Gresham ends a sequence of minor placings
The Chris Waller-trained Gresham has ended a frustrating run of placings with his Eagle Farm win.
Tough gelding Gresham ended his rating as a perpetual placegetter when he continued champion trainer Chris Waller’s good run for the Star Thoroughbreds syndicate at Eagle Farm.
Gresham had gone almost a year without victory.
The gelding has run 18 minor placings but never looked like adding to that total with a 3-1/4 lengths win in the Eva Air Plate (1600m).
Jockey Matt McGillivray had Gresham situated behind the pace until the home turn before sprinting away in the straight to beat the pacemaker Great Powers ($7).
The race was run at a walking pace with the final 600m sectional 33.6 seconds meaning the backmarkers including favourite Trevelyan ($1.60) had little hope.
Trevelyan finished last after trying to come from the tail of the field in the straight.
Waller’s Queensland manager Paul Shailer said he was surprised by the slow early pace in the race.
“But it worked in Gresham’s favour as he had a perfect run,” Shailer said.
“Gresham hasn’t had much luck and missed the start badly last time.”
“I think we will keep him to races around 1600m but that is up to Chris.
Waller has had a lot of success with Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, most recently with top mare Invincibella who won her third Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race in January.