EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, OCT 18)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, October 18.

Michael Nolan took out the day’s training honours when he won with two out of the three runners he had engaged at the meeting. The Toowoomba based trainer opened his account with the smart Chakvetadze, who excelled in her first city run to maintain her unbeaten record. She is now three from three. Nolan’s second winner came in the form of Stood Up, who claimed his ninth career success. Nolan was denied a full house when Little Stranger failed by the proverbial nostril in the fourth race, just going down in the last half-stride to Prosecution.

In-form trainers Robert Heathcote and Brian Smith once again added to their steady flow of winners. Heathcote won with On The Up (Sean Cormack) and his only other runner on the day, Charvicky, finished second. Smith struck with Malandrina (Ric McMahon) and he matched Heathcote’s effort when his only other entry at the meeting, Regal Gaze, also finished in the runner-up slot.

Riding honours went to apprentice jockey Amy Taylor who scored her first city double aboard the two Michael Nolan trained winners. Like Nolan, Taylor too was a nose away from the hat-trick having just been snared in the last stride on Altaica in the opening event on the card.


Race 1:

NMW Handicap - 1600m
1st – Malandrina; 2nd – Altaica; 3rd - Barclays

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “It’s not often that you’re prepared to say a horse will improve heaps, but I’m pretty certain this one will. She was only cantering most of the way wasn’t she? That is until she got into trouble again. She was travelling too easy. She’s still not wound up properly.
“After last time (when traffic problems clearly cost Malandrina the race) Ric (McMahon) was always going to be looking to get out into the clear in the straight, but he again found trouble. She’s just doing it on ability alone at the moment. She’s got heaps of ability, but still has a lot to learn. She’ll go further. Her grandmother (Sherona) won a Toowoomba Cup.”

Jockey Ric McMahon: “Yeah, we ran into problems. It was the kid on the horse inside me that kept shifting out and he took me out with him. She travelled well enough but it wasn’t as good a run as last time. She got out at about the 250m mark and from there she should have bolted home, but it turned into more of a grinding win. The important thing is that she got the job done in the end, but she’s looking for more ground now.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Leaving the 1300m, Falzig (J. Holder) shifted in and made contact with Malandrina (R. McMahon). A short distance later, Malandrina then shifted across to the rails when not fully clear of Altaica. As a consequence, Altaica was then inclined to pull hard at the heels of Malandrina for some distance. Approaching the 1000m, Jondy Rex (S. Drake) raced in restricted room between Our Mr Stilts and Mataranka, which shifted in. A short distance later, Jondy Rex, which had a tendency to over-race, shifted out from behind the heels of Mataranka (J. Byrne) and raced 3 wide in the middle stages. Tims Image pulled hard in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 400m, Malandrina shifted out from behind the heels of Leges Opinio (O. Turpin) and made contact with Ram Jam Inn (A. Spinks). On the finish line, Mataranka (J. Byrne) had to be eased from the heels of Falzig (J. Holder), which shifted in.


Race 2:

2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Our Dreaming; 2nd - Fear No Other; 3rd - Brazilian Princess

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Noel Doyle: “She’s got lots of ability this filly. I’ve always had a high opinion of her. From the word go she was just a natural little racehorse. Does everything so right. No, I was never worried about the wide barrier. They can win from that draw here. We’ll aim her at the Magic Millions. I’ll have to decide whether I will give her a break now and then come back with a couple of starts before the Magic Millions, or whether I’ll give her another start now and spell her later. I’ll think about that in the next few days.”

Jockey Matthew Bennett (who only had the one ride at the meeting): “I just gave her a squeeze out the barrier. She just does things so well. I never had any trouble throughout the running. My only concern was when I came down the straight with all of those tents on one side, I was a bit worried if she might react to the tents, being a two-year-old on her debut. But I needn’t have worried. Like I said, she does everything right.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the finish line, Lifebelt had to be steadied when racing between Duel Show (J. Taylor) and Startling Pleasure (A. Pattillo).


Race 3:

3yo Handicap - 1200m
1st –Chakvetadze; 2nd - Mystical Knight; 3rd – Brav ‘N' Ample

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “It was her first time over 1200m which was a worry. I was more even worried when she got so far back. That’s the furthest back she’s been in a race ... but she picked up well enough. She’s still learning obviously. But she’s three from three now. I’ll take that.”

Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor: “When I got back she wanted to over-race. Then just after I steadied her she shifted out and bumped Pengelly’s horse (Fred The Legion). And then the two of us kept on bumping on and off for a couple of furlongs. She’s got gears though and she picked up very quickly when in the clear. She was tested in the finish when the other one (Mystical Knight) came at her, but she wasn’t stopping. It was a good first effort over 1200m.”

Chakvetadze remains unbeaten after three starts. Taylor has partnered the filly on each occasion.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m, Chakvetadze (A. Taylor), which was pulling hard, shifted out, making heavy contact with Fred The Legion (B. Pengelly). Chakvetadze again shifted out near the 500m and made contact with Fred The Legion. A. Taylor, rider of Chakvetadze, was reprimanded and instructed to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Gorm The Old (R. McMahon) was inclined to lay out rounding the home turn. D. Coleman, rider of Lifebuoy, and J. Taylor, rider of Mr Orient, were reprimanded for use of their whips on horses out of contention. A post race veterinary examination of Arctic Echo failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 4:

Open Handicap - 1500m
1st – Prosecution; 2nd - Little Stranger; 3rd - Craiglea Warrior

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “He copped a check and went back at the start. That might have been a blessing in disguise because of the speed they put on up front. He got home very strongly and arrived just in time. Very good run for a ten-year-old”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prosecution (M. Palmer) was tightened for room at the start between Noreil (P. Hammersley) and Kutalo (A. Taylor), which knuckled on jumping away. Showify (J. Holder) was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and until after the 300m. Michael Palmer, rider of Little Stranger, dropped his whip approaching the 200m.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Hard To Catch, apprentice J. Jones stated that the horse travelled well throughout the race, however when asked for an effort shortly after straightening, Hard To Catch responded for a short distance only and did not finish the race off as expected. Trainer Mr P. Duff stated that whilst Hard To Catch had some travelling interstate recently, the gelding did not have its normal workload due to the recent wet tracks and that this may have had some effect on the disappointing performance. Mr P. Duff also reported that the horse's recovery today was slower than normal which may have been attributable to the missed work. Mr Duff undertook to notify stewards of any abnormality that may come to light with Hard To Catch. A post race veterinary examination of Hard To Catch failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 5:

Class 6 Plate - 2200m
1st - On The Up; 2nd - Regal Gaze; 3rd - Supreme Agenda

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “It was his day today and I was confident it was going to be. Plenty of people have been quick to bag this horse this prep. He’s been racing on soft tracks in walk-and-sprint races. This is the first time he got the track he wanted and the speed he needed. He outstayed them today. You know I like being right. It doesn’t always happen, but I like it when it does.”

Jockey Sean Cormack: “Last time I rode him I should have taken him to the front. Scattergun led that race. That’s how slow the pace was. He ran on nicely enough to finish fifth and some people thought that might just about be his level. I told Rob I thought he would go better when there was true speed in the race – and so it proved. Look, he’s not going to Hollywood, but it was a sound enough win.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
La Zeel (M. Palmer) jumped away awkwardly. Grand Corso (J. Byrne) pulled hard in the early stages. Rory’s Thunder (A. Spinks) was inclined to over-race rounding the first turn. On the point of straightening, Chiefcomingfirst (P. Hammersley) was held up behind the heels of Supreme Agenda (O. Turpin). J. Taylor, rider of Uncle Jan, dropped his whip near the 350m. Approaching the 200m, P. Hammersley attempted to position Chiefcomingfirst to obtain a run to the inside of La Zeel where there was insufficient room and had to be checked. Chiefcomingfirst then shifted to the outside of La Zeel to obtain clear running.
When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of On The Up, trainer Mr R. Heathcote stated that the horse had not been suited by the spate of wet tracks in the past and also had not appreciated the pattern of racing at its most recent starts. He added that today's race seemed to be a more genuine stayer's test and the gelding was better suited by the pattern of today's race. The explanation was noted.


Race 6:

2yo Handicap - 1200m
1st - Stood Up; 2nd - Main Vein; 3rd - Instructed

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “We gave him a good break before this prep. Both runs back have been good, behind Simplest first-up and then the run behind Rasmussen at the coast last time was real good. So he was due to do well here.”

Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor: “He just went enormous. Once he switched out he just took off. I can’t believe it. This is my first city double – and it should have been three.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Danzamonkey (B. Pengelly) jumped away awkwardly and made heavy contact with the barrier partition. Following the race, B. Pengelly reported that his left foot was injured when his mount struck the barriers on jumping away. B. Pengelly reported that Danzamonkey was inclined to hang out rounding the first turn and for some distance in the middle stages. Approaching the 200m, C. McIver, rider of Try Some Magic, was restricted in testing his mount due to the gelding hanging out. Master Illusion broke down on straightening and was retired from the race near the 200m. The club's veterinary surgeon reported that the horse had injured its near foreleg and due to the extent of the injuries, the horse was euthanized on humane grounds. Russeting (A. Coome) raced 3 wide for the entire race.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Lifeboat, trainer B. Thompson stated that, in his opinion, the gelding had come to the end of its preparation and would now be sent for a spell.
Trainer M. Nolan was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of Stood Up. He stated the horse was having its third run back today from a spell today, and that he had gained confidence in its chances today after Stood Up was beaten less than 4 lengths by Rasmussen at the Gold Coast after racing extremely wide.


Race 7:

Open Handicap- 1000m
1st – Sequallan; 2nd - Daunting Lad; 3rd - Black Ink

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “I took him to Sydney with Vocalic. I wanted to see if they could take the next step up. Vocalic had a trial, but ended up not even having a race there. Sequallan raced twice and finished last both times, but he had excuses. His first run there was suicidal. (Jockey) Dye took him out at Australian record breaking pace. It was suicidal. He had no chance. Second run, the draw took care of him. Couldn’t get in. Again he had no chance. That’s why I wasn’t worried about those results.
“So it’s proved a worthwhile exercise bringing them back. (Vocalic also won on his return home). He’s turned into a bit of a 1000m specialist this horse. He went really well.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “I was always very happy where I was in the running. The last run in Sydney I just couldn’t get in so the result wasn’t as bad as it looked on paper. I didn’t ride him in the run before that, but three runs back I was on him when he finished a good second to Simplest ... and he reproduced that form here.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 200m, Black Ink (O. Turpin) was cramped for room between Michelle Cafea (C. McIver) and Mr Aristos (R. Wiggins), which shifted out, and then approaching the 100m, Black Ink was again cramped for room between Michelle Cafea and Mr Aristos, which continued to shift out. Heart Of The Citi was held up and had difficulty gaining clear running until after leaving the 300m.


Race 8:

Class 6 Handicap- 1400m
1st -Our Jangles; 2nd – Charvicky; 3rd - Sun For Sale

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Miller: “She’s been a bit unlucky. She got the split at exactly when she needed it today and she showed what she can do.”

Jockey Ken Pope: “She got a great split at the top of the straight and just kept going. She fought like a tiger, mate. The only time I was worried was right on the line. I saw the other one (Charvicky) coming. I knew it had made a dive and I thought, ‘Jeez, did I lose it in the very last stride’. But it all turned out well.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
For some distance passing the 1200m, Phoenix Express (M. Palmer) pulled hard, having to be restrained off the heels of Charvicky (A. Coome). My First Affair also pulled hard leaving the 1200m. Sun For Sale (A. Spinks) was trapped 3 wide rounding the first turn. Leaving the 400m, Phoenix Express shifted out to improve and made contact with My First Affair. Tag had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight. Charvicky was held up for clear running in the straight until near the 200m. Thorondo (M. Radecker) and Smart And Fast raced 3 wide for the majority of the event. Near the finish line, Woody ‘N’ Buzz (G. Colless) was cramped for room between Charvicky and Our Jangles (K. Pope) when both horses shifted ground slightly near the finish line. Close to the finish line, Mr Doyle had to be momentarily eased to avoid the heels of Woody ‘N’ Buzz (G. Colless). J. Byrne, rider of La Salle, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right to the finish line.
Stewards questioned jockey R. McMahon and trainer Mrs M. Thexton in relation to My First Affair settling further back in the field than expected. R. McMahon stated that the horse today was a little slow to begin and whilst it was the intention to take up a forward position, he received some tightening at the start and this resulted in the horse being placed further back than he had expected. After viewing the film and hearing the comments of Mrs Thexton, stewards noted the circumstances.
When questioned as to Mr Doyle settling at the rear of the field today, B. Pengelly stated that the connections had instructed him to ride the horse back in the field from its wide draw He stated that whilst he had received some tightening at the start, his intention was always to restrain the horse rather than be trapped wide. His comments were noted.