Chris Waller’s gun six-year-old Religify was too good for his rivals back on firmer ground at Doomben Racecourse bouncing back from an unplaced run at the Farm to win The Wayne Wilson 2017.
Religify was too tough in the 2017 The Wayne Wilson on Stradbroke Handicap Day in Brisbane. Photo: Steve Hart.
Two back the Choisir gelding enjoyed a first-up Gold Coast victory in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m).
He then encountered a Heavy (8) Eagle Farm track on May 27 for the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) and couldn’t get within 12 lengths of the winner Col ‘N’ Lil running sixth.
The punters were back on Religify on Stradbroke Handicap Day however as he jumped favourite for the $100,000 Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m).
Ridden by Hugh Bowman for the third time in as many starts this time in, the galloper was allowed to take his time working to find the lead mid-race after Moher sprung out of the inside gate early and over-raced up front.
Bowman was settled third behind Moher and his mount’s last start conqueror Col ‘N’ Lil before moving up on the outside and taking over in the lead from the grey Coolring.
Around the turn, Religify led into the straight and jockey Tye Angland got off his back aboard the Godolphin-raced Moher who was chasing the leader to the line.
Religify however was too strong and enjoyed a solid win, Moher holding for third to round out the trifecta after a fast-finishing effort from the Liam Birchley-trained Mossman three-year-old Crack Me Up who made up the ground late to run second.
“He didn’t enjoy the ground at Eagle Farm two weeks ago and was suited to a tight circuit with his style of racing,” winning hoop Bowman said post-race.
Waller could be tempted to now race on with Religify backing-up in a Doomben return on Tattersall’s Tiara Day, June 24, in the $100,000 Listed G.H. Mumm Open Quality (1600m).
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2017 The Wayne Wilson Results & Finishing Order
Doomben Race 3 – 10/06/2017
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | RELIGIFY | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | – | 8 | 57kg | $3.80EF |
| 2 | 5 | CRACK ME UP (NZ) | Liam Birchley | Damian Browne | 1.3L | 5 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 3 | 6 | MOHER | Darren Bean | Tye Angland | 1.5L | 1 | 56.5kg | $3.80EF |
| 4 | 11 | I’LL FLY AWAY (IRE) | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 2.5L | 4 | 54.5kg | $31 |
| 5 | 4 | ELLE LOU | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 3L | 7 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 6 | 3 | COL ’N’ LIL | Toby Edmonds | Jeff Lloyd | 4.3L | 6 | 56.5kg | $5 |
| 7 | 2 | COOLRING | Bjorn Baker | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.8L | 10 | 57kg | $17 |
| 8 | 9 | ALASKAN ROSE (NZ) | Michael Moroney | Patrick Moloney | 6.8L | 2 | 54.5kg | $16 |
| 9 | 7 | I’M BELUCCI | Desleigh Forster | Jim Byrne | 8.1L | 9 | 56.5kg | $61 |
| 10 | 10 | MYSTIC OPAL | Chris Anderson | Larry Cassidy | 9.1L | 3 | 54.5kg | $9 |
| – | 8 | SOLD FOR SONG | Kevin Kemp | Mr James Orman | – | 0 | – | – |
