By Isaac Murphy
While The Autumn Sun was winning the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill his Queensland stables were travelling just as well with a fresh Jaminzah upstaging Veladaro to quinella the Open Handicap over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm.
Chris Waller Assistant Trainer Paul Shailer said the pair of five-year-old geldings were both looking top notch at home on the Gold Coast and an early week trial had him confident of a result.
“Both horses were coming of trials at the Gold Coast on Tuesday, which just topped them off nicely to produce that result today.” Shailer said.
“Veladaro was good again second up and should be winning soon.”
"Jaminzah has run out of his skin fresh he’s never won first up, but he’s had two official trials and an unofficial barrier trial to get him ready for today, so he was ready and fit for it.”
The stable originally thought the pair would figure in some Black Type races beyond the mile, but Shailer said he thought the duo had found their right distance.
“We originally thought both of them would get out beyond the mile, but the feedback we’ve got from our riders is that they are best suited at the 1400 metres,” Shailer said.
The race quickly turned into a tactical battle between two South African veterans with Jeff Lloyd stalking Robbie Fradd, coming out on top with Jaminzah.
“When Robbie (Fradd) brought Veladaro out he looked like the winner, but I think there was a lack of speed in the race and Robbie had to go a little bit early and Jeff (Lloyd) was able to get a perfect trail into it and peel off his back,” Shailer said.
“A couple of conniving South African’s,” He laughed.
Lloyd confirmed he knew Veladaro was the horse to follow and was looking forward to bragging rights in the jockeys rooms.
“I was following Robbie waiting for him to make a move before I did, I could see he was pretty confident half way up the straight, but I was too,” Lloyd said.
“I knew there wasn’t much between them after Tuesday’s trial and luckily for me I was on the right horse.”
“It’ll make for some good South African banter in the jockey’s rooms.”
Tatcee took out the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap to give the stable a training double on the day and Lloyd a riding treble.
The filly was a couple of lengths off an impressive Reckless Choice last time out and Shailer said the drop-in grade had done the job for the consistent filly.
“She really deserved that win, she’s been close without getting there this prep and she did it tough today three wide.”