Queensland owner Lex Nichols had always been an admirer of the Kurt Goldman-trained, Irish Songs and had followed his career closely.
Under Goldman’s guidance, Irish Song had won the Listed National Sprint, Wagga Town Plate, a couple of Highway victories, been placed in the Listed Straight Six, and finished a close-up fourth in the $1.3M Kosciuszko, so when the opportunity arose via last December’s Inglis Online Sale to bid for the now 7yo, Nichols didn’t hesitate.
Securing the 7yo son of Shamus Award, for $30,000.00, Irish Song was on the float north to complex of Sunshine Coast Trainer, Louise White and after winning his local debut at Doomben on Saturday, at the lucrative odds of 40/1, Irish Song has further endeared himself to Nichols and in the process, proved his purchase price a bargain!
“He arrived in really good order, he was well looked after by Kurt and his career record proves that,” White said after the win.
“We went to the races Saturday with a happy, sound runner with good form – I wasn’t sure why the price was so generous.” White pondered
“He actually opened up at 100/1 when markets first went up, but he’s competed in, and won a few, quality races down south – but anyway, I don’t think Lex is complaining.” White said with a smile, and nor he should, as he also collected $48,800.00 in prizemoney.
Ridden by Larry Cassidy, Irish Song settled midfield in the Benchmark 80 (1350m) and was perfectly poised behind the leading group as the filed rounded the turn, before storming home over the final 100m to catch race-favourite, Ned’s Gully, with a neck to spare crossing the line.
“Larry was really impressed with him and while we will take it steadily with him, there’s a couple of nice Listed grade races during the Winter that we’ll have to keep in mind now perhaps.” White contemplated when asked about any future plans for the gelding.
“He came up here last year for the Carnival and lined up in the Spear Chief and BRC Sprint, but with both races at Eagle Farm, not sure he really liked the surface of the track, back then.”
“A bit of rain during winter won’t bother him either, he loves some give in the tracks.”
Surely not as much though, as Nichols loves Irish Songs.