Irish Ace, racing over the longer 1800m for the first time, was able to overcome the outside barrier to win the LAMBERT LOCATIONS Class 2 Handicap today at Sunshine Coast.
After some unlucky runs recently as she started to increase in journey, it did look like the rain during the week and the 1800m would suit today as she prepared for her last run this campaign. The barrier gods then disappointed, (they are quite good at that lately), and the Swiss Ace mare drew barrier 13/13, before a scratching brought her into barrier 12.
Jaden Lloyd rode her very cold from the start and let her drift to last, and with a strong tempo on early she found herself a good 15 lengths from the leader with a lot of work to do. Rather than take the wide option to sweep around them, Jaden saved all the ground prior to the turn and forced a way through at the 300m to appear on the scene with all the momentum and the race was quickly over.
As mentioned, that will be the end of the campaign for Irish Ace and she will now have a well deserved spell whilst the tracks are hard over the next few months. She did a good job with 8 starts, for 2 wins, 2 3rds, 2 4ths, a 5th, and an unlucky 7th first up from barrier 15; earning prizemoney virtually in every start for some $34K for the campaign.
Congratulations to all at Esprit Racing for keeping her up and running so strongly and consistently, and well done to all of her owners for their patience, as it has taken some time for it all to click.
Photography again spectacular, courtesy of Tenley Snow.