Firm Agreement returned to the winner’s stall in emphatic fashion at Ipswich last week, producing a dominant performance to claim The Great Northern Plate over 2180 metres.
After a spectacular three-year-old season highlighted by outstanding placings in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000 metres and the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby over 2400 metres, Firm Agreement had found it difficult to recapture that same level of form since stepping into open-age competition.
Triple Crown’s Sam Manion identified The Great Northern Plate as the ideal race to help the talented four-year-old rediscover his winning ways, and the plan worked to perfection.
With Queensland’s leading jockey Ryan Maloney in the saddle, Firm Agreement turned the race into a one-act affair.
Jumping cleanly from the barriers, Maloney allowed Firm Agreement to take up a prominent position just behind the leaders throughout the run. Travelling comfortably as the field approached the home turn, he cruised into contention before effortlessly moving past the leaders early in the straight.
Firm Agreement continued to extend his advantage without being asked for a serious effort, recording a dominant 1.66-length victory over Benzino, with nearly seven lengths back to the third-placed horse.
“It was an easy watch” said Triple Crown’s Chris Ward. “It was the perfect race for him and kudos to Sam for finding it when race-programming. Everything lined up beautifully to get him another win – company, distance, barrier, weight and jockey but he still needed to execute and he certainly did that. It was an effortless win in the end and gave his owners a huge thrill.”
The authority of the performance was particularly encouraging and should provide Firm Agreement with a valuable confidence boost as he continues through his preparation.
Selected and purchased by Triple Crown for $140,000 from the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Firm Agreement has now earned $820,300 in career prizemoney.
Congratulations to trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, jockey Ryan Maloney and his owners: Triple Crown Syndications, K and AJB Racing, Mr G B Clark, Mr J C Williams, Ms J H Gibson, Ms N Ghazaleh, Mr R G Whalley, Mr M Young, Mr P J Keys, Mr B M Fallon, Tornbos Holdings Pty Ltd, Mr B Elliott, Mr A G Smith, Mr P J Reimann, Mr P A Bennett and Mr D Goodwin.