DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, NOV 08)

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, November 8.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
From BTC meeting, 1.11.08
Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the reason for Steal The Cash falling passing the 200m in race 1, the Rochele Painting QTIS Handicap. Subsequently, G. Colless, rider of The Beast, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that passing the 200m he allowed his mount to shift in dictating the line of Saratoga (P. Wolfgram), which in turn shifted in, tightening Steal The Cash (A. Taylor), resulting in Steal The Cash being checked, and when being checked clipping the heels Saratoga and falling, dislodging A. Taylor. G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 3 weeks, to commence at midnight, 9 November and to expire at midnight, 30 November 2008.


Race 1:

QTIS 3yo Handicap- 1640m
1st –Seesawing; 2nd - Athenas Gift; 3rd - River Perfume

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “She had more to do at the weights with the other one (Athena Gift) but she did it pretty the same as she did when she won last time.” (The winner was 1.5kg worse off at the weight with Athenas Gift on their last clash – but still received 3.5kg, a winning advantage, from the runner-up).

Jockey Jim Byrne: “Last time I got a bit further back than I wanted to so her win there was probably a bit better than it looked. There wasn’t too much tempo in the race this time and I took the trail on the leaders. I was worried that Athena’s Gift would get a soft run up front – well he did get a soft run – but when I peeled off their backs and let her go in the straight she let down very quickly. She showed a very good turn of foot. After that it wasn’t so much that I had to keep working at her, but she did want to run in onto the other horse so all I had to do to win was keep her straight and focussed.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Left Standing (G. Colless) jumped outwards at the start, taking A Little Knowledge (B. Payne) out on to River Perfume (A. Taylor), which had to be steadied off the heels of Seesawing (J. Byrne). Shortly after straightening, Left Standing was disappointed for a run to the outside of Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly). Inside the final 50m, Athenas Gift shifted in and made contact with the running rail of its own accord.
When questioned regarding Three Tales racing forward to as opposed to its previous start, jockey S. Drake stated her instructions were to ride the horse in its customary position in the back half of the field. She added that the horse had the benefit of blinkers today for the first time, and from the wide alley Three Tales jumped well and was inclined to race keenly in the early stages and instead of being caught wide, she allowed her mount to proceed forward and take up a position outside Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly).
G. Colless was questioned regarding the performance of Left Standing. He stated that the horse travelled in a handy position throughout the event, however after having difficulty obtaining a run shortly after entering the straight, Left Standing failed to run on as expected. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse may not have run out the 1640m distance of today's event. Trainer G. Heinrich agreed that the horse did not run out the distance of today's event, and added she would consider keeping Left Standing to races over shorter distances.


Race 2:

QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1030m
1st – Brujita; 2nd – Fairchild; 3rd - Bella Sirena

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “We don’t wind our horses up. We just let them build up to form naturally. We knew she would take a lot of improvement out of her first run (behind the highly rated Paprika) and I’ll venture to suggest she will take a lot more improvement out of this run as well.”

Jockey Phillip Wolfgram: “We’ve always had a high opinion of her. We are just pushing ahead steadily with the plan of getting more prize-money behind her name so that she can go on and take her place in the Magic Millions.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Paper Weight, which was fractious in the float travelling to the course, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Paper Weight (K. Wharton) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 600m, Double Heart improved up on to the heels of Matalan (J. Byrne) and had to be steadied. Passing the 500m, Dellblu commenced to lay out and did so for the remainder of the event. Rounding the home turn, Bella Sirena shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped Matalan. Wicked Angel (S. Seamer) and Rainy Knight (S. Galloway) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Blow A Kiss failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 3:

Open Handicap - 2220m
1st – Tariki; 2nd - Mr Gold Fire; 3rd - Crowning Force

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Paul Hammersley (whose aggressive ride helped carry the day): “There was no speed on and he is an outright stayer so I had no hesitation in sending him forward. He is very one-paced but doesn’t stop so, once they let him steal a couple of lengths on them at a vital stage of the running, they were always going to be chasing.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned jockey G. Colless regarding the tactics adopted on On The Up, which settled at the rear of the field. G. Colless stated that from the wide alley and due to the anticipated tempo of the race, connections elected to settle the horse back closer to the rail. He added that after jumping he allowed On The Up to settle back and obtain a position behind the favourite Pay me, anticipating that horse would cart him into the race at a crucial point, however he added that Pay me was under pressure at the 800m and he was obliged to shift out to allow his mount to stride forward. Stewards adjourned the matter to enable them to interview trainer Mr R. Heathcote.
Jockey B. Pengelly was questioned regarding the poor performance of Currigee. He stated that the horse raced in a prominent position throughout however was beaten shortly after straightening. He added that, in his opinion, Currigee raced like a tired horse. Trainer B. Guy was at a loss to explain the disappointing run and undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality that may come to light in the days following the race that may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Currigee failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 4:

4yo & Up Class 6 Handicap - 1640m
1st – Daedalus; 2nd - Burgundy Prince; 3rd - Nasadispute

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “He did it from the front at the Coast last time and he did it again here. That’s the way he needs to run. The senior jocks always want to hold him back, but you can’t do that and get a result. He needs to race the way he wants to. That’s the key to him.
“We always thought he could win over a mile – and he’s done that now. He was stepping up in distance for a third successive run here, but that’s it now. The mile was our target. We won’t ask him to go any further.”

Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “He jumped well from a good alley. He’s a free-rolling horse and he got easy sectionals and then sprinted up well from the top of the straight. He finished off strongly. 1600m could be his go.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tag (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1400m, Belles Opinion (K. Wharton) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of O’Tonda (M. Radecker), which shifted in.


Race 5:

2MW Handicap - 1030m
1st - Vive Le Roi; 2nd - Red Letter Daze; 3rd - Bazzooka

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey: Ryan Wiggins: “It was a tough little race. He’s a tough sort though and he made his own luck. He jumped well and put some of the fancies behind him and he did an even better job in the straight to keep them there. Barry (Baldwin) was very confident.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m, Borsha’s Warrior had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Abirra, which shifted in. Bazzooka (S. Seamer) was inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Bazzooka, Abirra (J. Taylor), True Flyer and Borsha’s Warrior (J. Byrne) all raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned jockey J. Byrne regarding his riding of Borsha’s Warrior, in particular in the early stages after beginning awkwardly, and whether there was an opportunity for him to obtain a position closer to the fence and therefore obtain cover in the early stages. Jockey Byrne stated he was instructed to ride the horse in a forward position. He added that after jumping away awkwardly, he attempted to have Borsha’s Warrior muster speed in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position as instructed, however as the horse was unable to muster early speed as anticipated, he was caught wide as a result. Stewards noted J. Byrne's explanation. A post-race veterinary examination of Borsha’s Warrior failed to reveal any abnormalities. A swab sample was taken from Borsha’s Warrior.


Race 6:

QTIS Class 6 3yo & Handicap - 1200m
1st – Borsha’s Mark; 2nd - On the Fridge; 3rd - Main Vein

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Les Kelly: “He was really crook after the third EI injection at the start of the year – and it’s taken him this long to come back. He’s better this prep. He came back strong but was still just short of a run last time. Thankfully, he showed his right now. His target will be the Triple Crown sprint races which start here in December.”

Jockey Joshua Jones: “I had to give him a dig to get him across from the wide barrier. Once he got across he was always travelling well. Early in the straight I had a handful of horse and I knew he would kick on strongly to the line.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
She’s In The Guide (A. Pattillo) sprawled on jumping away; and shifted in, bumping Thorondo (J. Bowditch). Near the 800m, Thornodo had to be steadied when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Socialist (B. Pengelly), which shifted out when being steadied off the heels of On The Fridge (J. Byrne).
Approaching the 700m, Paymore (M. Radecker), which was inclined to lay out, shifted out and had to be steadied off the heels of Count Henry (A. Coome). On The Fridge (J. Byrne), which was racing to the outside of Paymore had to be steadied . Socialist (B. Pengelly) and Sir Xaar (C. McIver), which were following, both had to be checked in consequence. Approaching the 200m, Pride Of Power (Michael Palmer) had to be steadied when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor), which shifted out slightly. Paymore (M. Radecker) laid out rounding the home turn. In the early stages of the straight, Main Vein (G. Colless) was held up for clear running. Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) raced wide throughout.
G. Colless, rider of Main Vein pleaded guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he allowed his mount to shift out near the 100m when insufficiently clear of Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and as a result of Courtyard Circle had to be checked when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance and Main Vein (G. Colless). G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period of 8 meetings. Stewards ordered this penalty be served partially concurrent with the 3 weeks suspension previously handed down for a careless riding suspension incurred from an incident which occurred at the BTC meeting on 1 November. This suspension will expire at midnight, 5 December 2008.


Race 7:

Open Handicap - 1350m
1st - Nellie Got There; 2nd – Nexgen; 3rd - Pentacity

WINNER FEEDBACK:
This race provided a small piece of racing history in Queensland as it was the first winner of an officially registered ‘training partnership’ with the father and son team of Bruce and Jason McLachlan claiming that honour - although they did have to survive a protest before the ‘all clear’ was posted.

Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “Look we’ve been waiting for this partnership thing to come through for a long time in Queensland. Other states have had the rule for a while already. We set it up about a month ago but there is a lot of red tape to go through and this was our first day racing in partnership. We had two runners today. So far the partnership has had a third and a winner.
“It was logical for us to get into it instead of pursuing separate careers. Dad’s getting to the age now where he should be taking it easier. He’s 66 and I’m 38, so we should provide a nice mix. How do we get on? We get on very well. Mutual respect, you know. That is until we get behind closed doors – then it’s on! No seriously, we do work well together. Like today. He’s not here because we needed a bit of luck today, so he had to go home.
“As far as Nellie Got There is concerned, he is the most versatile horse you can find. He can go 1400m, 2000m ... it can be wet, it can be dry, he will always deliver his best. He’s tough too. I’d rather feed him than fight him.”

Jockey Sean Cormack: “He ran out away from the whip in the straight, which apparently he has done before as a young horse, but he never touched the other horse (Nexgen). I did manage to straighten him late and he came home strong.”

A protest was lodged (on behalf of the second placed Nexgen against the winner Nellie Got There). Matthew Palmer, rider of Nexgen stated that Nellie Got There, “had progressively moved out impeding my rightful run and denying me a clear passage in the straight.” Palmer further stated that, with the winning distance being only a head, the five to six horse-widths outward movement had compromised his chances, particularly as his mount continued to move out, having been forced on that course, after Cormack had straightened Nellie Got There over the final 50m. Palmer concluded that, “with true running, there is no question I would have beaten the winner.”
Jockey Sean Cormack countered with the argument, “I put my hands down and the stick away when straightening my mount over the final 50m. There was no contact and he was never going to get past me.”
The protest was dismissed.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by Matthew Palmer, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Nexgen, against Nellie Got There being declared the winner, alleging interference in the straight. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the film, stewards were of the opinion that approaching the 200m, Nexgen shifted out and away from Nellie Got There of its own accord, and further believed that near the 100m, Nellie Got There had dictated the line of Nexgen for a short distance. Given the head margin at the finish, stewards could not be satisfied that the minimal interference suffered by Nexgen warranted a reversal of placings and therefore the protest was dismissed and correct weight declared on the Judge's placings. At a subsequent inquiry, S. Cormack, rider of Nellie Got There, was reminded of his obligations to ensure his mounts stay on a straight course in the run to the finish.
Pentacity (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Majorca (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1000m, Master Denis (J. Bowditch) and Nexgen brushed. Rebounded and Master Denis raced 3 wide throughout. Blood ‘N’ Bone was held up for clear running in the early stages of straight. Near the 300m, Rebounded (M. Radecker) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Nexgen (M. Palmer), which shifted out, and Master Denis (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 150m, Blood ‘N’ Bone broke down and was retired from the event. A post-race veterinary examination of Blood ‘N’ Bone revealed the horse had broken down in the near fore sesamoid.


Race 8:

NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Save A Buck; 2nd - Deception Bay; 3rd - Tejada

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Hardy: “He ran a tremendous race first-up last time. He was left five lengths. No such problems today. Good passage and good finish. He’s just so consistent. If you take away that run when he missed the start, he has only finished out of the first three once in twelve starts.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rounding the 800m turn, My First Affair (S. Seamer) shifted out off the heels of Save A Buck (G. Colless) and had to be steadied. Near the 750m, Tims Image (J. Byrne) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Gun Salute (D. Craven). Gun Salute, Tejada, and Blue Oyster (C. McIver) raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Surety, J. Jones stated that the horse travelled well early however passing the 800m was under pressure and failed to respond to his riding and compounded in the straight. Trainer S. Lee will be interviewed regarding the horse's performance to ascertain whether anything had come to light in the days following to explain the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Surety failed to reveal any abnormalities.