First Australian win for Irish bred staying mare

MISTRESSOFILLUSION scores her first Australian win at Doomben

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Irish bred mare Mistressofillusion broke through for her first Australian win for trainer Chris Waller and recently returned jockey, Ben Thompson at Doomben.

After resuming with a very forgivable 9th at Eagle Farm in a messy race over 1800m, the rangy and lightly framed grey mare appreciated the step to 2000m at her Doomben debut.

By outstanding sire of stayers Mastercraftsman, Mistressofillusion was previously trained in the UK by Ralph Beckett where she won twice at Doncaster (2400m) and on the all weather of Kempton Park also over 12 furlongs.

“She is a top of the ground mare who appreciates it firm. She stays all day and the further they go the better,” said OnTrack CEO Grant Morgan.

Morgan welcomed the return of Ben Thompson, who recently completed a stint in Hong Kong before returning home to Queensland.

“Its brilliant to have Ben back in town. I’m certain he is going to be force in the premiership this year and we will be keen to use him as much as we can.

“Ben nailed the brief today to keep her momentum flowing at the end of her race. He said she has a great set of lungs and was hard to pull up after the win.” 

Mistressofillusion was purchased by OnTrack’s Grant Morgan and Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodostock at the 2023 Tattersalls December Mares Sale for 150,000 guineas.

Out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Il Palazzo, Mistressofillusion is a full sister to the stakes winner Still Standing. Il Palazzo is the dam of five to race for four winners. 

Congratulations to the Mistressofillusuon ownership group:

Don't Tell Catherine (Syndicate) , W C Clark, P R Mcgavin, P C McClintock, R Richardson, H L Armitage, Riddla & The Riff (Syndicate) , J J Bristow, J Wilson, C Morrison, L Robertson, B Schwartz, A Rosen & OnTrack Mistressofillusion No 1 Synd: D L Blumberg, T M Cusick, S Franklin, K J Gordon, J I Hellyer, B L Irwin, D Lawnton, R S Lorenz, S J Lowe, J Magner, S M Manning, A M Morrison-Galt, J P Shelley, D J Slater, H E Tangitu, C H Teo, J E Van Steenis, D & J Williams, T W Bliss, T Bliss, L J Britton, T Purdon & S Stevenson

Images by Grant Peters of Trackside Photography

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