Irish point-to-point graduates continue to get on the map worldwide, and today Hamilton racecourse, 300km West of Melbourne, marks the spot for the latest success.
Bold Bandit raced to victory in the TAC Maiden Highweight Plate for new trainer Patrick F Ryan jr., having finished second and fourth previously since arriving in Australia.
Former Denis Murphy inmate, Bold Bandit was second on his only start between the flags in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahane in April of last year.
The five-year-old Westerner was acquired by Ryan for owner Sandy McGregore following this run, and looks a nice prospect for his new connections.
Patrick F Ryan Junior, who trains out of Warrnambool, also has some well know ex-Willie Mullins on his books such as the dual purpose Globetrotter Clondaw Warrior, winner of 2016 Galway Hurdle, and former winner of Grade-Two hurdle, Ivan Grozny.
Speaking with racing.com after Bold Bandits victory, Ryan explained how he was impressed with the calibre of point-to-point horses in Ireland and hopes for a bright future for charge.
"I went over to Ireland and we went around to a lot of point-to-point stables, we rode a lot of horses, Tommy Ryans' brother David gave me a hand and we went through maybe 120 horses. We didn't want to buy the winners because some of them were going for €400,000, so we tried to look for something that was a little bit small by their nature, but still a good size by us. He fitted the bill, he was tough and looks sound and has done the job and looks a really nice horse."
Bold Bandit holds them all at bay in Race 4 at Hamilton. A nice Australian debut.
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 20, 2018
HAMILTON - https://t.co/WCYeZldfmi pic.twitter.com/KLYDMcEpDX
