3 minute read

Illustrious Lad wins City Of Marion Stakes Listed $100,000 at Morphettville (SA), 1200m.

After two years and thirteen starts, former Group 2 winner Illustrious Lad  returned to the winner’s circle with a hardy effort here. He settled fourth (rails) soon after the start and had cover there all the way to the home straight.

Full of running he just need space which opened at the 300m then closed but opened again at the 150m where jockey Anthony Darmanin drove him through, levelled up at the 50m and held on narrowly but well for win ten (fourth stakes) and earnings in excess of $800,000.

Nariko  sat fifth, three wide at the 600m, moved up to make a line of three at the top of the straight, took over at the 200m but was caught at the 50m then fought hard to the line. Platinum Angel  tracked the winner (rails) into the straight but never got a run, flashing into third on the heels of the winner very late.

There was a good line up for fourth with Karlovasi  coming back hard when appearing to fade at the 100m.