Bjorn Baker & Tim Clark have combined with Robusto ($31.00) claiming the Group 2 Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, storming clear at a massive price with horse racing bookmakers.
The son of Churchill put the writing on the wall last time out, finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) behind Private Eye ($6.00), closing off best of the rest in what turned out to be an on-speed dominated affair.
The Churchill gelding got conditions to suit this time around, with Clark lobbing onto the back of a hot tempo from barrier four, courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained I’mintowin ($7.00) powering across to maintain the early lead despite bombing the start.
The heavily-back favourite with Neds, Gringotts ($4.00), seemingly got the perfect trail under Tommy Berry, allowing I’mintowin to give him the ideal cart into the race.
Once asked for the ultimate effort, Gringotts appeared to be travelling best, but it was the Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old gaining the upper hand, fending off the late challenges of Steparty ($15.00) and Encap ($26.00) in the concluding stages.
2024 Group 2 The Ingham Replay – Robusto
Stable representative Luke Hilton was on was on course at Randwick and spoke post-race on behalf of the Bjorn Baker barn.
“He’s done an amazing job this time in,” said Hilton.
“He hasn’t had any luck, and he finally drew a gate today and it paid dividends with a great ride by Tim (Clark).
“He was an outstanding run (in the Festival Stakes), he was three-wide no cover from a poor gate and really stuck on well. There were question marks with him at the mile, but when he came up with gate four, we were confident he’s going well and just has to run out a strong mile.
“It’s a super result for the team.”
Tim Clark spoke race and suggested the better barrier did wonders for his winning chances on Saturday.
“He just hadn’t been able to draw a barrier until today,” said Clark.
“He jumped great, I looked to put him a bit closer than expected, but he was happy being there and I didn’t want to take that away from him.
“Obviously following the right horses, it was just a matter of being patient on him and I didn’t want to expose him too soon, but I’mintowin and Gringotts weren’t taking me far enough and I saw the gap come and he dashed through really well.
“Great to win this race.”
Not only does Robusto claim the major portion of the $2 million prize but is also now ballot exempt for the 2025 Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
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