Those who support racing in Southern NSW know how tough this Ad Valorem gelding is especially after taking out the Mountaineer Cup over the 3200m at Wagga in November 2018. After a well-earned break he has returned in fantastic order and was given the chance to race in a hot field of stayers in the Defence Force Cup (2000m) at Queanbeyan. With this experience Brendan Ward in the saddle the evergreen 7YO settled mid field before being set alight at the 750m catching the field off guard and sitting outside the leader. He would need every ounce of stamina as the local stayer Bart loomed large to challenge and they set off in a two-horse war swinging for home. In a true test of endurance IRENIC’s class shone through and over the last 100m he was able to break the hearts of the pack and kick away for a memorable win.