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Godolphin lands out of carnival winner at Doomben

10 February 2018

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By Glenn Davis

The powerful Godolphin stable landed its first out of carnival Brisbane winner when Old North was successful at Doomben on Saturday.

Old North, ridden by Damien Browne, showed he was back to his best with a brilliant comeback win in the Makers Mark Open Handicap (1350m).

The five-year-old looked a class above his rivals stretching out for a dominant 1-1/2 length win over early leader I’m A Rippa with third placegetter She’s Miss Devine, a further one length away.

Godolphin is headed by James Cummings who rarely sends horses to Queensland outside the Brisbane winter carnival.

However, Racing Queensland’s recent boost to prizemoney may have had an impact on southern trainers who could soon follow Cummings and trailblazer Chris Waller.

Waller has had a big impact on Brisbane racing since opening a Gold Coast stable in August.

Queensland has had many satellite stables in the past including Gai Waterhouse, Lee Freedman and John Hawkes in the 1990’s before they were closed in the early 2000’s due to financial reasons.

Old North’s career was disrupted by breathing problems which restricted him to just 15 starts for three wins and two placings prior to undergoing throat surgery during his latest layoff.

Old North started his career under John O’Shea and hadn’t won since the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill in March, 2016.

He also ran second in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick and fourth in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast the same year.

Old North stayed under the Godolphin banner with caretaker trainer Darren Beadman before Cummings’ was appointed last year.

The son of Lonhro was having his first start since failing at Warwick Farm last July but indicated he was primed for a winning comeback with two barrier trials at Warwick Farm and Randwick last month.

Meanwhile promising mare Jadentom showed she had a bright future with a commanding victory in the Sprite Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m).

Jadentom is named after trainer Lindsay Hatch’s daughter and son, Jade and Tom, and is owned by his wife Tracy.

“It’s been nice. We’ve always had a wrap on her and she’s named after our two children,” Hatch said.

“We had a lot of trouble with her health early on but we think she’s got a great future.”

Jadentom travelled perfectly for jockey Brad Stewart before going on to down Dream Master by 2-1/4 lengths for his fourth win from seven starts.

Racing Queensland webnews   February 10