Stuzzikini (near side) jumps the last alongside Lucid Dreams© Photo Healy Racing
Local trainer Gordon Elliott had half of the 18 runners for Navan’s Bar One Racing Troytown Chase today and landed the showpiece for the seventh time with his 20/1 ‘pick’ Stuzzikini under substitute jockey Gavin Brouder.
Elliott was customarily well represented at his flagship fixture this weekend and having registered a five-timer yesterday, had indeed mentioned ‘quirky’ Stuzzikini on RacingTV as his selection for today’s race.
Jockey Brouder, whose intended mount Where It All Began was a morning non-runner, was thus filling-in for injured Danny Gilligan on Stuzzikini and, in the race, held a mid-field position before improving to challenge entering the home straight.
Six-year-old Stuzzikini went in pursuit of leader Lucid Dreams at the second-last and having led after the last, finished well to score by 2.5 lengths. Stablemates Yeah Man and Perceval Legallois filled third and fourth for Gavin Cromwell while Elliott’s next best runner Mars Harper was fifth.
Elliott, earlier successful with The Yellow Clay was recording his seventh success this weekend and mentioned "I tipped Stuzzikini up yesterday and I said he had a chance: I just thought he was a horse that leaves a bit for himself.
"He is a bit of a monkey but I thought could have a couple of pounds up his sleeve.
"Danny (Gilligan) was unfortunate as he got a recent fall but Gavin gave him a great ride. In fairness to him (Brouder), I'd say he has won on most of my horses he rides so we’ll just keep him riding in the big chases.
"To win seven Troytown's is unbelievable."
Joint-owner Francis Foran added “that’s my first horse and it is magical. What a day, I nearly fell coming out of the stands!
"I went to school with (bloodstock agent) Mouse O'Ryan who is a great friend of mine and always was, and I wanted a horse to have a little bit of fun with.
The big thing for me was, it is a platform for mental health all around Ireland with what I am doing at the minute. We are in and out of schools and clubs trying to promote mental health. Mental health has so much in common with racing - you have great days and you have bad days.
“The dream has come true today.”
Quotes from Michael Graham
