By Glenn Davis
Toowoomba trainer Paul Nolan jnr ended a 15-year wait to win his first metropolitan QTIS race when Spending My Time was successful at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Ridden by apprentice Jag Guthmann-Chester, Spending My Time gradually wore down Racecourse Road to score by a half head in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000m).
Cailini was third, a further one length away.
A member of the famous Nolan family on Queensland’s Darling Downs, Paul Nolan was jubilant with the son of Jetspur’s win.
“That was my first winner in town for ages,” Nolan said.
“It’s been 15 years since I first tried to win a QTIS race in the city and I can’t describe how exciting it is.”
Nolan hadn’t originally planned to run Spending My Time and only had a change of heart after seeing the nominations.
“He only jumped out on Tuesday and I was planning to come here in three weeks,” Nolan said.
“When I saw the nominations, I thought it was worth a crack.
“He’s a really nice colt and I think he’ll get 1600 metres eventually.”
Spending My Time was having his first start since finishing fourth to Melbourne spring contender Granny Red Shoes in the Listed Winning Edge Stakes at Doomben in late June.
He previously won his maiden on debut at Toowoomba before finishing seventh in an open two-year-old race at Ipswich in June.
Nolan has no major plans in mind with Spending My Time, who was a cheap $20,000 buy at the Magic Millions March sales as a yearling.
“I'll just poke along and find another QTIS race in town somewhere,” Nolan said.
“I couldn’t have done this without the help of my foreman, Caitlyn Cameron, who does a magnificent job.”
Earlier birthday boy Jeff Lloyd celebrated with a win aboard Newcastle visitor Tactical Advantage in the Class Six Plate (1000m).
Tactical Advantage, who won the July Sprint first up at Randwick in July, made it seven wins in 16 starts when the gelding downed Truculent by one length.
Lloyd, who is contemplating retirement before the end of the year, turned 57 on Saturday.
Lloyd has been a revelation since he arrived in Queensland three years ago dominating the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership including 137 winners in season 2016-17.
Racing Queensland webnews Sept 1