Few would argue that Ironclad (GB) sports a mouthwatering pedigree recognised worldwide, but when the son of Dubawi lined up for Wednesday's Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m), he had gone seventy-eight weeks and eleven starts without a win.
Burdened with 60kgs, Ironclad (GB) took up the running under Brad Rawiller and, though on tired legs in the final 100 metres, dug deep to record a long-head triumph over the 6yo I Am invincible gelding Jack The Lad, with the 7yo Toronado (IRE) gelding Wild Chap three-quarters of a length back in third.
Winless since capturing the Listed Matrice Stakes at Morphettville in March 2022, Ironclad (GB) raced in great heart over the Perth Summer Festival, with his highlight coming when a length second to the vaunted Amelia's Jewel in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes at Ascot in December.
Carrying the silks of Australian Bloodstock, the Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea-trained 8yo advances his record to eight wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 28 starts with earnings of $741,820.
It was the second win in the race for Rawiller, over a decade after his first.
"I was here for a horse called Bagman; he won, and I got a limo home, so I was happy enough to come back," Rawiller said.
"His couple of runs for me in Perth, if be brought any of that form here, he'd be winning.
"We had to work to hold the lead, but at the same time, when we did get it, he got a nice little sectional and a half mid-run and then his strength was making them chase, so I scooted on him, and he was able to hold on.
"It's great to get the job done, and with the big weight, it was well deserved."
The winner of two of his eight starts in England, when trained by Hugo Palmer for the late Khalid Abdullah, Ironclad (GB), is from one of Juddmonte Farm's preeminent families.
The son of champion stallion Dubawi is a half-brother to the Group 1 ATC Metropolitan Hcp winner Mirage Dancer (Frankel) out of the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes and Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes heroine Heat Haze (Green Desert).
A daughter of the blue hen Hasili, Heat Haze is a half-sister to Group 1 winners Banks Hill, Champs Elysees, Intercontinental, Cacique, champion stallion Dansili and the Group III winner Deluxe.
