Sequesay scorches older rivals
RACING: When you’ve got an engine like Sequesay, age means little.
Tony and Maddy Sears look to have a smart one on their hands, with their two-year-old filly getting the job done in style at Clifford Park.
Having just her third race start, Sequesay ($1.40 fav) made light work of older rivals, scoring in the Neil Mansell Group Benchmark 70 Handicap (870m).
Jumping straight to the front, she was never headed at any stage of the race, with jockey Luke Tarrant barely moving a muscle to score by 1 ¼ lengths from Orsetto ($6).
“We’ve always had a very high opinion of her. She’s easily the fastest horse in the stable,” Maddy said.
“That’s how we expected her to win. She was impressive in her jumpout, and even though she was stepping up to take on older horses, her speed was too much.
“When Luke came back, he said he felt bad for taking the race as easy as he did. At not one point did he move. He said it felt like a track gallop.”
The Sears are familiar with the bloodline, with Sequesay’s mother (Sequillian) and halfbrother (Easy Come) under their care.
Sequesay scorched the turf in 50.21 for the 870m, running the last 600m in 33.71.
Sears said her next assignment will see her tackle metropolitan grade for the first time.
“We’re going to aim her for the 1000m two-year-old event on Sunshine Coast Cup day,” she said.
“She’s pulled up great. The 1000m will be the question, but the way she won her 900m events, it will take a serious horse to run her down.”
Tarrant finished with another double after partnering Ego Dancer (Ken Jones) to victory.
Rothabye ($6.50) finished too powerfully for Charleville trainer Mark Johnstone to take out the Country Heist Benchmark 60 Handicap (1300m).
AROUND THE TRACKS
Niccanova ($15) was Toowoomba’s lone chance for trainer Steve Tregea in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Getting across from barrier 12 to sit on the fence, James Orman opted to stay close to the rail as others drifted towards the centre of the track.
He made steady ground to finish 11th, beaten three lengths behind Tofane ($12) in the feature.