Another golden moment for O’Loughlin

Young Albany trainer Liam O’Loughlin has continued his incredible run of success in Albany’s fillies and mares feature race after lightly raced mare Prix D’Excellence triumphed in Sunday’s $35,000 Pelicans Albany Golden Bracelet (1600m).

O’Loughlin won the feature race last season with Elite Flight and played a prominent part in the same horse winning the Bracelet back in 2015 when trained by Steve Wolfe.

In his fifth start for O’Loughlin, Prix D’Excellence ($11 chance) jumped well from barrier five to find the lead for jockey Lucas Camilleri and from there they were never headed.

The Magnus mare skipped clear at the top of the home straight and powered to the line to score a popular win, downing Amaliemoo by 1 ½ lengths, with $2.30 favourite Black Freda beaten more than three lengths back in fifth.

Despite only once placing in his four previous starts for O’Loughlin, he never lost faith in his ambition for another Bracelet victory.

“At the beginning of this preparation, this was the aim,” the 26-year-old said.

“I just kept persisting.

“There was no pace in it today.

“I knew the mile suits her and she could just bowl along.

“I think she is a preparation away from showing her best but I’ll give her one or two more and then bring her back next year.”

An emotional O’Loughlin thanked his wife Katie along with Stephen Sheehy and Michael McGlade for their help in getting the four-year-old mare to where she is.