Real Good Breaks Maiden In Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic

Trevor Miller-trained Real Good held-off a fast-finishing Handfast to record his maiden race win in the 2015 Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic at the Sunshine Coast this afternoon.

Real Good, Red V, white cap, scored maiden win in the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello

Real Good, Red V, white cap, scored maiden win in the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello

Real Good and Headfast were both settled in the middle of the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic field in the early stages of the race, while prerace favourite Frequendly received a dream run behind early leader Taillevent.

Frequendly responded well when she was asked for an extra effort by jockey Brad Stewart when the field entered the straight and he looked like the winner at the 200 metre mark before Real Good stormed down the outside.

Real Good looked as though he was going to cruise to a comfortable victory, but Handfast loomed on the scene late and only narrowly missed securing his first race win.

Real Good was making his return to the races for the first time this preparation after he finished behind in the Brisbane Marriott Hotel Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on December 20, second behind Le Chef in the First National Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 3 and eighth in the Racing Minister’s Classic (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast on January 17.

The talented juvenile has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) that will be held at Doomben on June 6 and he is a chance of backing up in the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce Stakes (2000m) at Doomben next weekend.

Handfast made up plenty of ground late to finish second in the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic and he was protested against by connections of third place finish Mr Optimistic, but the protest was dismissed.

Mr Optimistic was taking winning form into the Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic after he broke his maiden with a victory in the Tradies Day Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 29 and was arguably unlucky not to finish closer to the leading duo.

Frequendly was having his first race start since she failed to fire in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on January and the Sequalo gelding received a dream ride from Stewart, but he knocked up in the final stages of the race to finish fourth.

The Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic is named after legendary Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan, who holds the record for the most metropolitan victories in Brisbane and scored plenty of victories at the highest level of racing.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.