Sweet Idea Wins Elusive Group 1 In The Galaxy

Consistent mare Sweet Idea broke through for an elusive victory at Group 1 level with a fast-finishing win in the 2015 The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Sweet Idea finished over the top of her rivals to record a most impressive victory in the 2015 The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Sweet Idea finished over the top of her rivals to record a most impressive victory in the 2015 The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Sweet Idea was settled off the speed by jockey Blake Shinn in the early stages of the race, while Deep Field set a very quick early tempo and the leading hoop patiently bided his time on the classy mare.

There was plenty of winning chances at the 200 metre mark, but Sweet Idea absolutely stormed down the outside of the field to record an emphatic victory from Joe Pride-trained Kuro and popular mare Miracles Of Life.

Shinn bounced back from the disappointment of losing the ride on First Seal to give Sweet Idea a gem of a ride in The Galaxy, but the talented hoop was quick to pay credit to the toughness of the Snitzel mare and the training performance of Gai Waterhouse.

“These are the days you want to try and put your names up in lights,” Shinn said.

“What a horse – she is war horse this horse, she has been in the Group 1 winners I’m not sure how many times and she backs-up three after year.

“It is great for Gai, the connections and also the horse to be recognised at this top level.

“I thought her first trial was really good, she didn’t have the blinkers on in her second trial and it was a little bit inconclusive, but Gai put them back on today and she is just a masterful trainer and she gets the ride.”

Sweet Idea finished in the placings in the at Group 1 level on four previous occasions heading into The Galaxy and Waterhouse was absolutely delighted that the tough mare had finally recorded a much-deserved win at the highest level of racing, while she also had plenty of praise for Shinn’s well-timed ride.

“She had been all over Australia and she was too good for them today,” Waterhouse said.

“Blake and I had a quite talk in the jockeys room beforehand and he said ‘what do you think’ and I said ‘just give her some breathing space and you don’t want to use her up too soon’.

“He did exactly that and it was a magical ride by Blake.

“I am so thrilled for the owners, we have been wanting the Group 1 and she has got it in her first start back.

“What a mare!”

Sweet Idea will head to Queensland for the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and she is set to contest races like the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

About The Author

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.