A SEVEN-MONTH winning drought ended by the narrowest of margins as Ludik produced a thrilling victory to headline a competitive seven-race card at Ipswich Turf Club.
Prepared by 2025 Ipswich Cup-winning trainer Troy Pascoe, the six-year-old gelding attracted significant market support, firming from $20 into $6.50 before prevailing in a nail-biting finish by just 0.04 of a length.
The son of Under the Louvre x Merryanna needed every inch of the home straight to get his nose in front, ending a frustrating run without victory and taking his career record to five wins and four placings from 23 starts.
Following a week of rain, the Bundamba track opened at a Soft 6, with conditions gradually improving throughout the afternoon.
But while the track was drying out, the racing was heating up.
For Highland Kitty, the wait was finally over with the Highland Reel x Magic Kitty mare breaking through for her maiden win on her 15th career start and in her first appearance at the Bundamba circuit.
Prepared by Sunshine Coast trainer Jacob Leach, Highland Kitty had earned a reputation as something of a bridesmaid, collecting nine placings without finding the winner’s circle.
However, a change of scenery proved just the tonic as she finally shook off the maiden tag, rewarding connections for their persistence.
One of the afternoon’s biggest betting plunges came courtesy of Tony Gollan-trained Texas, who attracted heavy market support after opening at $24 before being crunched into $3.60 favouritism.
However, the plunge came unstuck when Texas found himself boxed in.
Instead, it was Mishani Vision ($7) who stole the spotlight.
With apprentice Liv Kendall in the saddle, the filly stormed home to claim her maiden victory.
There were no such nervous moments for supporters of Dragon Link ($1.35), the shortest-priced favourite of the afternoon.
The Farnan x Kennocha gelding justified his short quote in emphatic fashion, jumping straight to the lead and never surrendering his advantage.
Ridden confidently by Jag Guthmann-Chester, Dragon Link made every post a winner to secure consecutive victories, marking his first appearance at Ipswich with another commanding performance.
