Stradbroke win proves difference for trainers’ in award race

Toby Edmonds has capped another standout season by winning the Magic Millions Wayne Wilson Medal at the Queensland Trainers Association awards on Thursday night.

Edmonds polled 138 votes to edge Robert Heathcote (133), with Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy third, after Spicy Martini’s Stradbroke Handicap victory proved decisive.

Edmonds again credited his farrier for a key role in the mare’s success and praised his team for identifying Spicy Martini when she was offered online.

Emerald trainer Glenda Bell was presented with the Pat Duff Trophy for her decades of contribution to Queensland racing.

Todd Pollard was named Rising Star after a breakthrough first season that included a metropolitan winner at his first attempt and two stakes winners in June.

The award will now be known as the Tony Gollan Trophy, while Pollard was also named the Wayne Wilson Medal nominee for August after Midnight in Tokyo won the G3 Show County Quality.

Gollan received an outstanding achievement award after claiming his 13th consecutive Queensland Trainers’ Premiership and passing 200 winners for the season, with Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive Stephen Bell travelling from Melbourne to make the presentation.