It was a great thrill for his owners who were able to attend the Grafton Carnival to see Braces win the CRJC Grafton 3yo Guineas.
Braces (Duporth x Mount Juliet) was purchased from the 2013 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $17,000 by his trainer.
The gelding has now notched up three wins and five placings from ten starts.This prep he has never been out of the placings in his seven starts, which now includes his three wins. As reported Braces has been to Kembla, Hawkesbury, Nowra, Goulburn and Taree before making his trip to Grafton on Sunday. So not only has he raced very well but he is a good traveller. This was also his first attempt over the 1600m distance which he won in a course record – 1.34.01. The previous 1600m track record has stood since July 1997 – held by Dancing Sun (a winner of 16 races).
Winona Costin produced a patient ride aboard Braces ($9) to take out the race in a blanket finish. Winona burst through the pack in the straight to hold on in an exciting finish over Chrysolaus ($8) by a short-neck and to the Scott Singleton trained, Spinning Dawn ($26) in third place. The favourite Conarchie, trained by Clarry Connors was unplaced.
Braces won a healthy bit of prizemoney with his win, $86,610, which was boosted by a $50,000 Inglis bonus and a $10,000 BOBS bonus.
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