ALL THE ACTION FROM IPSWICH

A review of the meeting held at Ipswich on Thursday, September 11.

Race 1:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
“No black eye this time?”

“No, no black eye this time,” answered apprentice jockey Mandy Radecker.

The subject of our exchange was Spanish Fling, the Pat Duff trained mare who, two runs prior to this win at Ipswich, had given Radecker a black eye when throwing her head at the barriers before a start at Doomben.

“She was good,” said Radecker. “She was good last time as well.

“She does want to over-race early though,” continued Radecker. “I had to tell her ‘get back here’ but she wants to get away from them.

“And if they come up to her she sort of wants to look around at them ... but she is learning.

“Just a typical female really. Wants to do things her way,” laughed Radecker.

Spanish Fling has now won two from four starts.

“I’m certain she will be as effective over 1200m,”continued Radecker. “Watch her in about six months time.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Spanish Fling (M. Radecker) began awkwardly. Navigation (J. Bowditch) and Willowie Lad (A. Pattillo) brushed on jumping away. Willowie Lad over-raced during the early stages. Spanish Fling raced wide during the early stages of the event. Approaching and rounding the home turn, Winnow (D. Tanti) was inclined to lay out. Bradford (J. Bowditch) was inclined to lay out under pressure over the concluding stages.


Race 2:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
This was not a strong field and Taj Paru took the opportunity to post her first win at the sixteenth time of asking.

“She was just about ready to win if you take her form on her last couple of runs at the coast,” said trainer Allan Ross.

“The slight step up in distance to 1350m might have helped a bit, but she wouldn’t want much more than that.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hot Goss (G. Baker) over-raced during the early stages. Near the 800m, Bearhart Gold (J. Bowditch) improved up on to the heels of Danzari (J. Murphy) and had to be steadied. Rhidan’s Chant was inclined to hang out during the early and middle stages of the race. Near the 450m, Bearhart Gold shifted in to improve and in doing so had to be steadied off the heels of Danzari. Jugerston (L. Rolls) was held up for clear running between Tilopia (S. Drake) and General Remark (S. Apthorpe) from the 350m until approaching the 250m. Jugerston then shifted out across the heels of General Remark in order to improve. Our Secret Affair (T. Pannell) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight and as a result near the 100m shifted out to obtain clear running and as a result bumped the hind quarters of Reigning Chief. Our Secret Affair had difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages. Bearhart Gold (J. Bowditch) was unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages when awkwardly placed behind the heels of Rhidan’s Chant. Reigning Chief and Vice Queen raced wide throughout.


Race 3:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith trained Baldy Mount became the third favourite to win in as many races when apprentice jockey Luke Rolls brought the chestnut through with a measured challenge to get the better of the front-running In The Clink close to the line.

Baldy Mount tracked In The Clink throughout the running and was asked to go forward soon after entering the straight.

While Baldy Mount did close up gradually on In The Clink, the latter was full of fight and kicked on strongly mid-straight, forcing Baldy Mount to work for victory.

Was Rolls at all concerned when In The Clink kicked again at the 200m?

“No, I wasn’t,” answered Rolls. “I rode Baldy Mount last time and I know he gets home well.

“I’d also done some form on the other one (In The Clink) and I know he tends to stop ... so, yeah, I always thought I’d get there.”

Baldy Mount was the first leg of a double for both Mayfield-Smith and Rolls, who combined again to bring Simian Express home a winner in Race 7.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The starting time of this race was delayed due to Astrolight being unable to be loaded into the barriers. Astrolight was subsequently declared a late scratching. Trainer J. Caught was advised that Astrolight must perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial prior to its next race start. Deenlester (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Approaching the first turn, Imperial Grouch (J. Murphy) improved up on to the heels of Baldy Mount (L. Rolls) and had to be steadied. Leaving the 1400m, Robson (D. Tanti) improved up on to the heels of In The Clink (O. Turpin) and was steadied when the pace of the race slackened. Paleface Warrior (G. Baker), which was following, was also steadied as a consequence. Imperial Grouch (J. Murphy) was held up for clear running near the 300m when persisting for a narrow run between Deenlister (P. Hammersley) and Little Bobby (C. Small), which was weakening. At a subsequent inquiry, J. Murphy, rider of Imperial Grouch, was reminded of safety obligations when riders attempt to take runs where there is doubtful room. At Work (R. Hinricks) raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Prince Hattal, which travelled wide throughout, failed to reveal any obvious abnormality. Trainer J. Hanna advised that the gelding would now be sent for a spell.


Race 4:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
This was probably the simplest race on the card in terms of everything going to script.

The main fancy, the Bryan Guy trained Cool Edition, although only a one-time winner going into the race, had sound recent city form to recommend her chances and she duly took care of her rivals with the minimum of fuss under a competent ride from Paul Hammersley.

The duo lay off the speed in the early part but once they launched their challenge it was ‘race over’ as Cool Edition cruised home to win a touch more comfortably than the official 1,30 length winning margin suggests.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Loaded Tycoon over-raced during the middle stages.


Race 5:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Defend The Hill is a big gelding with a big heart.

The son of General Nediym was only winning for the third time in twenty-three starts when driven home by jockey Andrew Spinks, but the fact that he was competitive at all after what he has been through stands as a credit to the character of both horse and trainer.

“He’s got such bad legs,” explained trainer Brad Maidment.

“He’s had cracked sesamoid’s, chipped knees, you name it, he’s had it,” continued Maidment.

“He’s apparently out of a valuable broodmare, but he couldn’t go through a sales ring because of his problems.

“He has very bad conformation in front.

“Then there was EI. He was so sick after EI. He lost 100kg.”

What did Maidment think of the run?

“I made a mistake last time,” volunteered Maidment. “I should have lead with him in town last start. I might just have got away with it.

“But, as it was, he sat just off the speed but then got checked at the top of the straight.

“He got there today though. Great ride from Andrew (Spinks). He deserved the win,” concluded Maidment.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lucky Counter (C. Isdale) raced wide from a point leaving the 700m. Approaching the 300m, Diamondsaucash (W. Clasohm), which was weakening, was tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing between Swirling Moss (J. Bowditch) and Rock Slide (L. Rolls), both of which shifted ground. Maximiss (S. Drake) had difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages. Diamondsaucash (W. Clasohm) and Rock Slide (L. Rolls) raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned jockey S Drake, rider of Maximiss, as to why she did not take advantage of clear running to the outside of Rock Slide (L. Rolls) near the 300m. S. Drake stated that after initially intending to take that run, she believed that runners in front would fan and force her wider on the track. She added that for this reason she elected to alter course and shift to the inside of Swirling Moss (J. Bowditch) to obtain clear running. Stewards were of the opinion that although S. Drake's actions did not cost her mount a placing in the race, they nevertheless advised her that they believed she made an error of judgement by failing to pursue the uninterrupted run to the outside.


Race 6:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The ever-consistent Michelle Cafea got the maximum reward for her efforts when arriving with a late rattle to snare Androuge in the shadow of the post.

This was Michelle Cafea’s second win in her last three starts.

Prior to that Michelle Cafea, who is trained by David Lawlor, recorded a number of runner-up finishes, so her latest successes have been built on a foundation of a solid form-line.

Apprentice jockey Justin Wood judged the race to perfection. He was put on the horse for a particular reason.

“I think Justin is a jockey who does a lot of work – yet nobody gives him rides,” stated Lawlor.

“I’ve used him before and he did a good job for me when finishing second,” continued Lawlor. “I thought I’d give him a chance and he did a great job.”

The six-year-old mare clearly thrives on racing, having had six runs in the last two months.

Is she an easy horse to work with?

“Anyone could train her mate,” answered Lawlor.

Michelle Cafea is due to back-up at Eagle Farm this Saturday.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rounding the home turn, Grey Expectations (C. Whiteley) was inclined to lay out. A post race veterinary examination of Grey Expectations revealed the horse to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer G. Logan was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for the gelding prior to its next race start.


Race 7:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Simian Express provided a second ‘no sweat’ win on the day for trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith and apprentice jockey Luke Rolls.

The speedy mare stepped up the tempo in the home straight and soon had the rest of the field only chasing for second place as she maintained a her effort all the way to the line to score easily by 2,50 lengths.

Simian Express is owned by the Wilston Grange Football Club Syndicate, a twenty-strong group of people, several of whom were on track to call their horse home.

For these twenty owners, syndication has proved to be a marvellous concept.

For the rest of us, it proved to be a good advertisement of why racing enthusiasts should get into racehorse ownership.

Sure the prize-money has to be divided accordingly, but, on the other hand, there is equally less pain when facing the training bills - and how many owners would be able to take their place at the winners’ enclosure were it not for the syndicate arrangement?

Above and beyond the finances there is the satisfying factor of shared enjoyment, which was clearly on show after the race as Simian Express’s owners celebrated their good fortune.

The mare has won two out of eight starts and she also has four minor placings to her credit.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m, Wusta (B. Evans) was checked when tightened for room between Bally Kelly (D. Tanti) and Kell’s Way (J. Murphy), which shifted in slightly. J. Murphy was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure she provides 2 lengths clearance when crossing. Passing the 800m, Prank Caller (R. Goltz) raced up on to the heels of Lady Fuji (G. Geran) and was steadied. Falling Star was held up for clear running from the 400m until near the 250m. Near the 250m, Margot’s Image shifted out across the heels of Lady Fuji (G. Geran) and in doing so made heavy contact with Mythical Memory (A. Taylor). B. El-Issa, rider of Margot’s Image, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.


Race 8:

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Paul Nolan (Jnr) trained Come Said The Boy was a most impressive winner here.

The son of Ex Moxie, fresh from his Maiden win, was ridden back this time and appeared to relish the role, reeling in his opposition so quickly over the last 150m that jockey Tony Pattillo had the luxury of being able to stop riding his mount out short of the line.

“We decided to ride him back a bit,” confirmed Nolan.

“I was a bit concerned at one stage but he went from travelling not so well to travelling really well.

“It just gives you so much more to work with when they can run from off the speed,” continued Nolan.

“And don’t forget, he beat older horses here, which is a good thing so early in his three-year-old season.”

Jockey Tony Pattillo smiled broadly when returning to the winners’ enclosure.

“Jeez he’s a good chaser,” beamed Pattillo. “Good chaser. Good horse.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Majestic Ruler began awkwardly and lost considerable ground. Near the 800m, Danish Dandy (C. Whiteley) improved up on to the heels of Stakes Are High (A. Merritt) and was steadied. Passing the 600m, Za Magic (B. El-Issa) and Galoubet (R. Goltz) bumped on several occasions. Jordane (B. Evans) raced ungenerously in the middle stages. Oscar The Great (P. Hammersley) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight.
W. Clasohm, rider of the unplaced Brav ‘N’ Ample, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the finish line.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Za Magic, B. El-Issa stated that the horse travelled well throughout, however approaching the 500m, Za Magic failed to respond to his urgings and, in his opinion, proved most disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A post race veterinary examination of Za Magic failed to reveal any abnormalities.
A post race veterinary examination of Tinkles failed to reveal any abnormalities.
The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Brav ‘N’Ample had sustained a laceration to the inside of the near fore fetlock.