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Locals shine brightest at Toowoomba

4 May 2018

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By Isaac Murphy

Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie extended his lead in the trainer’s premiership as four of his charges saluted on Wednesday at Clifford Park.

The eight-race card gave a number of progressive horses a launching pad towards the winter carnival.

Large stables dominated the meet with the Currie, Gollan and Waller teams taking out seven of the eight contests.

Gutsy mare Sweet Adeline was rewarded for her consistency with a gritty win for Brian and Daniel Guy in race two.

Speedy two-year-old gelding Mishani Ruler gave Currie his first winner in the QTIS two-year-old maiden, as Taylor Marshall piloted the gelding to a post-to-post win, at just his fourth race start.

Marshall said he was impressed with the horse’s early speed to hold out wider horses, before kicking clear in the straight.

“He was so professional today he improved a lot from last start, he’s definitely a progressive type,” Marshall said.

Currie claimed a running treble in races six, seven and eight on the card with Kay Kay Boom, Preferito and Sword of Justice all greeting the judge first.

Currie singled out former European galloper Kay Kay Boom as a definite carnival runner, with aspirations to go far beyond his benchmark 65 1300m win.

“I was a bit nervous when he stoked up early, it’s not really his caper to lead, his European form is up around the 2000m”, Currie said.

“We’ve got a few options heading into the carnival, possibly finishing with a run at the Ipswich Cup.”

Winning jockey Nozomu Tomizawa agreed with Currie’s summation of the five year old.

“He didn’t want to settle but he jumped well so I just kept going,” He said.

“That’s not the only way to ride him, but when I asked for an effort he kicked and was too good.”

Prominent Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan continued his mid-week metro form with stayer Red Phantom and sprinter Unlikely Story giving him a double.

“Mid-week racing has been kind to me lately, and it’s always good to get back to Toowoomba,” said the ex-local.

Gollan had high opinions of both his winners.

“He (Red Phantom) is a genuine stayer, obviously around this time of the year we have him nominated for the Derbies, whether he’s up to that quality I’m not sure, but he’s definitely a horse with a big future.” He said.

“Unlikely Story has got Saturday city class written all over him.”

Jim Byrne who piloted both mounts said he felt Unlikely Story had only just begun to realise his potential.

“I think he needs something in front of him to really run through the line, everything he’s doing now is just pure ability once he learns a few manners he’ll be a far better horse.

Byrne bagged a treble on the day riding for the Gollan and Guy stables, while Taylor Marshall saluted twice for the Currie stable.