3 minute read
Ryan Maloney masters Isotope to win the Gold Edition Plate at Doomben.
Isotope's thrilling victory in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Doomben has set the stage for an enticing Magic Millions Guineas re-match on January 16 at the Gold Coast.
Following a dominant victory in the Listed Mode Plate at Doomben, the Tony Gollan trained Isotope was shuffled back in the field, before unleashing a devastating turn of foot under Ryan Maloney to chase down this year's Magic Millions winner Away Game.
"When we ended up where we did it wasn't by design I can tell you that much, but (Maloney) doesn't buckle under pressure and he had a bloody good filly underneath him," Gollan said.
"We weren't chasing a slow one and when they kick like Away Game did, they are never easy to catch.
"She is cool, calm and collected and if we had any worries of her getting 1400m and relaxing, there aren't any after today.
"I can't speak highly enough of this filly. We will cool our jets now for the next four weeks and the next you will see of her is on Magic Millions day."
Heavily backed into $1.50 at the jump, there were plenty of hairy moments after Maloney had to bide his time to find clear running until the 300m point.
"She stepped slow and when I didn't have the horse to muster I was just on the back foot from the get go," Maloney said.
"I eventually got out at the top of the straight and looked to see Maher's horse (Away Game) had a good run and I just thought today's not her day, she will run a nice second.
"She just kept picking up and I thought she was going to give this a nice shake, (I was) just hoping she could get there.
"I haven't had a horse that has given me a feeling like that, Alligator Blood never had that turn of foot he was just so tough."
While Isotope won't race again until Magic Millions day apart from a likely jumpout, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's travelling foreman Christine Duffey is confident Away Game has plenty of improvement to come.
"She pulled up really, really well and has had a bit of a blow," Duffey said.
"She will definitely improve fitness wise off it but she has pulled up really well after eight months between runs.
"She had a prep to get ready for the Moir Stakes but there obviously was a bit of a hiccup with that.
"It's always a little bit worrying when you go back into their three-year-old year but when they go like that first run back it is really reassuring."
The final leg of a three race series in the lead-up to the Magic Millions, attention will now turn towards the Listed Vo Rogue (1400m) at Eagle Farm on January 2, where JJ Atkins runner-up Gotta Kiss will showcase her Guineas credentials.