As the spring racing carnival hits full stride, Ipswich hosted a six-race card last week on a Soft 5 track, with familiar names dominating the winner’s circle.
Reigning premiership jockey Angela Jones and in-form hoop Ben E Thompson each notched doubles, while master trainer Tony Gollan celebrated a stable treble in another commanding afternoon for Queensland’s premier yard.
Thompson kicked off proceedings aboard Power Reece, who claimed the opener by a narrow margin. The Maurice x Power O’Raylee filly, trained by Gollan, started as the $3.40 favourite at just her third career start and looks to have plenty of upside heading into future races.
Thompson’s second came aboard Galactic Star in race three, cruising to a length victory for the S. W. Kendrick stable. The Star Turn x Bleue Pepite gelding debuted as a heavily backed favourite from gate three, rewarding punters after a trio of impressive trials that yielded two wins and a placing.
Meanwhile, Angela Jones produced another polished double for the Gollan team.
She piloted Gelatin (Snitzel x Jellicles) to victory in race two, winning by just over a length after firming from $5.60 into $2.90. The gelding now boasts three wins and four placings from 18 starts.
Jones’ second success came aboard Exceloquent, who delivered a stylish three-length win in race five. The Exceed and Excel x I Am Eloquent filly returned from a 41-week spell to begin her second campaign, having shown sharp improvement through recent trials. Sent out the $2.35 favourite, she repaid the Gollan stable’s patience in emphatic fashion.
It was a day that once again underlined the strength of the Gollan-Jones partnership – and the continued dominance of Queensland’s premier stable as the spring action heats up.
