Flash Aah lands upset victory in the Ipswich Cup to end a 1000-day winning drought
Toowoomba trainer Troy Pascoe declared well-travelled gelding Flash Aah had 'found his home' after the $31 roughie pulled off a shock victory in the $250,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on Saturday.
The near 10-year-old has been through a total of eight different trainers over a journey of 48 races for nine wins at racetracks as far north as Cairns to Cranbourne in Victoria.
Flash Aah began his career as a sprinter in November 2018 before gradually stepping up in distance, being shifted through various trainers before finally landing at Pascoe's stables at the end of 2023.
He broke a 1000-day winning drought in the Ipswich Cup, with his previous triumph coming at Bendigo in April 2022 when trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
'I wasn't counting, I knew that every day was closer to his next win,' Pascoe said.
'He's been all over Australia but he's in the right hands now.
'He's found his home. He loves life with us and we love him.
'He's like a big dog, like a big pet. He follows you around and he's just so relaxed.
'You get him out and he's looking at the butterflies and the rainbows.
'He just doesn't give a sh**. He's a beautiful animal.'
The Tony Gollan-trained Felix The Scat ($14) looked to have the race sewn up before Flash Aah made a late charge to steal victory, with Raf Attack ($10) in third.
Flash Aah was steered by veteran jockey Ron Stewart, who for a time worked in his family's butcher shop after returning to Australia from a successful riding stint in Singapore.
'He's been terribly unlucky,' Pascoe said about Flash Aah.
'Every start they've just walked and made it impossible for him to run home.
'I never lost faith in him. I kept saying that this was the race I wanted to get him in. I absolutely thought he could win it.
⚡� Flash Aah lives up to his name and flashes home to take the TAB Ipswich Cup! � @IpswichTurfClub pic.twitter.com/MueblBazNK
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025
'I was blown away at the price, I couldn't believe it.
'My staff have done an amazing job. He ran third in this race four years ago and to come back as a nine, rising 10-year-old, they should take a bow.'
Stewart said that from barrier four he followed Diabolo Bolt, ridden by Irish jockey Robbie Dolan, in the run.
'In all fairness to Robbie, he got held up around the corner,' Stewart said.
'It really unfolded nicely for us. He had plenty of room and just kept building in his gears.
'I thought I was going to get there comfortably but he had a look around but he got the job done.
'It was a really good training performance. The horse had time off, there is a story behind it and it is nice to get on him.'
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