Axe and Seat of Power win big features races at Clifford Park

Weetwood Handicap: Two trainers wrote their names into the Clifford Park history book at the weekend with impressive feature race wins on Toowoomba’s biggest race day. Details here.

RACING: Winning on Toowoomba’s biggest race day, the Weetwood Handicap, is the stuff dreams are made of.

The $150,000 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood Handicap and $125,000 TAB Toowoomba Cup are circled by nearly every trainers, jockey and horse owners as dream wins.

For trainer Jack Bruce, who had his first runner in May after working under a number of prominent trainers, the Weetwood was a dream he never expected to be a reality quite so soon.

Bruce’s Axe overcame an outside barrier draw to cut down a strong field in the Weetwood on Saturday.

“It’s a big result especially when you consider the work he (Axe) had to do from the outside barrier,” Bruce said.

“The tight finish was the result of all the work he had to do in the race after starting out wide but he toughed it out.”

Just 0.2 of a length separated Axe and a fast-finishing Mass Destruction (Tony Gollan) with Garibaldi 0.4 of a length back in third.

For Queensland’s leading trainer and former Toowoomba lad Gollan, it was a case of so near yet so far once again.

Axe ridden by Samantha Collett wins the 2022 Weetwood Handicap. Saturday, September 24, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Axe ridden by Samantha Collett wins the 2022 Weetwood Handicap. Saturday, September 24, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Gollan picked up three wins on Saturday – including the Garden City Guineas with Madame Odette – but the Weetwood still eludes him.

After lifting the Weetwood trophy, Bruce paid tribute to his team and discussed their plans for Axe.

“I’m really proud of my whole team – this was a big result for everyone,” he said.

“I’m particularly happy for the owners because I think this win repays the faith they’ve had in the horse and us (Bruce’s team).

“I was little apprehensive about our chances because of the wide draw, but Sam (Collett) was confident he could get the job done and she rode him really well in the win.

“We’re looking at a few races over the next few months, but the big goal is Magic Millions, but we’ll ultimately be guided by what we see from him (Axe) over the next few months.”

Earlier on the card, trainer Gary Duncan wrote his name into the Clifford Park history books with a second straight Toowoomba Cup win.

Duncan, who won in 2021 with Wapiti, saddled up Seat of Power who held on to win by 0.1 of a length in a thrilling finish to cup.

Gollan was the ‘nearly man’ again with Aussie Nugget storming home to finish second ahead of Red Wave.

“Going back-to-back is amazing,” Duncan said.

“I won the Weetwood a few years back and always wanted to get the double – the Weetwood and the Cup – to get my second cup win in a row is pretty special.

“I always thought we were a chance, but when he (Seat of Power) was pushed wide early we were kind of caught in no-man’s land.

“We toughed it out though – it was an exciting finish with Aussie Nugget, and I’m glad we got the win.”

Seat of Power wins the Toowoomba Cup ridden by James Orman. Saturday, September 24, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Seat of Power wins the Toowoomba Cup ridden by James Orman edging out Aussie Nugget and Ben Thompson. Saturday, September 24, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.