It was definitely Saint Patricks Day on Boxing Day when the 3-year old colt won the IRON JACK QTIS Three-Years-Old Plate over the 1400 metres for his first-time owners.

The son of Excelebration looked an absolute treat in the mounting yard and he did not disappoint his trainer on the track either.  Jumping smartly away from gate three jockey Ronnie Stewart let the colt stride to the front of the five-horse field under a good hold.  Going along with him was Grinch and the two horses tussled it out for outright first position.  At one stage, as the travelled down the side together, Saint Patricks Day took the lead by about half a length and at the 600metre mark Stewart had let the colt slip to the front by about a length and a quarter.  From there he was never going to be bested and as he passed the furlong mark he was well clear by three to four lengths.  Easing down as they crossed the finish line he ended up winning by 2 lengths in a time of 1:25:38.

‘It was a different way of riding him today. He has never led before,’ said trainer Chris Munce.  ‘It may have been the slow run race and the blinkers back on that fired him up.  He definitely won’t be ridden like that on Magic Millions day.  He will be back in behind the leaders, hopefully mid-field.  In saying that it was a very convincing win today.’

By Excelebration (IRE), Saint Patricks day is out of the Dehere (USA) mare Danahere.  His race record now stands at 8 starts for 3:1:0

To add to this story his half-sister, Goldmine (Manhattan Rain), won her third race on two days earlier on Christmas Eve over 1425metres.  Her race record stands at 8 starts for 3:0:1 – talk about keeping it in the family.

Congratulations to his owners Mr A J Holt, Mrs E J Geldard, Mr S A Edward, Mrs S M Edward, Mr J M Geldard

[Photos courtesy of Grant Peters, Trackside Photography]