The Thompson and Tyler families combined for Group 1 glory on Thursday night when star Victorian stayer Collinda Patty held on for a thrilling victory in the TAB Queensland Cup final (710m) at Albion Park.
It was a fairy tale result for Boisdale owner/breeder Steph Tyler and husband Sam, as their heart-wrenching decision to hand Collinda Patty and a number of her talented littermates to champion mentor Jason Thompson returned a $150,000 dividend.
“It was a dream come true,” said Steph on Friday morning.
“I didn’t sleep at all last night. I went to bed about 11.30pm and my eyes wanted to close but my brain could not switch off!
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get up to Brisbane. I was dying to be there, but Sam and the boys have been sick, and he couldn’t afford to have any more time off work, but we were definitely there in spirit!
“I lost my voice. Seona and Jason (Thompson) facetimed us from Bali, where they’re on holidays, and I could hardly speak. It was just so overwhelming.”
Collinda Patty was the fastest qualifier for the Cup after a 41.51sec heat win at her Albion Park debut.
Despite that dominant front-running display, the Sandown 595m record holder started $5.50 from Box 6, with South Australian Bedrock Fred (Box 1) the $2.40 favourite.
With Jason Thompson in Bali, both Collinda Patty and Bedrock Fred were based with caretaker trainer, Tony Brett.
Collinda Patty came out running from the outside alley and spread the field out mid-race as she opened up a commanding lead, before holding the strong-finishing Bedrock Fred and Days Of Thunder ($8) at bay, scoring by three-quarters of a length in 41.67sec.
“It’s a real pinch me moment. I’m still thinking did it actually happen?” Steph said.
“She’s done it for herself and she’s done it for the litter, to show how special they are.
“We knew what they could do when we gave them to Jason to train and we get just as much satisfaction out of it.
“They’ve been given opportunities that there’s no way we could have given them. Going up Brisbane, how do you even go about doing that?”
‘Team Dailly’ kennelmates Gypsy Wyong ($31) and Drako Bale ($31) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
Tony Brett went on to claim a G1 double in the Brisbane Cup final (520m) with Orchestrate ($3.50) victorious in 29.65sec.
Victorian Photo Man, trained by Gavin Clifton, started $3.40 favourite from Box 1 and was the best of the three Vic finalists, running third, with Jason Thompson’s defending champion Equalizer ($7) finishing fifth and Big Opal Rocks ($7), prepared by Mario Briganti, eighth.
Collinda Patty’s Queensland Cup victory was the first leg of a G1 double for champion local trainer Tony Brett.
Images: Box 1 Photography
