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The Ron Quinton-trained mare Crafty Irna looks set for a trip to Melbourne following a strong win in the Listed Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The four-year-old mare worked across from a wide gate to track the leader Herculian Prince[n/] down the back straight and was always poised to strike.
Crafty Irna moved up strongly on topping the rise and was able to narrowly hold off challenges from both The Verminator and Western Symbol who dead-heated for second.
Veteran Fiumicino worked home nicely to finish fourth.
Well supported favourite Dare To Dream was slowly away and never had more than a handful of runners behind him, a brief attempt to challenge around the side only short lived.
Less is More was the other disappointment having settled midfield but was only fair to the line.
The win was a second stakes success for the daughter of Starcraft – she won the Group 3 Adrian Knox as a three-year-old – and a second stakes success for her young rider Sam Clipperton.
Quinton was full of praise for Clipperton following the race.
“She has had a great prep,” said a jubilant Quinton.
“I'm pumped for Crafty and I'm just so pumped for Sam.
“The owners were so supportive of me putting him on her and he's delivered well.
“I told him before the race, he's drawn a bit awkward and you're gonna need a lot of luck son, it's all in your hands.
“It was a great result.”
Quinton hinted that a trip to Melbourne is now on the cards with the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes a likely target.
“She was going to the paddock but the Matriarch Stakes on the last day is now an option.”
Earlier on the card the Brisbane based Better Than Ready booked himself a ticket south with a sizzling win in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.
Better Than Ready broke the track record running over the top of a the Group 2 Roman Consul winner Jolie Bay and speedy fillies Brave Soul and Ichihara.