THE QUICKWRAP: GOLD COAST, JAN 3: SOLID FEATURE RACE SUCCESSES FOR GUNDY SON AND PLATEAU GOLD

By Graham Potter | Sunday, January 4, 2015

The Tony Gollan trained Gundy Son faced the starter at the Gold Coast on Saturday just two runs away from retirement.

The Listed, $100 000 Goldmarket Handicap was the big prize on the day and the $64 000 first price would see Gundy Son’s earning climb past the $600 000 mark … if he could land the tenth win of his career.

That he did with some aplomb under the determined urgings of Tegan Harrison, continuing to rally strongly all the way to the line to see off the determined challenge of Daph ‘N’ Alf, who likewise gave his all in a spirited finish in his bid to complete a hat trick of victories.

The support feature, the Bat Out Of Hell Handicap, was a triumph for Coffs Harbour based trainer Jim Jarvis who made it back-to-back victories in this feature with Plateau Gold.

Plateau Gold had only had three runs in-between her two Bat Out Of Hell assignments but was clearly primed for the day and he accomplished his mission by a comfortable 1.30 length margin.

As was the case last year, Jim Byrne successfully guided Plateau Gold’s fortunes from the saddle.

Byrne had scored earlier in the day aboard the very big, Marcus Wilson trained Meteorologist, who literally loomed large when taking care of the game challenge of Rocbolt in the final chase to the line.

Luke Tarrant was the other rider to ride a double on the day.

Tarrant partnered The Darryl Hansen trained Le Chef (who has now won two out of three starts and goes to the Magic Millions) in the first race on the card and, two races later, he followed that success with a win on the Michael Nolan trained Jumbo Prince.

Away from the features but still very much in the spotlight was the Les Ross stable.

Two runners, Voodoo Blue Magic and Friendly Dragon, for two winners tell the story of a stable who can’t seem to put a foot wrong. The only slight difference was it was good to see a couple of apprentices being giving the chance to get in on the act with Jimmy Orman (Voodoo Blue Magic) and Samuel Payne (Friendly Dragon) doing the riding honours.

Another apprentice had a happy day. With father Mick watching in the grandstand, Luke Dittman got the job done in emphatic style on the Alicia Willick trained Nicky Nocky whose 3.30 length winning margin was the biggest on the day.

Three favourites, Le Chef ($2.50), Plateau Gold ($4.80) and Friendly Dragon ($4.40) saluted over the eight race program. Three winners, Meteorologist ($12), Voodoo Blue Magic ($14) and ($13) Gundy Son came home at double figure odds.

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