James McDonald too good again as Rediener upsets Yellow Brick
Rediener upset the fav Yellow Brick
Queenslander Yellow Brick was $1.50 into $1.35 but his backers were never on good terms with themselves as the powerful Chris Waller and James McDonald combination had the last laugh.
McDonald produced a terrific ride behind the speed on Rediener while Queensland hoop Ben Thompson was well back on Yellow Brick and left the one-time Stradbroke Handicap hopeful with too much work to do.
That was the tale of the tape in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm, with Yellow Brick surging late to grab second but in reality never looking a winning hope.
A boilover! Rediener upsets the short-priced favourite in Yellow Brick and multis around the country are turned to confetti! 😮 @mcacajamez@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/YjeRvxubMZ
- 7HorseRacing ðŸÂÂŽ (@7horseracing) June 10, 2023
Yellow Brick, who had missed a Stradbroke start when being fifth emergency, will now be put away and return in spring to target the riches of a $10m Golden Eagle campaign in Sydney.
To the winners of the Gunsynd went the spoils with big-time part-owner owner Max Whitby, now living on the Gold Coast, chuffed with McDonald's ride.
The Toowoomba training combination of Tony and Maddysen Sears were less than delighted with Thompson's ride on Yellow Brick.
As punters came for Yellow Brick, Rediener drifted dramatically in betting from $5 to $9.50 but was still good enough thanks to a gun ride from champion hoop McDonald.
"James rode him beautifully from a good barrier draw and that made all the difference," Waller said.
"The favourite, in another few bounds, might have got us but he (McDonald) got the job done.
"This horse has learned to be a winner this preparation and he hasn't looked back.
"He's gone from one step and today was another big step again."
McDonald said Rediener, who has now won three of his last four starts, would be even better in his four-year-old season.
"He's a nice fit galloper and his form might really come through later in the year," McDonald said.
"He's a talented horse and I think he's got a bit more furnishing to do."
Meanwhile, in the two-year-old race which kicked off Stradbroke day, Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace scored with a stylish son of Maurice.
Namesake was backed from $10 into $7.50 in the Listed Oxlade Stakes and didn't let his supporters down, holding off Snowden-trained juvenile Heman ($12) who charged late in the 1300m contest.
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