Ellawisdom Scores Upset Win In Bright Shadow Handicap

Inconsistent mare Ellawisdom stormed home from the tail of the field to record an impressive victory in the 2014 Bright Shadow Handicap at Eagle Farm this afternoon.

Ellawisdom scored an upset win in the 2014 Bright Shadow Handicap in Brisbane this afternoon.

Ellawisdom scored an upset win in the 2014 Bright Shadow Handicap in Brisbane this afternoon. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Ellawisdom was settled at the tail of the field by jockey Ric McMahon and the leading Brisbane hoop rode the daughter of Top Echelon patiently before asking her for an extra effort at the 250 metre mark.

Ellawisdom showed impressive acceleration to hit the front at the 100 metre and scored her maiden black type victory from a fast-finishing Avaladyluck and Saturn Rock, while favourite She’s Clean was unable to get into the finish after finding trouble coming around the turn.

“She has come back very good and perhaps too good,” McMahon said.

“As we know she has to get to the outside or she won’t go, so I had to jag her back to last.

“There was no tempo on paper, but when they think there is no tempo they put a bit of speed on and it worked out good for her.

“To be honest she just cruised and I waited until just before we straightened and I tapped on the back of Brenton Avdulla’s mount.

“It was just a matter of going through the motions after that.”

Ellawisdom has shown plenty of potential since she made her racing debut back in 2011, but has been a frustrating horse for trainer Trevor Thomas because of her regular habit of missing the start before running home strongly.

Thomas was clearly delighted that Ellawisdom has finally lived up to her potential in such a big race and is hoping that the four-year-old has finally got on top of her problems in the barriers.

“It was great to see,” Thomas said.

“She has always threatened to do it, but it is one of those things that you keep sending her around and you keep going home disappointed.

“She runs sensational sectionals every time and she comes out the loser.

“We never even looked at a race – there is only one way to ride her and there is no point in changing that.”

Thomas confirmed that the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on June 28 is the major 2014 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival for Ellawisdom.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.