No black-type but a Group 1 prize for the connections of the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding A Man To Match who not only pocketed the $145,000 winners cheque as the inaugural winner of the $250,000 The Tab Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast but had it topped off with another $200,000 for being a Magic Millions graduate.
Carrying the familiar colours of Peachester Lodge’s Linda Huddy, A Man To Match charged home under Baylee Nothdurft to defeat the 4yo Pierro gelding Trevelyan by with The Factor (USA) gelding Fun Fact back in third.
Nothdurft said it was the biggest win of his career to date.
“Everything worked out brilliantly we got a lovely run he was travelling so strong we just had to get out,” Nothdurft said.
“We found the back of Attainer and it was taking me into the race at the right time and when he got the split he went bang.”
Winning trainer Tony Gollen said it topped off a magical few days.
“It doesn’t top my wife giving birth to our little boy, Boyd, yesterday but it’s a very nice second. I went and saw the family this morning and I think he’s given me a bit of luck today,” Golen said.
“Baylee gave it an eleven out of ten you would have wanted to be on him the entire run and picked up beautifully round the corner to get there in time.”
“We bought this horse many years ago at the sales and with the bonus score $345,000 today which is an amazing result for connections.”
“I wanted Baylee to find a spot one off, mid field and he’s managed to get to the rail, you’ve got to remember he’s a claiming kid we had the option of going with a senior jockey but we stuck with him and he deserves it.”
“A Man To Match got a good freshen up off Eagle Farm three weeks ago and this was the last year he could run in this race it’s all come together.”
Purchased by Peachester Lodge for $300,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, A Man To Match advances his record to 4 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds from 21 starts with earnings of over $560,000.
He is the second foal of the Sydney winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Pregrada who is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-winner Zagreb and the stakes-placed Flying Dansino out of the stakes-winning Danehill mare Dansino who is a three-quarter sister to Group II Sandown Guineas winner Moon Dragon.
Pregrada has an unnamed 2yo colt by Lonhro. She was sent to NZ in 2017 and died the following year.
