Under-rated gelding Kirwan’s Lane has capped a memorable day for John O’Shea, leading home a stable quinella in the $2 million The Ingham to give the top trainer a feature race double.
One of the first horses O’Shea purchased after departing Godolphin to train in his own right, Kirwan’s Lane ($21) trailed the speed for Brenton Avdulla before bursting clear and holding out the fast-closing Lion’s Roar ($51) by a half-neck.
Atishu ($12) was also doing his best work late for third, another short head away.
O’Shea had taken out the $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) with Saltaire earlier in the program and went close to snaring the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) with Waihaha Falls, who finished second to Sky Command.
But Kirwan’s Lane was the star of the afternoon, defying O’Shea’s fears he was poorly weighted to post his eleventh career-win in Saturday’s 1600m showpiece.
“A special day for us,” O’Shea said.
“Perfect ride by Brenton. We were so happy with him coming into the race, I just felt the 57 (kilos) may be a bit much for him, that was the only issue I had with him.”
Kirwan’s Lane’s Ingham victory has earned him a ballot exemption from the Doncaster Mile and O’Shea confirmed that race would be his autumn goal.
Lion’s Roar ran his best race since returning from an injury-enforced lay off and will press on to the Summer Cup at Randwick on Boxing Day, as will the unplaced Diamil ($8).
For Avdulla, the win confirmed his luck had finally turned after a quiet spring.
Kirwan’s Lane was his sixth winner since Wednesday and gave him a double on the program after Penthouse’s Highway Handicap success.
“I had a bit of a lean trot,” Avdulla said.
“It swung around this week, my luck. I had a few winners during the week and it was grand final day for this horse.
“He executed everything really well and John prepared him tremendously.”
Group 1 winner Huetor was doing his best work late to finish less than two lengths from the winner in his first start since overcoming a career-threatening eye injury.
“First up he’s run a cracking race. It’s good to have him back,” jockey Kerrin Mcevoy said.
Riodini started a $7.50 fav and raced on speed but was overhauled late to finish sixth.