Well-backed Warrior scores in Quinze’s colours Aussie Warrior (morning 20/1, returned 11/2) landed a gamble to win Tramore’s Curraghmore Beginners Chase today, scoring for trainer Tom Hughes with Philip Enright riding in the colours of 1999 Galway Hurdle-winner Quinze. The six-year-old gave trainer Hughes a breakthrough first success at Roscommon in June 2023 and today the pair bridged a near two-year gap between wins. Despite being beaten 52 lengths in a hurdle outing last month, keen-going Aussie Warrior today jumped well on his chase debut when scoring by 1.75 lengths from Penalty Try. Trainer Hughes led-up the winner and afterwards his father Pat Hughes, who trained 16-time winner Quinze for the Byrne family, reported “Aussie Warrior was mad free as a four-year-old and after winning his race at Roscommon, the jockey couldn't pull him up so they went all the way to the bottom of the back straight. “He won racing from the front at Roscommon, but he's not like that anymore and doesn't need to lead. He had a long break last winter and came back stronger. That win was when he was a four-year-old and last year he finished second twice but we ran him in a few races close together. “I'd say it knocked too much out of him and you probably won't see him again now for another 40 days or so." Quotes from Donal Murphy
