Pure Purrfection scored a consolation win for trainer Tony Gollan in the Listed $80,000 Yellowglen Bribie Handicap (1110m) at Doomben today.
Pure Purrfection scores a consolation win for Tony Gollan in the Bribie Handicap. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Gollan had just finished watching his top class sprinter Spirit Of Boom run second to outsider Famous Seamus in the Group 1 $400,000 Bundaberg Distilling Co. BTC Cup (1200m) forty minutes earlier.
“Nearly a really good day. Second in the Group 1, was clearly the one we wanted but I’ll take this as a consolation,” Gollan said.
“She has been a real trick mare. You think she is going to win a BenchMark 80 or 90 and she runs second.”
“We stepped her up to this Listed grade and I think what she appreciated today was the really genuine tempo. She’s been in too many sit and sprint races and Jimmy’s really found the key to her these last two runs.”
“His done a great job so I will give full credit to him.”
Jimmy Byrne was having his first ride on Pure Purrfection this preparation for a second to Rockhampton boom sprinter Our Boy Malachi last start.
“Her run the other day put the writing on the wall,” Byrne said.
“She was nearing a win, but obviously the speed in the race really played into how hands.”
“Got a pretty good run during the race and didn’t really have to do too much, just click her up at the right time.”
Byrne brought Pure Purrfection ($21) with a well-timed run to hit the front fifty metres from the post to hold off Metallurgical ($19) with Doubtfilly ($17) also running on for third.
James McDonald on runner up Metallurgical fired in a protest against Pure Purrfection for interference at the 400m but the stewards were quick to dismiss the objection.
The bubble has well and truly burst for prolific North Queensland winner Our Boy Malachi ($2.80 favourite) who had to work a little to get to the lead but faded in the straight to finish fifth, his first defeat from his last twelve starts.
Gollan was also in the winner’s stall earlier in the day when his Queensland Derby hope Amexed took out the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m).
