Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Robbie Dolan has Eye in at Ipswich

Robbie Dolan produced a superb ride aboard Oughton to take out the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich, delivering a career highlight to trainer Melissa Kelly.

It was Kelly’s second black-type success after Oughton’s earlier win in the Recognition Stakes. For Dolan, who famously claimed the 2024 Melbourne Cup, the win was special for what it meant to the smaller stable.

“It’s good for those sort of trainers. It means a lot to them. It’s their Melbourne Cup,” Dolan said.

“It’s a pretty good win for him. He has had lots of problems over the years, come back from Hong Kong.

“It didn’t go to plan in the race. I ended up down on the rail but I could see (favourite) Warnie two (lengths) in front of me and I just had my eyes set on him.

“Once I got him to the outside, albeit he wanted to lay in, he found the line well.”

Oughton had signalled he was nearing a peak performance with his effort in the Moreton Cup (1200m), finishing fifth. Dolan had expressed confidence in the gelding even before the race.

“I had a bit of faith with this horse,” he said. “If you see my comment after I rode him last start, I said he could come to this race and be a good chance.”

Formerly trained in Sydney and briefly campaigned in Hong Kong, Oughton found a new lease on life under Kelly’s guidance. After his success in the Recognition Stakes, the gelding was set for a targeted Brisbane carnival tilt.

“We thought we’d put him away and see what he could do over the winter,” Kelly said.

“He gets a little bit cocky. He knows when he’s won. He knows when he has run a good race.

“He was a little bit soft because he’d gone a month between runs last time and just knocked up. I knew today he was going in a lot fitter.”

Oughton ($8) finished a half-length ahead of Sha Of Gomer ($20), with Fortunate Kiss ($19) in third. Favourite Warnie ($2.45) was hemmed in during the run and failed to threaten late.

Also on the Ipswich program, seasoned galloper Flash Aah ($31) ended a long winless drought by claiming the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m), giving trainer Troy Pascoe a well-earned celebration after a string of near misses.

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