Brunton said.
“He ran a huge race at his debut, when I left my money in, and he was terrific tonight after a beautiful ride (by Siggy Carr).
“He’s a bit underdone as well.”
Brunton said The Inevitable would now have a break before being set for the Tasmanian Guineas and, longer term, Tasmanian Derby.
The Dundeel gelding was bought at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale by Brunton’s father David then syndicated to a big group of owners.
“We weren’t going to buy one that year then Dad spent $100,000 on this bloke,” the trainer said.
“He can always find a nice horse so I’m very happy about it.”
JOCKEY Troy Baker carried on the good form that saw him land a treble in Hobart on Sunday with a copybook ride on The Greatness.
Baker settled the four-year-old on the rail from a wide draw then got an inside run in the straight to score a half head win over gee Gees Cricket and American Sunday in the Class 1 Handicap.
Trainer Royston Carr said that The Greatness had trialed nicely in preparation for his first race in nine months.
“We’ve always rated him a pretty handy horse and he had a solid campaign last time in so the owners decided to give him a good rest and a chance to grow,” Carr said.
“And he did grow. I reckon he’s a hand taller now.”
It was a good night for the Carr family as the trainer’s daughter Siggy had a double on the board after first five races with wins on The Inevitable and Flash Missile who scored by almost five lengths.
