Triskele back from brink

THE Les Kelly-trained Triskele, close to being retired just a few weeks ago, underlined his return to form by completing back-to-back wins at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Ridden by Tony Pattillo, Triskele ($5) drew away for a comfortable win in the Bundaberg Five Top Shelf Sessions Benchmark 75 Hcp (1200m). At his previous start on March 28, Triskele won his first race in 18 months when he scored at $17 in a Class 3 Hcp at Doomben.
The six-year-old is raced by breeder Steve Kirkham and his family, including son Ben who revealed today that Triskele had probably been on his last chance prior to his Doomben return to form.
“We wondered about retiring him last year as he had a few minor problems, but decided instead to give him a lengthy spell to let him get over those troubles and give him another campaign,’’ said Ben Kirkham.
“But he didn’t really show that much in his first three runs since returning this year and he may have been retired for good if he hadn’t turned things around at Doomben last time.
“And now he’s backed that up by winning again, so hopefully he’s getting back to the sort of promise he showed as a younger horse.’’
A two-time winner in Victoria in 2009, Triskele has now won five of his 25 starts.
Pattillo always had Triskele in a forward position today and the six-year-old drew away to beat Ruapehu Boy ($4.60) by 1-1/4 lengths with three-quarters of length to third-placed Peaceful Belle ($16).
Triskele completed winning doubles for Pattillo and the Kelly stable. Pattillo also scored aboard Colour Me Grand for trainer Matt Dunn while Kelly saddled-up earlier winner Show Me An Ace.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd