Tough Luck has returned to the winners' circle in red hot form on his home track in the Gary Crick Auto Group QTIS 600 2YO Plate 1200m on Sunday, January 17.
Sunshine Coast Turf Club played host to the second instalment of the rich QTIS 600 race series and offered a $150,000 carrot, which attracted a crack field of eligible two-year-olds.
After her disappointment in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic the week before, trainer Robert Bradshaw aimed Tough Luck at the feature race with redemption in mind.
“In the Magic Millions I didn’t think she could win, but I thought she could run a place,” he said. “She got too far back and covered more ground than the early explorers.
“I said to (Byrne on Sunday) be aggressive and outside the leader and dictate the race.”
The consistent filly, by Zaha (CAN) out of Gudwill, has amassed $224,250, including $28,000 in bonuses, from only seven starts for owners Leigh and Leith Wanless, helped by the $96,000 cheque pocketed from the most recent event of the QTIS 600 race series.
After being purchased for $9000, the remarkable return on investment for connections has been achieved from four wins and a second on a well-travelled schedule, ranging from Mackay to the Gold Coast, since October last year.
The journey to Mackay was her first assault on the QTIS 600 race series, which resulted in a respectable second to boom Rockhampton two-year-old Mundi Gully.
Tough Luck is relishing in Bradshaw’s care, noted by her ability to back-up week after week with little sign of discomfort.
“She could have another five or six starts,” he said. “I’ve been somewhat renowned for backing horses up. It probably comes with my trotting experience and background.
“We’ll just chase whatever QTIS 600 money is available. You can’t knock the scheme. She was a cheap buy and she’s won nearly quarter of a million now.
“After this you could probably put her away (for the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival) in one of those fillies’ races. But at the moment, all the owner wants to do is get as much QTIS money as we can.
“Next year might be a bit harder. We may have just come across a good one. She’s good on the Cushion (Track) and good on the grass; it’s all the same to her.”
Jim Byrne rode hard from a wide barrier in the field of 14 to have Tough Luck sit on the shoulder of pacesetter Queen of Happiness (Mandy Radecker) from the outset.
After a gifted run with little pressure, Tough Luck hit the furlong mark and was asked to go for broke by Byrne.
The filly responded with a nice kick, but was aided by her challengers looking around to see who would make the first attack. It was left all too late as Tough Luck had bolted with Funky Lady trailing through to finish second.
Bradshaw was much happier with proceedings in the QTIS 600 race. “The run was good. Jimmy (Byrne) was very positive and aggressive early,” he said.
“Once she got to the half mile and she had her ears pricked, I thought this will be pretty easy from here as long the run the week before didn’t hurt her. Once she strolled to the lead it was all over.”
