Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Written by Jackson Frantz
Lillemor (Hallowed Crown) dug deep over the concluding stages to hold out former stablemate Intrepidacious (Shooting To Win) by 0.1l in a thrilling edition of the Listed Ipswich Turf Club Gai Waterhouse Classic.
The John O’Shea-trained mare who entered Saturday’s race on the back of a strong BM78 victory at Randwick was the beneficiary of a well-timed ride by in-form hoop Ben Thompson, and in turn, secured her maiden stakes success at start number 17.
The 4-year-old boasted a record of 11 top-three finishes from 16 career starts before Saturday’s event and was able to overcome a wide run in transit to remain unbeaten this preparation.
Her victory gifted Thompson a race-to-race stakes double and denied Champion trainer Lee Freedman a fairytale victory with his first runner on Australian soil since July 2011.
Gold Coast-based horsewoman Angela Plumb had been entrusted with Lillemor in the lead-up to Saturday’s race and was delighted by the hard-fought performance.
“The John O’Shea stable sent her up to me in excellent order on Thursday and she’s been such an easy horse to have around our stable,” Plumb told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"The John O’Shea stable sent her (Lillemor) up to me in excellent order on Thursday and she’s been such an easy horse to have around our stable." - Angela Plumb
“So, big thanks to John for letting us look after his horse for him.”
Bred and retained by Stanley Johnson’s Twin Palms Stud, Lillemor is the final foal out of trainer New Zealand-based Graeme Rogerson’s 2003 G1 Golden Slipper S. heroine Polar Success (Success Express {USA}), making her a half-sister to dual Group 3 runner-up and fellow Twin Palms Stud alumni Lockroy (More Than Ready {USA}).
Polar Success herself is a half-sister to the dam of G2 Queensland Guineas winner Sambro (Fastnet Rock) and Listed placegetter Parfumier (Belong To Me {USA}).
