ALL THE ACTION FROM EAGLE FARM

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, Spetember 24.

Race 1:

3yo Fillies Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st -Magic Procession; 2nd - Brave Gal; 3rd - Margette

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Magic Procession, a full sister to the useful Magic Promenade, took the honours.

The Barry Bowditch trained filly was produced at exactly the right time by jockey Garry Baker. She took the measure of the free-running, frontrunner Brave Gal inside the final 100m and won by a comfortable 1.30 lengths.

This was Magic Procession’s fifth start and she had been placed on two previous occasions, one of which was a third placing at Ipswich.

“I thought she’s win three runs back,” said Bowditch, referring to the Ipswich run. “She should have won three runs back. Only hiccup was that she was wide all the way.”

Garry Baker liked the run.

“She hit the line well which is obviously always good, but she seemed to be enjoying it, which is also important,” said Baker.

“On that basis I think she looks like she will keep progressing – and she’ll go 1400m,” concluded Baker.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey K. Wharton, rider of Kinesis Kiss, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 800m he shifted in when insufficiently clear of Margette (Matthew Palmer), taking that horse in, resulting in Acting U (L. Rolls) having to be checked. K. Wharton then failed to make sufficient effort to straighten Kinesis Kiss, which resulted in Margette further being taken in on to Blasko (R. Wiggins), which in turn shifted in on to Our Ballet Dancer (R. McMahon), which was then forced in on to Magic Procession (G. Baker), which had to be checked when taken across the heels of Brave Gal (P. Hammersley). K. Wharton was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 September, and to expire at midnight, 11 October 2008.
Apprentice C. McIver, rider of Champagne Pink, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 600m he allowed his mount to shift in, taking Kinesis Kiss (K. Wharton) in on to the hind quarters of Margette (Matthew Palmer), resulting in Kinesis Kiss having to be checked when forced across the heels of Champagne Pink. C. McIver was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 September, and to expire at midnight, 9 October 2008.
Near the finish line, Champagne Pink (C. McIver) shifted in under pressure, resulting in ACTING UP (L. Rolls) having to be steadied and shift ground inwards. Champagne Pink (C. McIver), Kinesis Kiss (K. Wharton), Stratplan (J. Taylor) and Posting (G. Colless) all raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the performance of Our Ballet Dancer, R. McMahon stated that the horse raced greenly, however as it was having only its first race start, he felt the filly would benefit from the experience. He indicated that the horse had been working well, however he agreed the performance was somewhat disappointing. A post race veterinary examination of failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
A post race veterinary examination of Posting revealed the filly to have sustained a laceration to the off-fore leg.


Race 2:

3yo C&G Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Left Standing; 2nd - Gallant Hawk; 3rd - Heartsun

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Left Standing became the third Metropolitan winner in the last two weeks for the Gillian Heinrich stable to come out strutting his stuff fresh after a layoff.

Left Standing bounced around in the parade before the race and had to attended to by the farrier behind the starting gates before jumping away and going on to land an a clearcut victory.

“He’s as fresh as a fart,” joked jockey Scott Seamer, after he had brought his mount back to the winners’ enclosure.

Seamer pointed out that the farrier work was his only moment of concern.

“Had to do the work,” said Seamer. “The shoe would have flown off in the first stride. He won well and should get even better when he gets to his distance,” said Seamer, whose strong ride from a number eighteen barrier (Left Standing was never worse than third) played a major role in the result.

The hiccup at the starting stalls was also an uncomfortable moment for Gillian Heinrich.

“When he was being attended to by the farrier it was a bit scary,” admitted Heinrich.

“Even apart from that disruption, he already had a lot to overcome – including the barrier and the fact that 1000m is not his go,” continued Heinrich. “He will go 1400m, a mile ... so to win like this over this trip is very encouraging.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Colonel Patton (P. Hammersley) began awkwardly and raced ungenerously in the early stages. Bundarra (L. Rolls) jumped away awkwardly and missed the start. Famous Cry (S. Cormack) jumped outwards and missed the start. Spectacular Shot (Matthew Palmer) was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight. Approaching the finish line, Craiglea Falcon (C. Dixon) was momentarily tightened for room between Cha Cha Man and Le Mirage (K. Wharton) and had to be steadied as a consequence.


Race 3:

Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st – Auscoal; 2nd – Greenhide; 3rd - County Tale

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jim Byrne got on the scoreboard with a win on the Michael Nolen trained Auscoal which came down to a closer call than the jockey thought it would once he had hit the front at the 100m mark.

Auscoal, a lightly raced five-year-old, had arrived at the head of affairs along the inside under a vigorous ride from Byrne but Greenhide, out wider on the track, also produced a finishing effort of note and the colt only just failed to reel in the winner.

“He took a while to get there, but when he hit the front I thought he was going to win easy,” said Byrne.

“But then he started stargazing,” continued Byrne. “He didn’t know what he was there for ... but he stayed on to complete the job. But it was just his inexperience that brought it back to a close margin.

“It was a better win than it looked.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer M. Lakey was advised that he must provide a further barrier certificate for Stylish Wan, which proved difficult to load. Near the 900m, Greenhide (D. Craven), which had commenced to over-race, had to be steadied from the heels of Stylish Wan (M. Heagney), which shifted in.
D. Craven, rider of Greenhide, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 400m he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Gradueight (C. Dixon), resulting in Gradueight having to be checked and the horse then blundering. D. Craven was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 24 September, and to expire at midnight, 5 October 2008. Gutenberg (S. Seamer), I’montop (S. Drake) and General Remark (S. Apthorpe) all raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 4:

Maiden Plate - 1500m
1st - Justin Case; 2nd – Bugsytwoshoes; 3rd - Crackinghorseluck

WINNER FEEDBACK:
“He rode it a treat didn’t he?”

Trainer Kelly Schweida was commenting on jockey Shane Scriven’s handling of the winner Justin Case, who jumped from the worst of the draw (fourteen out of fourteen) and ended up with rails run for much of the trip.

Scriven dropped Justin Case out from the draw and deftly manoeuvred the gelding to claim a position on the rail. By mid-term, the pair were tracking their market rival, Bugsytwoshoes in midfield.

At the top of the straight Bugsytwoshoes switched out for a run. For a moment Justin Case seemed to mark time as Scriven weighed up his options, but once that decision came down in favour of the inside run option, Justin Case quickened up nicely.

At the 250m, Justin Case was delayed momentarily again while shifting out around horses, but again he responded with meaning once in the clear.

All the while, Bugsytwoshoes was running his race on the outside and when Justin Case hit the lead at the 200m mark, Bugsytwoshoes emerged as a real threat.

The latter maintained a persistent challenge all the way to the line but Justin Case carrying too much ammunition and won that shootout by 0.80 lengths.

“He’s had a couple of enormous runs without getting a result,” said Schweida. The one he ran second to two runs back (La Marianne) has won twice since, so he is really was due.”

Jockey Shane Scriven said he was always confident once he had gained the advantage in the final chase to the line.

“On the turn I felt I just had to give him the right run in the straight to win,” said Scriven. “She did blunder a bit. It was only when I went whack, whack that he took off. Yeah, I was always confident.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Smartness was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon on arrival at the track after the mare had bumped its head in the float en route to the course. Smartness was cleared to start. El Tempo over-raced in the early stages.
Near the 400m, Bugsytwoshoes (P. Hammersley) shifted out to improve and in doing so made contact with Our Secret Affair (T. Pannell). Justin Case (S. Scriven) was held up for a short distance leaving the 400m. Aurantia (S. Seamer) raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 5:

Class 4 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Acinonyx; 2nd - Captive Way; 3rd - Life's Short

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Jones was justifiably chuffed with the win of Acinonyx.

“She came to me from Sydney as a 1000m horse,” explained Jones, “and I took one look at her and said, this doesn’t look like a 1000m horse to me. She looks like a miler.

And here was Acinonyx ... winning over 1500m.

“The owners (the Nolans) bought her for stud purposes. They are the same owners who had that grey horse of mine that won here (Grey Stream) which has also gone to stud.

“They said it would be nice if we could get a win in the city before she retires. So we’ve done that now.”

When is Acinonyx due to go to stud?

“Tomorrow,” answered Jones. Then he turned to jockey Jason Taylor and asked mischievously, “So do you think she can win another one?”

Taylor smiled and nodded in the affirmative. Then he went on to give his report back.

“She jumped alright and I wanted to go forward,” explained Taylor, “but they were humming along and if I went forward I would only have been in midfield and caught wide, so I thought I must go back and just sit here.

“With the rail out so far, you didn’t want to be last and switching three wide for a run on then turn, but I really didn’t have any other option,” continued Taylor.

“She did take a little while to get going, but once she stretched out she finished off quickly,” concluded Taylor, which is a bit of an understatement, considering Acinonyx flew at the finish to snare Captive Way in the final strides.

Acinonyx was the first of two wins on the day for Taylor.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dashing Dodge (A. Taylor) and Captive Way (S. Seamer) over-raced in the early stages.
Apprentice C. Dixon was found guilty of a charge under AR137(a)(1)(b) in that he used his whip excessively on Red Ferments when that gelding was out of contention. C. Dixon was fined $400. Apprentice Dixon was advised that as he has had previous offences for whip use on horses out of contention, a recommendation may be made to the Licensing Committee as to the status of his licence as he had only recently been upgraded to a metropolitan apprentice.
A post race veterinary examination of Murphy’s Creek revealed the gelding to be making an abnormal respiratory noise. Stewards advised trainer B. Hill that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance, including the results of an endoscopic examination prior to its next race start.


Race 6:

Class 4 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Monashee Knight; 2nd – KirraLyn; 3rd - Monashee Prince

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Every horse has a story – it’s just that some are more interesting than others.

Like that of the Darren Bell trained Monashee Knight who scored the fourth win of his career here.

Monashee Knight has been a very consistent performer. Apart from his four wins, the gelding also has nine minor placings to his credit in eighteen starts, but his story would have followed a vastly different route had it not been for a severe attack of colic, which led to an amazing discovery.

Bell takes up the story.

“He had various issues over a period of time that we just could not work out,” explained Bell.

“Then he had this major colic attack which required surgery,” continued Bell. “The vet found this blockage in his intestine.

“The vet showed me what he pulled out. It must have been about this size,” said Bell holding up his two fists together. “It was amazing.”

“The vet said it must have started when he swallowed a piece of towel or something as a younger horse, and, for some reason, whatever it was didn’t pass through his system. From there the blockage just piled up and piled up.

“The colic attack had him at death’s door at one stage, but ironically enough it came in time to save him. Most of his issues disappeared with the removal of the blockage.

“I was still very worried afterwards obviously because he underwent serious surgery.

“Colic surgery is very invasive and because of its seriousness horses don’t always come back to being one hundred percent, so I’m thrilled that he is back on the winning trail,” concluded Bell.


STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Byrne was fined $100 for being overweight and unable to ride Toohotforu and was replaced by R. McMahon. Monashee Knight (B. Pengelly) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Serunai (S. Cormack) was tightened for room on jumping away between Zod (A. Taylor), which shifted out after jumping away awkwardly. Near the 900m, Chabeli (A. Pattillo) had to be momentarily steadied from the heels of Scent Of Gold (M. Radecker), which shifted in. Approaching the 700m, Toohotforu (R. McMahon) had to be checked when tightened for room between Serunai (S. Cormack), which was taken out by Chabeli (A. Pattillo) when that horse got its head up and raced ungenerously at the heels of Scent Of Gold (M. Radecker) and Patties Mate (A. Merritt), which shifted in when not clear of Toohotforu. A. Merritt, rider of Patties Mate, was severely reprimanded and instructed to ensure he is fully clear when crossing in future. Near the 600m, Toohotforu (R. McMahon) had to be steadied and lost its position when racing in restricted room between Monashee Knight (B. Pengelly), which shifted out slightly, and Monashee Prince (K. Wharton), which shifted in when not clear. K. Wharton, rider of Monashee Prince, was severely reprimanded and instructed to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After leaving the 600m, Chabeli (A. Pattillo) brushed the running rail and then shifted out, resulting in Serunai (S. Cormack) racing in restricted room between Chabeli and Patties Mate (A. Merritt). For some distance after leaving the 500m, Serunai continued to race in restricted room and made heavy contact on several occasions with Patties Mate, which was racing tight on the outside. A. Merritt, rider of Patties Mate, was severely reprimanded and instructed to take provide more room to runners on his inside.
D. Tanti, rider of Kirra Lyn was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that passing the winning post he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of Zod, forcing that horse in on to Scent Of Gold (M. Radecker), which had to be checked. D. Tanti was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 27 September, and to expire at midnight, 9 October 2008.


Race 7:

CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1300m
1st – Fasdehere; 2nd - You're On Merv; 3rd - Werockit

WINNER FEEDBACK:
What plan was that Jason? Plan A, B or C?

That was trainer Keith Smith’s first words to Jockey Jason Taylor when he rider brought Fasdehere back to the winners’ enclosure after the gelding had landed his second win in just three starts.

“Plan C,” answered Taylor.

“We hadn’t spoken about that one,” said Smith.

“I didn’t want to talk about it in case anyone was listening,” laughed Taylor.

Plan C was simple enough. It involved sprinting from the extreme outside gate, getting to the lead, crossing to the fence and then kicking on in a manner which would not allow anyone else into the race – and it was executed to perfection.

“He’s a big horse. He can’t fit into the barrier properly. He can’t bow his head so he needs a chain to help him,” explained Taylor.

“He jumped ok, but it is his next stride which is so quick,” continued Taylor. “He was trucking!”

Fasdehere’s performance was all the more impressive because he stepped up from being a Maiden winner into Class 3 company and he also faced a step up in distance from 1000m to 1300m.

There must have been a fair level of confidence to ask him to do that.

“That was an exceptional Maiden win for the Sunshine Coast,” stated Taylor, “and we always thought he would go well over further.

“He is a handful though and so have to place him carefully to get the best out of him.”

Fasdehere gave Taylor a double at the meeting.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Byrne was fined $100 for being overweight and unable to ride You’re On Merv and was replaced by R. McMahon. Benragazzaro, Best Bid (M. Radecker) and Spin Zero (D. Craven) raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Kane Mochi, G. Colless stated that the horse travelled well throughout after securing a nice position in running, however when placed under pressure in the early stages of the straight, the horse failed to respond to his riding. G. Colless further stated that, in his opinion, the performance was disappointing considering the run Kane Mochi had during the race.
When questioned regarding his riding and vigour shown on Spin Zero in the early stages of the straight, D Craven stated that the horse seemed to be under pressure at that stage and he felt that the horse would not respond to excessive pressure and, in his opinion, Spin Zero was doing its best work at that stage. The explanation was noted.


Race 8:

F & M Class 3 Handicap - 1300m
1st – Kryptelon; 2nd - Lots Of Success; 3rd - Miss Maggie

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Kryptelon kept his ultra-consistent run of form going by winning for the third time in his last five starts for trainer David Kelly.

“She’s a good, honest horse as her record shows,” said Kelly. “Last time (when finishing third) was just a bit short for here. The extra ground suited her better here.”

Jockey Paul Hammersley admitted to having a scare as the field turned for home – and it was all of his own making.

“I did give myself a bit of a scare,” admitted Hammersley. “I dropped my reins at the top of the straight and I thought I’d get beaten while I was still trying to gather them in.”

But Hammersley did manage to regain the reins on Kryptelon and, to use his words, “once she sprinted, she just took off,” and sealed a well-deserved result.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey P. Hammersley, rider of Kryptelon, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 1100m, he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Falling Star (J. Holder), resulting in Falling Star having to be checked to avoid the heels of Kryptelon. P. Hammersley was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 September and to expire at midnight, 10 October 2008. S. Drake, rider of Icedane, was reminded of her obligations to ride her mounts right out to the finish line.