ALL THE ACTION FROM EAGLE FARM

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, September 20.

Race 1:

Class 6 Handicap - 1830m
1st - Double Or Nothin; 2nd - Grand Laddie; 3rd - Bann Ruby

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Brian Smith trained Double Or Nothin completed a hat trick of wins, pegging back the determined challenge of Grand Laddie more easily than the 0.30 winning margin suggests.

“I told him if there was enough pace on to ride him quiet,” said Smith.

And jockey Scott Galloway, who has been aboard Double Or Nothin throughout the winning sequence, did what was asked of him.

“Yeah, I think that’s the way to ride her now,” agreed Galloway. “With experience she’s learning to settle better.

“She’s a half sister to Scattergun out of that very good broodmare (Unbeleevable),” continued Galloway, “so I don’t see any reason why she won’t get 2400m now – although I think this might be her last run this prep.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1400m Grand Laddie (J. Holder) had to be steadied when improving on to the heels of Chicken Bob (R. McMahon). Double Or Nothin (S. Galloway) over-raced for some distance in the vicinity of the 1200m.


Race 2

Open Handicap – 1000m
1st – Simplest; 2nd - Mi Cielo; 3rd - Piccohi

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Simplest strolled home at restrictive odds here to record his sixth win in a row.

“They’ve been good wins here but have come against limited opposition,” volunteered trainer Barry Baldwin.

“Have to step him up into something richer now to give him more of a test.

“We’ll give him a go in Sydney,” continued Baldwin.

“He’ll go to The Shorts (over 1000m at Randwick) in Sydney in two weeks time. If he doesn’t measure up in Group company, there is another 1000m race two weeks after that. It’s a Listed race.

“If he runs terrible we can come home. I’ve come home with my tail between my legs before - but he deserves a go.”

Baldwin pointed out that the $100 000 purchase (Simplest has already recouped that outlay) does have a couple of issues that he needs to manage.

“He has some trouble with his feet,” said Baldwin. “After his last run he had sore feet. He’s also got a soft palate. That’s why we keep him to 1000m.”

Jockey Brad Pengelly has partnered Simplest in his last two wins, but he doubts if he will get the ride in Sydney.

“It’s Scribo’s (Shane Scriven) ride I think,” said Pengelly. “But if he’s out, I’m in!”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned jockey S. Scriven and trainer B. Bellamy in relation to the disappointing performance of Sectagonal. S. Scriven stated that he trailed the eventual winner Simplest, however after travelling well to the 600m the horse failed to respond to his riding when the field sprinted from that point and did not finish the race off as expected. Trainer B. Bellamy advised that the horse had worked very well in preparation for today's event and he was at a loss to explain the disappointing run. A veterinary examination of Sectagonal failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer B. Bellamy undertook to notify stewards of anything that may come to his notice in the days following the race that may have had some bearing on the disappointing run.
A veterinary examination of Socialist (R. McMahon), which was inclined to lay in when under pressure in the straight, revealed no abnormalities.


Race 3:

Class 6 Plate – Set Weights - 1400m
1st - Regal Castanea; 2nd - Mr Doyle; 3rd - General Albert

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Scott Galloway has an affinity with the four-year-old chestnut Regal Castanea and Regal Castanea has a real liking for the Eagle Farm track.

Put those factors together and the Ron McCrae trained four-year-old parades his best form, to the degree that this was Regal Castanea’s third successive win (all over 1400m) at the city track.

“It’s no surprise he is doing well,” said Galloway. “Even when he was losing he was being beaten by some good horses. (Charming Rogue being an example)

“He is still a bit timid when racing inside horses,” continued Galloway. “I’ve been on him the last five starts and he’s taken a bit of educating but he’s getting there nicely now.”

Trainer Ron Macrae spoke of his future plans for Regal Castanea.

“I’ll probably back him up next week over a mile and then put him out,” said Macrae. (Note that would be a Doomben start).

“After that I’ll target three feature races,” continued Macrae.

“I’ll head him towards the Brisbane Handicap, the Recognition and the Bernborough.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Notre Amour (A. Spinks) reared as the gates opened, falling over the partition and dislodging its rider. The notification of correct weight was delayed for the stewards to view the official footage. After hearing evidence from the starter, the stewards were satisfied that Notre Amour was afforded the opportunity of a fair start and correct weight was declared on the Judge's placings. As Notre Amour has had a history of poor barrier manners stewards informed trainer R. Heathcote that the horse would have to perform satisfactorily in a minimum of two official barrier trials before being considered eligible to race. Apprentice C. McIver, the rider of Blue Oyster, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right to the finish line. S. Scriven, the rider of Mr Doyle, was fined $100 under AR. 145 for returning to scale in excess of half a kilogram overweight.


Race 4:

Open Handicap - 1500m
1st – Kutalo; 2nd – Noreil; 3rd - Bitabiff

WINNER FEEDBACK:
“Gee I’ve had a good week,” said apprentice jockey Amy Taylor.

Taylor had scored in scintillating fashion on the first-timer Chakvetadze at Ipswich on Thursday and she added this city win on the front-running Kutalo to her record – the couple of wins clearly giving her immense pleasure.

On Chakvetadze, Taylor had said she couldn’t hear the opposition as she had moved too far beyond them.

This time she could hear them coming as Noreil and Bitabiff kept the pressure on Kutalo, who had to be pushed out all the way to the line to secure the thirteenth win of his career.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
A post-race veterinary examination of Fair Ace (R. McMahon) revealed no abnormalities.


Race 5:

One Metro Win Handicap - 1200m
1st - Pride Of Power; 2nd - Sleek Repeat; 3rd - Daedalus

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The four-year-old gelding Pride Of Power fought courageously and got the better of a stride for stride battle with Sleek Repeat to claim the honours by the narrowest of margins.

“I try to get three or four runs out of him at a time as he trains off a bit,” said trainer Kelso Wood.

“I try to get into his head. I had him out in the yard for a bit to try and freshen him up,” continued Wood.

“He had a jump-out earlier this week (on Tuesday). He went to the line there with Simplest, so that made him look in good shape here.

Given the result, will Wood extend his number of runs this prep?

“As I say it’s all about getting into his head. I’ll have to try to let him think he’s had a spell again,” smiled Wood.

Jockey Michael Palmer gave his version of how the race unfolded.

“He was travelling well and I got onto the fence,” explained Palmer.

“Then he forced his way into the clear at the top of the straight – and all credit to him for doing that as he had to push a bigger horse out of the way.

“I tried to save his effort for one last sprint, but it turned into a battle at the end when the other one (Sleek Repeat) kicked on. He had to earn the win. He showed a lot of character.

“He’s run was super actually,” concluded Palmer.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1000m Lennon was tightened for room between Just Jagger (D. Craven) and Daedalus which hung in despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident Lennon made contact with the hind quarters of Just Jagger and lost its position. Dalzar (E. Wilkinson) got its head up and raced fiercely rounding the first turn. Near the 950m Daedalus had to be eased to avoid the heels of Sleek Repeat (J. Taylor) which shifted in. After leaving the 900m Just Jagger race in restricted room between Pride Of Power (Michael Palmer) and Daedalus which continued to lay in. Rounding the home turn Pride Of Power shifted out to improve from behind the heels of Sleek Repeat and made heavy contact with Daedalus.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Lennon, jockey R. Wiggins stated that he could offer no excuses and likewise trainer L. Gough was at a loss to explain the disappointing run. Mr Gough indicated that he would monitor the horse's recovery and may well recommend that the horse be given a short spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Lennon failed to reveal any abnormalities and a swab sample was taken. Dalzar, which bled from both nostrils, was declared ineligible to race for a period of three months under AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from Dalzar.


Race 6:

Three-Year-Olds - QTIS Handicap - 1300m
1st - Express Air; 2nd - Zero Rock; 3rd - Love De Cause

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The last time they met (over 1200m) Zero Rock had beaten Express Air by a length when giving the latter 0.5kg.

In this rematch (over 1300), Zero Rock was 1kg worse off at the weights.

The question was whether the combination of an increase in distance and the weight difference would be enough for Express Air to reverse that last result.

The betting – which had Zero Rock at $1.95 and Express Air at $4 - said it would not be enough.

The betting was wrong!

Jockey Jason Holder produced Express Air with a finely timed challenge to relegate Zero Rock back into second placing by 0.20 lengths.

Trainer Rex Lipp was quietly confident going into the race.

“I was quite confident,” confirmed Lipp. “I had no worries about Zero Rock. All I wanted was a fair go at the barrier and a nice lead into the race.

A fair go at the barrier?

“By that I mean she hasn’t got the acceleration out of the barriers to get a position, so I was worried where she might end up,” continued Lipp.

“He (jockey Jason Holder) had to go back otherwise she would have been caught three or four wide in midfield which wouldn’t have helped us at all.

“He’ll get a mile I’m sure,” said Lipp, “but he’ll go to the paddock now.

“I’ll think of targeting the Magic Millions (over 1400m) and races at the Winter Carnival. I think she’ll be a good Winter Carnival horse.”

Jockey Jason Holder was suitably impressed with the victory.

“She just got too far back last time,” stated Holder. “It’s the barrier problem you know. She just keeps getting bad barriers.

“She’s got ability and courage,” continued Holder. “This was a real gutsy performance. She responded well over the last 100m when having to fight for it.

“That’s a sign of a good horse.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Seeyou (S. Galloway) and Express Air (J. Holder) were slow to begin. Near the 1000m General Purple (R. Wiggins) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Sharufa (P. Hammersley) which shifted in. For some distance after, General Purple over-raced at the heels of Sharufa. P. Hammersley reported that just prior to his mount shifting in, his saddle rolled to the off side and he was at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event. General Purple raced three wide from the 1000m. Near the 500m Sharufa race in restricted room when cramped between Jazz Heart (R. McMahon), which shifted out slightly, and General Purple which shifted in. In this incident Sharufa had to be steadied away from the heels of General Purple. Close to the finishing line Love De Cause (S. Seamer) race in restricted room when Zero Rock (B. Pengelly) was inclined to lay in under pressure.


Race 7:

Fillies and Mares Quality Handicap - 1300m
1st - Craiglea Charm; 2nd - My First Affair; 3rd - Hurl

WINNER FEEDBACK:
If there is one common factor that covers most of the ‘Çraiglea’ horses, it is their honesty and toughness.

The Ray McCall trained Craiglea Charm needed both of those attributes to take out the day’s $100 000 feature event - that and a perfect ride from Shane Scriven.

Craiglea Charm carried top weight, a steadying burden of 58kg, and raced from the extreme outside draw (twelve out of twelve), two factors which could have undermined her influence on the outcome.

Instead Scriven and Craiglea Charm took the race by the scruff of the neck from the break and thereafter dictated the course of events on their terms, leaving their rivals struggling in their wake.

“We began good,” said Scriven, which was a bit of an understatement given Craiglea Charm’s speed at the start.

“I was prepared to sit behind the grey horse (Stirring), but when I saw him starting to try and slow things down, I thought I’d go to the front and make them do what I wanted them to do,” continued Scriven.

“I always knew she would kick in the straight, but she was starting to buckle close to the line. I was saying, come on, come on,’ and we got there.”

Co-Owner Stan Johnston was still semi-stunned at the winners’ enclosure.
“I honestly didn’t think we could do it with that weight and draw,” said Johnston, “but I’m very happy to be proved wrong.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Kanpeki (E. Wilkinson) and On The Fridge (J. Holder) were caught three wide rounding the first turn and obliged to race wide for the entire event. Near the 500m Eleda (D. Tanti) shifted out off the heels of Shew Stone (P. Hammersley) and brushed the hind quarters of On The Fridge. Our Jangles (J. Taylor) was held up for clear running until after leaving the 200m. Near the 50m Kanpeki had to be checked when tightened for room between On The Fridge, which was inclined to lay in under pressure, and Awasi Ougi (L. Herne) which was taken out by Our Jangles as that horse had to shift away from Hurl (A. Spinks), which was inclined to shift out under pressure. Both A. Spinks and J. Holder (On The Fridge) were advised to take greater measures to keep their mounts straight.


Race 8:

No Metro wins QTIS Handicap - 1000m
1st – Moppett; 2nd - Samui Star; 3rd - Danzamonkey

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Terry Catip trained Moppett scored a last-gasp victory when snaring the game Samui Star in the very last stride.

Moppett was racing first-up after a three month layoff.

“She was running fresh, that’s why I went back to 1000m,” said Catip. “I thought she would run well but winning is never easy.

“She’s a big, strong horse. She will go a mile,” stated Catip.

Jockey Matthew Palmer’s report back was a simply one.

“The further they went, the stronger she got,” said Palmer.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 700m Gold Solomon (A. Pattillo) and Honeyfornothin (P. Hammersley) were cramped for room between Shotime (S. Cormack), which was inclined to lay out, and Youcantseeme (A. Spinks), which shifted in and away from Samaui Star. Near the 650m Youcantseeme (A. Spinks) got its head up when over-racing and being steadied off the heels of Samui Star which shifted in when not fully clear. Stewards acknowledged that at the time Youcantseeme was inclined to over-race and may have overreacted. Nonetheless, B. El-Issa was reprimanded and advised to ensure he provides sufficient clearance when crossing. Passing the 400m Onion shifted out to improve and made heavy contact with Mount Magic (E. Wilkinson), forcing that horse wider. Near the 250m Onion again shifted its ground under pressure and Mount Magic had to be eased away to avoid heels. Near the 250m the tiring Honeyfornothin had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Danzamonkey (S. Scriven) which shifted out to improve. In this incident Tag had to ease away from the heels of the tiring Honeyfornothin. Stewards will interview S. Scriven and P. Hammersley (Honeyfornothing) at a later date.
Stewards inquired into a complaint lodged by apprentice A. Taylor at the scales concerning B. El-Issa's behaviour towards her when returning to scale. After hearing evidence from both riders concerned as well as from jockey S. Scriven, and as there was no corroborative evidence, stewards took no action in the matter.