Aghamore finds Brisbane class to liking

Saturday 14 February 2015, 6:45pm

Newcastle trainer Todd Howlett's plan to dodge better-class horses in Sydney paid off when his galloper Aghamore led all the way to win at Doomben on Saturday.

Aghamore ($8) continued the great run for NSW horses in Brisbane when he won the Gallopers $1 Membership Handicap (1350m).

Howlett said Aghamore had been racing well but he thought the gelding might struggle against early autumn carnival horses in Sydney.

"It isn't easy to win a race in Brisbane and I have failed a few times here. But it is slightly easier than Sydney and we might stay on for another one of these later this month," Howlett, who has 30 horses in work, said.

Jockey Tim Bell was able to get an easy lead on Aghamore and then dashed home the final 600m in a blistering 33.37secs.

Former star New Zealand apprentice Alysha Collett won her first Brisbane metropolitan race with a well-judged ride on Caellum ($6.50) in the Hamilton Hotel Handicap.

Collett, 20, the younger sister of top Sydney jockey Jason Collett is on loan to Eagle Farm trainer Brian Smith.

Smith said Collett should be in demand as she had ridden 120 winners and still claimed 2kg.

Three-year-old Upstart Pride ($8) ended his city drought when he won the Garrards Horse and Hound Handicap.

Trainer Michael Nolan said he gave jockey Ric McMahon only one instruction and it was to lead.

"When we drew out wide we decided we would lead no matter what. It was the second time he carried blinkers and it really switched him on," Nolan said.

"Upstart Pride has always had ability but a lot of things went wrong in his first campaign but this time he is a much more relaxed horse on the track."

– AAP

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