Gosford Cup day on Sunday saw the Koolman team back in the winner’s circle again, this time with Seymour’s Honour in the B & J INTERIORS MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1600m.

The excitement and delight of the owners of Seymour's Honour following her maiden victory wasn’t missed by anyone with Greg Radley on 2KY making a mention of it on the Racing Radio Show on Monday morning.

After a slow start to her career, when unplaced in her first two outings, beaten a combined distance of 25 lengths, her owners remained faithful to Seymour’s Honour, agreeing to spell her for a three month period, giving her the opportunity to strengthen and develop.

Their patience has been rewarded in her three starts to date this preparation with two seconds prior to today's win.

Scheduled to run at Goulburn last Monday, Seymour's Honour was unable to participate because of muscle soreness with trainer Oliver Koolman electing to run her on Sunday to give her time to recover.

This decision appeared to be the wrong course of action for a time, as finding a jockey was proving difficult, following first choice Larry Cassidy's commitment to the Gai Waterhouse trained runner Bye Bye Bella and then Rodney Quinn arriving on track too heavy to take the ride at 53kgs.

The hunt was then on for a replacement and a suitable one was found in the in-form Jay Ford.

Ford rode a copy-book race from barrier 6  of 12, settling the filly midfield on the fence throughout most of the run.

Tactfully avoiding traffic when the pressure was applied at the 600m mark, he sat two lengths off the leader on straightening before peeling out and getting up by a head.

Seymour's Honour was selected as a yearling by Anton Koolman who was attracted to the daughter of Victory Note with her staying pedigree highlighted by the presence of classy New Zealand mare Chatty Hawk who won nine races from 1400m to 2300m including the Listed Manawatu.  

With the intention of stepping her up in distance, a decision as to where and when will be made depending on how Seymour's Honour comes through this run, and also on the availability of suitable races.

Courtesy of Jo Adams and www.virtualformguide.com