Source: Justhorseracing, by Graham Potter
The Chris Waller / Jim Byrne combination made to a race to race double when Guise took the honours in the third race at Doomben, a BM85 Handicap over 1600m.
The team had struck one race earlier with Humbolt Current and Guise ($3) followed a similar path in the running. Again, Byrne had the Waller trained runner in the second half of the field early and Guise was still third last, with some four lengths to make up as the field came into the home straight.
Guise was inconvenienced for a number of strides early in the straight by Barefoot wanting to get out, but Byrne had wound up his mount, who not only refused to shift ground under that intimidation, but also soon found another gear.
By the 150m Guise was in full stride and the daughter of So You Think went on to win going away by 0.80 lengths after Byrne had tracked a winning path down the centre of the track.
This was Guise’s seventh career win from thirty starts. Four of those wins have come from only eight starts in Queensland, this latest result franking her liking for the Sunshine State.
“It didn’t read like it was going to be a fast run race and, strangely enough, one of the horses I had as being on speed was back with me and I was following him,” said Byrne.
“I was pretty confident coming around the turn, but then one came from her inside and gave her a few decent bumps. She was trying to let it happen, so I just got a little aggressive with her and thought, no we are not going anywhere … we are staying right here on this pad.
“I think those few bumps actually switched her on. Either way, it all worked out well in the end.”
