Gold Classic Gets it Inch Perfect to Take Pallarenda Stakes

Racing and real estate pumps through the veins of Townsville racing diehards Graham and Shelly Lynham.

The well-known Townsville realtors, have bred and raced numerous horses over the years but may well have unearthed their best yet in the handsome filly Gold Classic.

In a thrilling drive to the line, Gold Classic delivered the couple their biggest success on the track when she claimed Saturday’s Pallarenda Stakes (1000m) at Cluden Park under the careful guidance of Cairns trainer Scott Cooper.

Gold Classic, with Michael Murphy in the saddle, gripped on to win the feature by a short-half head from Tarong with favourite Satisfied Mugs ¾ length away third.

“It’s a good change of luck and a great thrill. This is our first starter in the race and we’ve lucky enough to win it,” Shelly said. “Scott has done a terrific job with her. That Atherton trial was her first jump out on the grass, today was her second. “

“We’ve had quite a few horses over the years. Goldie Girl was probably the best but her career was cut short – bit of a tragedy really – but this one could be better,” Graham said.

“Shelly and I love our horses, We met at the trots in 1983 would you believe. Shelly was strapping for Col Schmidt and Micky Piper at the time.

“That’s when I asked her out. We got married in 1986. My dad had the first trotting licence in Townsville, that’s how far back our involvement” goes.”

Standing quietly at the side at the race presentations was highly respected horseman, Leon Morton, who played a strong background role in Saturday’s win.

Morton, a former trainer and highly successful trader of young horses, advised the Lynhams and partner Don Scheffler to buy the filly at the 2023 MM QTIS sale.

Graham Lynham said Morton’s knowledge and advice on yearlings was invaluable.

“Leon knows so much about them. He was very successful buying young horses for a long time - getting them ready and selling them to Hong Kong.

“We met him a number of years ago and he said you need to go to the sales to get a good horse. I organised to take him to the Magic Millions QTIS sale and he started picking horses for us.

“This is number 5. He’s very well respected and a great judge. He’ll look at 80 or 100 and shortlist them for us and this filly really stood out.”

Morton, who has retired in the Far North, is pleased to keep his hand in.

“I’m just happy to help out. It’s great to see them win races like these after picking them out when they’re babies.”

Gold Classic, by Invader out of a Magic Albert mare Alberta, was a $22,000 purchase, and picked up $32,550 with her Pallarenda win.

For trainer Scott Cooper, an ex-jockey who is based in Cairns, the Pallarenda was his first feature win in Townsville.

Originally from Victoria, Cooper in his young days rode work on turf greats Courtza and Redoubt’s Choice in Melbourne before heading north. 

“That’d have to be my best win here,” he said.

“To win the first 2yo race of the season is a big thing, everyone with these babies wants to win it. I’ve only ever had one or two two-year-old starters and they’ve almost been three by the time they raced.

“She’ll probably come back for a 2yo open hcp here in about three weeks’ time if she pulls up good and then we’ll send her for a spell.”

“She’s never been put under that sort of pressure before, she’s been doing things so easily. At Atherton she was never let off the bridle, although they didn’t run much time. 

“I think she’ll eventually be a 1400m horse

“She’s big and strong and I think she’s got a little bit of growing to do yet.”