DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, NOV 1)

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, November 1.

The Stradbroke runner-up Hard To Catch underlined his class with a clear-cut victory under the steadying burden of 60.5kg in an Open Handicap in which he gave his rivals between 6.5kg and 9.5kg at the weights.

Glen Colless rode Hard To Catch, who was one of four winners on the day for the highly talented rider. Colless’s half -the-card haul improved on his treble at last weekend’s metropolitan meeting.

Falvelon further boosted his reputation as a stallion when he sired three winners (Doonbah Star, Powerful Light and Fangles) on the card. Doonbah Star was completing a hat trick of wins, Powerful Light trounced her opposition in a most impressive debut while Fangles was winning for the fourth time in his last six starts.

On a more solemn note, apprentice jockey Amy Taylor’s crashing fall from Steal The Cash in the opening race on the card gave us all a reminder of the dangerous side of the game.

The downside of the sport was exacerbated by the performance of the medical staff in the ambulance which follows the runners every race for just such an eventuality. There appeared to be little or no urgency to get to the stricken Taylor, who lay motionless on the track for too long a time before receiving attention. That a concerned race-club official was able to run from the mounting yard and get to Taylor as quickly as the medics in the ambulance, highlights the latter’s dawdling pace.

Safety in racing is one area where standards and actions have to be maintained at the highest order. The example demonstrated in public at Doomben on Saturday was simply not good enough.

Race 1:

3yo QTIS Handicap - 1350m
1st - Doonbah Star; 2nd - Jamelden Cat; 3rd - Left Standing

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “This is the cherry on top for the week. I’ve had five winners from six starters this week. I’ve always had a big opinion of this horse, but they’ve still got to put it in on the track before you can be sure you’ve got something going for you. And even then you know, winning at the Gold Coast is one thing, taking on a city class field is another. I brought him here to see where we are going and to find out more. He won like I thought he could, but he still had to put the result on the board to confirm that ability.
“He’s just a beautiful horse. Look at him – and he’s got a temperament to match. After training gallops I wait for him at the gap and he comes running back to me and then stops right there, just a couple of inches from my face, and he waits there till I say something. He’s genuinely a pleasure to train.”

Jockey Terry Treichel: “His last three wins have been huge. (Doonbah Star completed a hat trick with this win) He’s a bit of a freak. He did it easy today. I just settled him. Then, when I gave him a dig he took off. I’ll be following him to keep the ride, that’s for sure.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Steal The Cash (A. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly.
Jockey T. Treichel, the rider of Doonbah Star, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a), the careless riding being that near the 1300m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of The Beast (G. Colless), which in turn was taken in tightening the running of Steal The Cash, which had to be checked and lost its position. Steal The Cash then shifted in and hampered Vintage Mo (C. McIver), which shifted in and hampered Jamelden Cat (S. Cormack). T. Treichel's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of nine meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 5 November and expire at midnight on Wednesday, 19 November 2008.
Approaching the 1200m Steal The Cash, which was over-racing, had to be steadied off the heels of Jamelden Cat. The Beast and Steal The Cash over-raced in the early stages. Mr Orient raced wide for the majority of the event.
An inquiry into Steal The Cash falling and dislodging its rider passing the 200m was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed to enable apprentice A. Taylor to give evidence. A post-race veterinary examination of Steal the Cash revealed that the gelding had sustained two lacerations to the near side lower nose.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of The Beast jockey G. Colless stated that he was unable to offer any excuses other than that the horse had a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages. He added that the horse was inclined to hang in from after passing the 450m. Trainer A. Bailey advised stewards that he was disappointed with the horse's performance and undertook to have the horse vetted in the days subsequent to the event and would inform stewards of the results of the examination. A post-race veterinary examination of The Beast failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 2:

2yo QTIS H'CAP - 1010m
1st - Powerful Light; 2nd - Brazilian Princess; 3rd - Melrina Miss

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Helen Page: “We knew that she had the speed. She led all the way in a barrier trial. Good to put it all together like that in a race as well.”

Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “She just ran them off their feet. I think she was just ahead of them in terms of education and that came through in the race. She’s got very impressive speed early and the nice thing about that is you don’t have to gas him, he does it naturally.”

This win put Palmer on top of the Apprentice Jockeys Metropolitan Premiership table, one win ahead of Amy Taylor.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Dual Chamber proved very difficult to load. Trainer M. Thexton was advised that she must obtain a further barrier certificate for Dual Chamber before it is permitted to race. Big Tony raced greenly for the majority of the event. Street Sign (P. Wolfgram) and Galactic Trooper (A. Coome) raced wide throughout. Near the 600m Dual Chamber shifted out of its own accord and had to be steadied off the heels of Galactic Trooper.


Race 3:

1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Red Sphere; 2nd - Chabeli; 3rd - Catchit

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Stable spokesman Scott Morrisey: “He’s got a very good first-up record and he has been training sensationally.” (This was Red Sphere’s first run for six months). “He had a good barrier, a great run in the race and a top jockey. It all fitted together today.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “He runs good fresh and with three leaders going out to set it up for him, he just got a lovely run, didn’t he?”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Pedro’s Amazing (P. Wolfgram) and Snow Destiny (K. Wharton) were slow to begin. Catchit (M. Radecker) jumped away awkwardly. Catchit raced three wide throughout.


Race 4:

Open Handicap - 1615m
1st - Hard To Catch; 2nd - Showify; 3rd - Jujulio

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Pat Duff: “It was yet another great ride by Glen (Colless) – and it’s always good to have him on your horse – but, with all due respect to Glen, I think I could have won on him today. It was his race. It was my mistake he underperformed last time - as I reported to the Stewards afterwards.
“He came back from Sydney and I gave him an easy week. Then we got rain on the Thursday which impacted on his work. I thought I could get away with it and he would be right to race, but I was wrong. It was purely my mistake.
“You can cope with a big weight from an inside draw, because you don’t have to chase and the horse can run its own race. (Hard To Catch carried 60.5kg). This was his true form. Not many horse win $1 million racing in Queensland. That’s how good he is.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “At best he was always going to have a couple of lengths on them on class alone. He got a perfect run and the result was never in doubt. I’d never ridden him before this. Maybe I can get on him again next time.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ostras raced wide in the early stages. Crowning Force was held up for clear running inside the final 100m. Inside the final 50m Prosecution was obliged to race in restricted room between Crowning Force, which was held up, and Little Stranger (Michael Palmer), which shifted in slightly. A post-race veterinary examination of Ostras failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 5:

Class 6 Handicap (Mares) - 1350m
1st – Nepro; 2nd – Moppett; 3rd - Mossvana

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Kate Gardner, partner to trainer Matt Kropp: “She’s always had a problem drawing a decent barrier. She’s had shocking luck with that ... and she’s a horse that likes to run handy, so it makes a big difference to her. The time she finished second she had a five draw. This time she jumped from barrier seven. Those are the two lowest barrier draws she’s had in a long time, and she’s produced a result on both occasions.
“No, Matt (Kropp) is not here. He’ll be sorry he missed it but he’s gone off fishing near Port Douglas. He won’t know about it yet. I can’t call him. He’s out of range.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
O’Tonda (C. Reith) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Icedane (S. Drake) blundered on jumping away. Near the 1100m Russeting (C. McIver) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Nepro (A. Spinks) which was taken in slightly by Miz Winfrey (R. McMahon). Near the 1000m Icedane improved up on to the heels of Charvicky (A. Coome) and had to be steadied. When the pace steadied near the 800m Mossvana (Michael Palmer), My First Affair (S. Seamer), Miz Winfrey, Nepro, Gun Belle (Matthew Palmer) and Russeting all had to be steadied to varying degrees. Miz Winfrey, which shifted out when racing three wide, pushed forward to obtain the lead near the 700m. Apprentice M. Hellyer, the rider of Michelle Cafea, was reprimanded under AR. 137(d) for excessively slowing the pace near the 800m. Gun Belle and Kenshe (R. Wiggins) were obliged to race wide for the majority of the event. Russeting was held up for clear running until near the 200m. Inside the final 50m Icedane had difficulty obtaining clear running.


Race 6:

E&G Class 6 Handicap - 1350m
1st – Fangles; 2nd – Rockem; 3rd - Intramuros

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stephen Jones: “Glen said to me beforehand that there was no speed in the race so he thought he should go forward. I said to him, ‘mate, you’re the one riding winners, you’ll get no argument from me.’ Glen said our horse has got speed so why not use it. I just let him do it his way. He rated the horse beautifully. It was a perfect ride.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “I mentioned to Steve that I thought there wouldn’t be speed on and that if I went to the front I might be able to dictate things. Everything worked out perfectly.”

The track preference of the winner should also be noted here as it arguably played a significant role in the result. Fangles has now won three out of five starts at this track and is two from two over the track and distance.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rockem (R. Goltz) stood flat-footed as the gates opened and lost ground. Mr Doyle (B. Pengelly) raced wide throughout. Rockem laid out from passing the 800m until shortly after straightening and was then held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight. S. Cormack, the rider of More On The Toe, accidentally dropped his whip near the 150m.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Mr Doyle , jockey B. Pengelly stated that the horse, from its wide alley today, was unable to obtain any position better than three wide mid-field, however when placed under pressure approaching the home turn failed to respond to his riding. He added that in his opinion the horse felt flat. Trainer P. Balzen advised that in his opinion the horse may have come to the end of its preparation today and will be sent for an immediate spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Mr Doyle failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 7:

Open Handicap - 1200m
1st - Bold Reason; 2nd - Black Ink; 3rd - Heart Of The Citi

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “He appreciated the speed in the race which helped him to get home well. I’ve never ridden him before. I’ve ridden against him a good few times and it was a pleasure to be on him today.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start Stood Up (Michael Palmer) was placed in restricted room between Black Ink (J. Byrne) and Vocalic (P. Wolfgram), which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Near the 800m Messiaen (Matthew Palmer) was obliged to race in restricted room inside Mr Aristos (W. Clasohm) for a short distance. Heart Of The Citi (M. Radecker) raced wide throughout. In the early stages of the straight until near the 200m Mr Aristos was held up for clear running. Pepperwood (C. McIver) was held up for clear running until after passing the 100m. Between the 100m and the 50m Blood ‘N’Bone (R. Wiggins) had difficulty obtaining clear running.
Stewards questioned apprentice C. McIver regarding his ride on Pepperwood, especially from shortly after entering the straight. Apprentice McIver stated that his instructions were to let the horse settle in the early stages and search for clear running in the straight. He added that after obtaining a position towards the rear of the field in the early stages, the horse raced keenly in the middle stages and near the 500m improved on to the heels of Black Ink and had to be steadied. He further added that he elected to stay close to the rail in the straight, hoping for an opportunity to present itself to the inside of Tellasecret (A. Spinks), however no run eventuated and he was unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages of the event. Trainer L. Birchley confirmed the instructions and stated to stewards that he was satisfied with apprentice C. McIver's handling of Pepperwood.


Race 8:

Class 6 QTIS Plate - 2020m
1st - Regal Gaze; 2nd - Grand Corso; 3rd - Derry City

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “I keep on shaking my head at the run I’m having. I don’t remember having a hot streak for this long before.”

Jockey Glen Colless whose win on Regal Gaze meant he had ridden four winners on the day, surpassing the treble he rode at last weekend’s meeting. “I’m just enjoying having a bit of luck. You get on the right ones and they make you look good.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As G. Baker was injured, J. Byrne was substituted as the rider of La Zeel. Stewards permitted J. Byrne to ride that horse half a kilogram overweight. Palace Lover, which was fractious in the barriers, was a late scratching at 5.26 p.m. by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice. Trainer M. Nolan was advised that he must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to the horse's next start. Great Honour (R. Wiggins), which was obliged to race wide in the early stages, pushed forward and obtained the lead near the 1000m. Near the 600m Uncle Jan (A. Spinks) had to be checked when tightened for room between Great Honour, which when tiring shifted out slightly, and Regal Gaze, which shifted in. G. Colless, the rider of Regal Gaze, was severely reprimanded and advised that he was being given the benefit of a grave doubt as to whether he was fully culpable. Near the 500m Kentish Rose (C. McIver) was held up and had to be steadied off the heels of the tiring Great Honour, and again had to be checked passing the 400m. Leges Opinio was held up for clear running from the 500m until shortly after entering the straight. Near the 400m Uncle Jan again had to be checked when tightened for room between Tariki (P. Hammersley), which was taken out by the tiring Great Honour, and Monchenglabach (S. Cormack), which was taken in slightly by Supreme Agenda (K. Wharton).