ALL THE ACTION FROM DOOMBEN

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, September 17.

Race 1:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Liam Birchley trained Chelle’s Alibi got the better of a protracted battle with the well supported Latrobe to get up in the very last stride.

That last lunge by Chelle’s Alibi ensured that there would not be any protest, which had looked a possibility as Latrobe shifted ground under pressure over the final 100m and carried the winner out.

It was to young apprentice jockey Chris McIver’s credit that he shrugged off that intimidation, stuck to his job and battled away to get past the mount of Scott Seamer, who seldom is beaten in such a finish.

This was McIver’s first winner (in his third meeting) since returning to race riding after a self imposed five month period of exile.

“I just lost interest,” said McIver, explaining his absence. “Also, there were some things going on in Rocky that I didn’t like so I just backed out.

“There was a steward in Rocky who said he’d help me if I wanted to come back. He said I should give him a call.

“He sorted things out for me to move down here and I was placed with Liam Birchley,” continued McIver. “I’d ridden for him once or twice before and it’s a very nice stable to work for. I’m very happy I made the move.”

Birchley is pleased to have McIver as part of his operation.

“Yeah, he settled in real good. He’s working hard,” offered Birchley.

Birchley now has two apprentices – McIver and Mitchell Speers - working in his yard.

“Mitch broke his leg ... I think he’s due back this weekend,” said Birchley. “He s only has a provincial license though (as opposed to McIver’s city license), so they won’t get in each other’s way too much,” concluded Birchley.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
When the pace commenced to slow leaving the 1100m, Brom Italia (K. Wharton) shifted out after improving on to the heels of Resurrected. As a result of the slow pace near the 1000m, Boy’s Night Out (B. Payne) commenced to race ungenerously and when being steadied away from the heels of Resurrected, Zibo (S. Cormack), which was following, was obliged to shift in abruptly to avoid the heels of Boy’s Night Out. In this incident, Umhlanga Rocks was also inconvenienced. Near the 700m, Boy’s Night Out (B. Payne) continued to race ungenerously and again had to be eased away from the heels of Resurrected. After leaving the 100m, Latrobe commenced to shift ground abruptly under pressure and on 2 occasions in the run to the finish made contact with Chelle’s Alibi. Latrobe (S. Seamer) was obliged to race wide for the entire race.


Race 2:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
A first-timer by Rodoute’s Choice out of a Zeditave mare starting at odds of $29,20 on the tote! It must have seemed like Christmas had come early for those who chanced their arm.

The horse in question was the Kelly Schweida trained Bonne Affaire.

“She was a relatively inexpensive purchase at $50 000,” offered owner Kevin Dixon. “I basically bought her for her residual value. She’s worth three times that amount as a broodmare alone, irrespective of anything she does on the track ... so it was a bit of an each way bet if you like.

“She did have problems with a stifle as a younger horse,” continued Dixon. “We gave her the time she needed and she overcame that problem, so it was time to give her a go on the track.

“I did expect a bold showing. Winning is always a bonus, but I did think she would go well.”

Jockey Matthew Palmer’s report back gave even more reason for encouragement.

“We were a bit closer to the speed than anticipated,” said Palmer, “but that was because she jumped well and that was where we ended up and I as happy there.

“She took it up in the straight ... hit the line well. She didn’t do a thing wrong. She won like she’d gone around one hundred times before.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Leaving the 900m, Starsplash (C. Whiteley) commenced to pull hard and over-raced at the heels of Out Ojay (L. Rolls) and made the first turn awkwardly. Passing the 800m when the pace slowed, Star Of Ombra (J. Holder) commenced to race ungenerously and was inclined to lay out. Near the 700m, when racing ungenerously, Star Of Ombra shifted out and made heavy contact with March Rose (J. Byrne) on at least 2 occasions. Starsplash was inclined to lay in rounding the home turn. Star Of Ombra (J. Holder) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Showlisa (B. Pengelly) had difficulty obtaining clear running after leaving the 350m until near the 200m. Lucky Toss (E. Wilkinson) could not obtain clear running at any stage in the straight. Belfern (A. Taylor) and Our Ojay (L. Rolls) was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event.


Race 3:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Darryl Golan trained Tightrope pressed forward from the jump to gain a prominent position.

The colt led early before allowing Smoking Epic to take up the running as jockey Ron Goltz settled Tightrope into a perfect trail of the leader.

The duo were content to hold that position until the top of the straight, at which time Goltz wasted little time in setting Tightrope about his business.

In a matter of strides Tightrope had easily dismissed the tiring frontrunner and he continued on to power away from the opposition in the early part of the straight.

He opened up a winning lead which translated into a comfortable 2,30 length victory at the line.

“The horse that beat him last time (Judge Me Not) is a pretty good horse,” pointed out Goltz. “He held his form with that run. He had a good passage throughout and he hit the line strong. Good win.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
When the pace slowed leaving the 900m, Saffir Simpson (B. Payne) raced ungenerously and shifted out off the heels of Mr Orient (A. Pattillo) and made contact with Impeding (Matthew Palmer), which commenced to over-race and shifted out off the heels of Mr Orient (A. Pattillo), forcing Impeding wider. Rocking Rooney got its head up and over-raced rounding the first turn. Leaving the 800m, Saffir Simpson, which continued to race ungenerously, shifted out, forcing Impeding (Matthew Palmer) out on to Warrior Within (B. Pengelly), which clipped heels and blundered near the 750m. Biancool (J. Byrne) was inclined to over-race in the middle stages and near the 700m clipped the heels of Faunius (P. Hammersley). Biancool (J. Byrne) was unable to secure clear running until inside the 200m. Iddi (A. Spinks) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight.


Race 4:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
La Marianne continued her good work for the Alan Jones stable when she produced a determined finishing effort under a hard ride from jockey Jason Taylor to win for the third time in her last five starts.

“When Falzig wanted to go I dropped back a bit because I didn’t want to get involved in a speed battle,” said Taylor. But then she did take a bit of winding up when I did ask her to go after them.

“I just chipped away, chipped away and we finally got there in the end,” continued Taylor.

“She’s just crying out for 2200m, for 2400m ... who knows how far ... the Melbourne Cup,” said Taylor with a smile.

La Marianne’s previous win was in a Class 1 event and she clearly handled the jump in class to a Class 5 contest with the aplomb of a runner who has more to come.

The fact that La Marianne is a full sister to Queensland Derby winner De Gaulle Lane adds a further positive to her profile.

This win provided Taylor with the first leg of a riding double on the day.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Under Construction (D. Griffin) over-raced rounding the first turn and had to be steadied off the heels of Master Hugh (L. Rolls). Falzig (J. Holder) was caught 3 wide rounding the first turn before assuming a position outside the leader at the 1100m. Near the 500m, Murphy’s Creek (A. Pattillo) improved on to the heels of Under Construction and became awkward. Leaving the 300m, A. Pattillo attempted to place Murphy’s Creek into a narrow run between Greenfinder (J. Byrne) and La Marianne (J. Taylor), however he became held up when La Marianne shifted out slightly. J. Holder, rider of the 4th placegetter, Falzig, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the finish line.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Master Hugh, trainer's representative Mrs Thompson indicated that whilst the horse was having only its second start over a mile, she was of the opinion that Master Hugh may find the distance too far. She added the horse may be better suited in races up to 1400m. Apprentice L. Rolls agreed with Mrs Thompson's summation and added the gelding when placed under pressure from the 600m failed to respond and did not finish off the race as expected. Mrs Thompson advised that connections would now consider bringing the gelding back in distance. A post-race veterinary examination of Master Hugh failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 5:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Conquering Spirit made a winning return to action for trainer Gillian Heinrich, showing plenty of muscle when shrugging off a host of challengers inside the final 200m and then doing enough to thwart the late charge of the fast finishing Slugsbrothernugget.

As she explained on Saturday, when Ghetto Blaster returned in similar circumstances, Heinrich turned all of her horse out for a lengthy spell after being unhappy with their performances when they originally resumed after EI.

“I was devastated when they started running after EI and performed so poorly,” said Heinrich. “I thought, ‘hello, what’s going on here, something’s not right’ ... and I bled them all and put them out.

“When you do that you do worry about them until they comeback and show you they are fine, but it was the only way I was going to do it. I wasn’t going to take any chances with them.”

The blinkers came off Conquering Spirit for his return. Why the change of gear?

“He’s been wanting to pull quite a bit. I trialed him without blinkers and he went really well so I decided to take that option,” answered Heinrich.

For jockey Scott Seamer, the win only cemented his impression of the Heinrich trained runners.

“He’s a nice horse,” said Seamer, “but then not many of Gillian’s runners are not nice horses.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
King Dod (J. Taylor) cast its off front plate on jumping away. Beach Cookie and Costa Smeralda (C. McIver) were inclined to over-race rounding the first turn. Costa Smeralda was disappointed for a run for some distance between the 300m and 200m between Mr Montgomery (L. Rolls) and Fiamore. Final Opinion (A. Spinks) and Fiamore (B. Pengelly) raced wide throughout.


Race 6:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Ginkgo Gold, who broke a long standing track record at the Sunshine Coast in her first start for trainer Kelly Doughty last time out, underlined her improved level of performance by completing back to back wins in fine style.

Ginkgo Gold’s last success was achieved with front-running tactics. This time she made her move from the box seat.

“It’s nice to know she can do it both ways,” said jockey Chris Whiteley.

“I thought I would lead, but I was surprised by the speed of Helen Page’s horse (Pamalashar).

“So I found myself lying third on the fence which I was happy with and we took it from there. All she had to do was kicked when asked – and she did!”

Gary Doughty rode the race from the grandstand.

“I was worried early, because I thought is she travelling, or not?” said Doughty. “But then I saw she was travelling comfortably mid-race and I hoped she could just slide forward in the straight.”

Trainer Kelly Doughty confirmed that Ginkgo Gold would step up to 1200m when chasing the hat trick.

“There is a race for mares over 1200m in town in eighteen days time which we have targeted,” said Doughty. That will be her next race.”

Jockey Chris Whiteley, who seldom ventures to town for a Saturday meeting unless he has a good ride, has been offered the ride.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Coonac (R. McMahon) was fractious in the barriers and then blundered on jumping away. Atomic Huss (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly. Barbres (A. Spinks) was caught 3 wide on the first turn and raced 3 wide until leaving the 600m.


Race 7:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
On September 2, comments made trainer Harry Richardson after Tetra’s win at Ipswich were posted on this site.

They included this quote from a very excited trainer, “He’ll go straight to a city midweek meeting now,” continued Richardson. “I can’t see him losing there. Then it will be on to a city, Saturday meeting.”

Those who put that in the notebook and backed Richardson’s judgement enjoyed the outcome here as Richardson’s city midweek prediction came true and paid double figure odds on the tote.

Not that Tetra’s followers had an easy ride as Tetra appeared to be under pressure at the tail of the field as the runners turned for home.

“I got held up on the bend and I thought well at least that takes care of one problem. I’m not going to hit the front too early,” laughed Taylor.

“Everything went wrong for him today,” continued Taylor. “He was left with a lot of work to do. He had to reel them in.

“He’s just looks like an awesome horse. He is so strong,” concluded Taylor, who took the day's riding honours with a double.

Halfway up the straight the task still looked like it might be beyond the son of Moon Rocket, but Tetra stuck to his guns.

The closing of the gap on the leaders was only a gradual process until inside the final 150m when Tetra suddenly found another gear and he charged home over the last 100m to score a scintillating victory and remain unbeaten since transferring into the care of Richardson. He has now won four in a row.

“This is the most exciting horse I have had on my hands,” reiterated Richardson.

“He will go further next time. (Christian) Reith got off him after he’d ridden him in an earlier run and said he would stay ten furlongs.”

Remember the notebook.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tetra (J. Taylor) was cramped on jumping away between Heart Of The Lion (Michael Palmer) and Ebony Lad (A. Spinks), which shifted out. Ebony Lad over-raced shortly after the start. Passing the 1200m, Dangerous Knight (E. Wilkinson) also got its head up and raced ungenerously for some distance. Falconten (A. Pattillo) was inclined to over-race in the early stages and on several occasions had to be steadied away from the heels of Bossie Boy (J. Holder). Ebony Lad again over-raced in the middle stages, having to be checked off the heels of Tetra. Bossie Boy was inclined to lay in under pressure in the run to the finish.
Near the 75m, R. McMahon's (Romantic Journey) right foot slipped from the stirrup iron and he became unbalanced. When unbalanced, Romantic Journey shifted outwards and made contact with Bossie Boy, which was inclined to lay in. R. McMahon then had difficulty using his whip over the final 50m.


Race 8:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
There was no happier winning connection on the day than Vicki Heathcote (wife of trainer Rob Heathcote) when she greeted the stable winner Dell Amby at the winners’ enclosure after the last race.

Dell Amby made up ground steadily in the straight. She hit the front inside the final 100m and had enough in hand to see off the late challenge of Vargas Girl out wide to secure the fourth win of her career.

Del Amby had really only beaten a pretty ordinary bunch home but Vicki Heathcote’s reaction reminded everyone that every win is one worth celebrating.

“That’s what it is all about I suppose,” said jockey Jason Holder. “Enjoying yourself.”

Few would argue against that point.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The saddle on Gun Belle shifted forward near the 900m, which placed M. Palmer at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. Welcome Site (E. Wilkinson) was inclined to over-race near the 1100m. Galliup (J. Byrne) was inclined to over-race rounding the first turn. Show Biz Miss (R. Goltz) had a tendency to lay out near the finish line.