The Gerald Ryan trained Ironstein gained a Melbourne Cup consolation when winning the Group 3 $250,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington today.
Ironstein, who has been in training all year, was 26th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry when final field was declared last Saturday.
While its owners John Singleton and co weren’t happy with that result, it proved much better today.
The win was comprehensive after jockey Brenton Avdulla settled the six year old midfield in a slowly run race led by Paddy O’Reilly.
Favourite Bauer settled third on the fence with Shootoff outside the leader.
It was obvious the race would turn into a sprint home.
There appeared to be no hard luck stories as Ironstein, though crossing Shootoff sharply at the 200m, simply sprinted best.
Ironstein ($20) defeated Shootoff ($9.50) by two and a quarter lengths with Paddy O’Reily ($20)holding on for third,the same margin away. Bauer ($2.10) laboured in fourth.
For Avdulla it was two for two aboard Ironstein having also won the Group 3 Tatts Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Ironstein had been worked over the jumps and has thrived in Melbourne.
“He should have ran second in The Metropolitan,” Ryan said.
“He has been up since boxing day and has only had eight days off since.
“Out of his last 19 starts, he has finished out of the first five twice.
“So I knew if I brought him down (to Melbourne) he would run well.”
While Ironstein is entered for the Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown next Saturday, Ryan is leaning towards spelling the son of Zabeel.
