The John O’Shea / Tom Charlton stable endured a shattering day at Rosehill on Saturday, but they regrouped on Sunday at Wyong to win with the full brother to Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker and Strongside was ridden by Dylan Gibbons.
Gibbons was riding the promising O’Shea / Charlton trained three year-old Tyreek, who fell in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes at Rosehill and was later euthanised.
Gibbons emerged relatively unscathed from the tragic incident and deemed himself well enough to travel to Wyong to take the ride on Strongside, who was having his second start in the 1600m maiden.
The Super Seth gelding relished the step up in trip to win by a head over the hot favourite Golden Century, who placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby last season.
Wyong Race Club interviewed Gibbons after the win.
Strongside was an $80,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft and is the third winner from Garden of Swans (GB), an unraced half-sister by Oasis Dream to Group I winner Mukhadram.
The O'Shea Charlton stable have a great record with his sire Super Seth preparing not only Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker, but also Queensland Derby winner Maison Louis.
