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THE decision to bring Brad Rawiller to Balaklava and reunite with Ironclad paid dividends for the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea stable who claimed a second successive Balaklava Cup on Wednesday.
It was the suggestion of stable rider Todd Pannell that Brad Rawiller ride the horse having combined for a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes at Ascot in Perth over the summer.
"He's come back, had a couple of runs, in fairness to Todd Pannell, he has it in his head that the horse doesn't go for him, so he said to get Brad to come over and ride him, that's what a team is about,'' Will Clarken said.
Ironclad was ridden forward from a good gate to hold the lead on a track favouring the leaders, Rawiller pinching a breather half way through before the pair pulled out plenty to hold off a fast finishing Jack The Lad.
"He's just a terrific horse,'' Clarken said.
"When he goes bad, he goes legless.
"Brad rode him beautifully, that's the way these track patterns play, we drew the right gate, got the right run and we've won the race,'' he said.
Rawiller said knowing how well the horse races against the likes of star mare Amelia's Jewel in Perth gave him plenty of confidence the horse could give him a second Balaklava Cup after combining to win with Bagman back in 2012.
"Gee his couple of runs for me in Perth, you just knew if he bought that form here he'd be winning,'' Rawiller said.
"He had to work to hold the lead, he got a nice cheap section mid run and I knew they'd be just as tired chasing him,'' he said.
Despite the win Clarken said there were no grand plans with imported galloper.
"Whatever comes now is a bonus,'' Clarken said.
"Lets just see what happens.
"He outrun his ability in Perth and he has to carry that weight for the rest of his life,'' he said.
Balaklava Cup Day also produced a moment to remember for apprentice Harri Ingram riding his first winner in the final race of the day aboard Mccain for boss Michael Hickmott.
It's been a slow burn for Ingram who made his riding debut back in April, his win on McCain coming at just his ninth race ride.
"It's been a long time coming," Ingram said.
"A lot of people helped me along the way.
"I hit a patch where I wasn't that keen on it anymore, a lot of people got behind me. A big thanks to Michael (Hickmott), Benny (Price), Toddy (Pannell) and Lachie Neindorf are all big reasons why I am here today so a big thankyou to them,'' he said.
Hickmott said it was a terrific reward and a moment to remember.
"I'm so proud of this kid,'' Hickmott said.
"He's been with us for a little while now, he's an extremely skilled horseman
"He lives and breathes racing, that's all he wants to do.
"I'm so proud,'' he said.
