Callaghan's patient approach bears fruit

Wednesday 11 November 2015, 4:52pm

Just As Loyal, a horse who likes to snack on fruit, has repaid his trainer's patience with his fourth win in a row at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Just As Loyal ($6) produced his trademark big finish to get up in the last stride to beat Tuned In ($9) by a short half-head in the Schweppes Handicap (1350m).

Trainer Mark Callaghan hasn't rushed the six-year-old who didn't have his first start until March this year.

"I didn't break him in until he was four and I gave him a year off after that," Callaghan said.

"I suppose I am reaping the benefits."

Just As Loyal has won four of his six starts, three of them at Toowoomba before Wednesday's Ipswich victory.

Callaghan said Just As Loyal liked to eat fruit as well as the usual horse feed.

"You name it he likes it. Nectarines, grapes, oranges," he said.

Meanwhile, trainer Kelso Wood and owner David Devine continued one of Queensland racing's longest partnerships when $150,000 buy Charcuterie ($3) won the Ray White Ipswich Plate.

Property developer Devine has either raced horses in his own right or in syndicates with Wood for two decades.

Their best horse has been Group One winner Sizzling, who like Charcuterie is by champion sire Snitzel.

Stable representative Patricia Gesler said Charcuterie had improved markedly since he was gelded.

Jockey Jim Byrne predicted Wednesday's Ipswich winner Witches Luck could develop into a handy middle-distance horse after she appreciated a distance rise to score a breakthrough victory.

"She only won a maiden today but I would like to see her step up to 2000 metres," Byrne said.

– AAP

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