After more than a year without success, Cigar Flick produced a brilliant late surge to capture the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m) at Randwick, ending a 13-month winless streak. The mare, who had last scored at Eagle Farm in June of the previous year, thrived under a solid race tempo and finished powerfully down the outside to secure victory.
Trainer Chris Waller admitted that Cigar Flick can be unpredictable but said she is a beloved member of his stable. “She is going well but she has reached her level so it’s not easy to win,” Waller explained. “She needs everything to flow. She needs to come into the race at the right time, the right track conditions and today it was in her favour. She is a lovely horse. Beautiful. She won’t have too much more racing. Her mum is a sister to Fangirl so she is well bred and she will go to stud this year.”
Waller indicated that there could still be one more win for Cigar Flick before she retires to breeding duties. “We will see what else we can find. This type of distance and these type of conditions and she can win another one of them,” he said.
Guided patiently by jockey Tommy Berry, Cigar Flick ($13) settled towards the rear before storming home to defeat World Alliance ($11) by 1-1/4 lengths, with Bundeena ($8) finishing another half-length away in third place.
Waller reflected on a highly successful season, noting that preparations are already underway for the new term. “It has been a good season and we’re already warmed up and ready to go for the new season,” he said. “Most of the star horses have had their first trial, with some having their second trials on Tuesday and the bigger names set to trial again two weeks after that. We’ve just got to work out where they all head and try to split them up as best we can.”
It was also the final Sydney starter for James Cummings as head trainer for Godolphin, with Tarpaulin, the $3.60 betting favourite, unable to deliver after weakening late to finish second last. Despite that, Cummings celebrated a double at Kembla Grange with Cinsault and Tong Ho, while Kin ran second in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.
