Igraine scores Aussie stakes win

A return to a soft track helped the Trelawney Stud owned Igraine (Galileo) score in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Trainer Robert Priscott brought Igraine to Queensland with the Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm three weeks ago as her main aim. 

However, she was never in the hunt after being blocked for runs in the straight to finish 12th.

Priscott said he expected a much better run in the Caloundra Cup, especially when rain fell all week.

He was proved right when Igraine was far too good, scoring by 2-1/4 lengths over Sopressa.

"She had no luck at her start in the Brisbane Cup after she had run two good races in the lead up. But she likes the track to have some give and she got that today," Priscott said.

"We can head down to Grafton now for their Cup (July 11) which should suit her as well. Then she is staying in Australia to go to stud."

Priscott is best known in Australia for his Group One mare Hill of Grace, who was bred and sold by Trelawney Stud, who raced well in the Spring carnivals in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

"I have been to Queensland occasionally with some horses and last time I was here a few years back I had a two-year-old filly Diamond Deck who ran some good placings," Priscott said.

Winning jockey Robbie Fradd battled a cold all day before pulling out a superb ride to win on Igraine.

"The horse is tough and so is the jockey. She was well turned out and the hard tracks had been the undoing of her," he said.

"One thing you know the Kiwis can train a stayer."

Igraine was purchased by agent Paul Moroney as a Munich maiden winner over 2000 metres for 65,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2017 on behalf of Trelawney Stud. 

She has won six of her 20 starts with a further eight placings, providing a return of $296,030 in prize-money. 

Igraine is one of five winners for European Group One-winning mare Iota who is also the dam of German Group One winner Ito (Adlerflug) and the stakes-placed Iniciar (Galileo).

Fastnet Rock has been pencilled in as a mating match for the six-year-old mare. The Fastnet Rock-Galileo cross has returned a 25 per cent stakes winners to runners ratio including seven Group One winners from a total of 67 runners led by the Chris Waller-trained 2018 Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Unforgotten. -AAP, ANZ Bloodstock News