DOOMBEN REVIEW (WED, NOV 12)

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, November 12.

STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS:
From BTC meeting, 8.11.08 - Race 3
Stewards questioned trainer R. Heathcote regarding the riding tactics adopted on On The Up. Mr Heathcote stated that he advised jockey G. Colless from the wide alley to take up a position where the horse was comfortable and if that was at the rear of the field, to be in a position to allow On The Up to stride forward along the back straight. He further added that the horse had raced in a more handier position at it recent starts however had drawn an inside barrier which had aided the horse to obtain a closer position. Mr Heathcote added that jockey Colless had obtained a position on the back of Pay Me and had anticipated Pay Me carrying him into the race, however Pay Me was under pressure at the 800m. He stated as the race turned into a sprint home, On The Up was unable to sprint with them. Stewards noted the explanation.
Trainer S. Lee advised stewards he had a subsequent blood test taken from Surety following its poor performance, and the test failed to reveal anything amiss with the horse.


Race 1:

F & M Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - I'm So Stunning; 2nd - Runaway Fund; 3rd - Ensconce

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who would go on to train a double on the day): “I thought she would win, but not by six lengths. I’ve only had her for three runs. When she came into the stable she looked more like an ‘Ugly Betty’ than an ‘I’m So Stunning’. She’s showing good progress, but you can’t get carried away with a Maiden win.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “While she did beat an ordinary field, it was still a fair effort. The two of them in front of me at the turn into the straight were the two favourites and she beat them home by six lengths. She could have won by ten. She might just have a future.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m, Aim Me High (D. Van Bekkum) shifted in, bumping Pleasure Shot (L. Dittman). As a result, Aim Me High became unbalanced. Passing the 700m, Pleasure Shot (L. Dittman) laid out across the heels of I’m So Stunning and had to be checked. Between the 800m and 700m, Ensconce (J. Jones) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Runaway Fund (J. Taylor). J. Taylor, rider of Runaway Fund, was severely reprimanded. A post-race veterinary examination of Ephyra failed to reveal any abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon reported that Pleasure Shot had sustained a graze down the off-fore canon.


Race 2:

CG&E Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Handon Hero; 2nd - Cha Cha Man; 3rd - Liquidate

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lennie Wheeler: “He was shin-sore after his first run so he was spelled. He ran two good seconds in his three starts back before this, so he was due.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Young Prince raced 3 wide and was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight.


Race 3:

CG&E Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Albert Cadabra; 2nd - Murphy's Creek; 3rd - Life's Short

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith: “Well that broke a bit of a drought. He’s going well this prep but some things have gone wrong. He led last time and he doesn’t like that role so he got caught out. The run before that was in heavy going which doesn’t suit him. I thought I had both of those problems going into the race today.
“I was worried he might have to lead if there was no pace in the race, but thankfully Gillian’s horse (Askew) went out in front. That’s exactly what my horse needs – a good cart into the race. I also wasn’t happy this morning when I watched it p... down with rain. I was worried about the track. But we came through. Like I say, this result broke a bit of a drought for me.”

Apprentice Jockey Adrian Coome (who is on loan to Mayfield-Smith): “Yeah he tracked the leader at a pace which suited him. He basically did the rest. I just had to steer him.”

The time of 1.20.25 represented a New Class Record.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Murphy’s Creek (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Life’s Short over-raced for a short period in the early stages. A. Pattillo, rider of Jimmy Jim, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 800m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Albert Cadabra (A. Coome), which was taken in across the running of Life’s Short and as a result Life’s Short had to be checked when tightened for room. A. Pattillo was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 15 November, and to expire at midnight, 26 November 2008. Jimmy Jim, which was over-racing in the early stages, shifted out off the heels of Albert Cadabra (A. Coome) and was obliged to race 3 wide until passing the 800m. Approaching the 400m, Murphy’s Creek ((P. Hammersley) was momentarily impeded when tightened for room inside of Jimmy Jim, which shifted in when weakening.
Following the running of race 3, Mr R. Bradshaw, trainer of Life’s Short, lodged a complaint with the stewards regarding the ride of jockey A. Spinks on that horse. Mr Bradshaw stated that his instructions were to lead or to have Life’s Short positioned behind the leader. Mr Bradshaw stated that he was also unhappy that jockey Spinks ended up 3 back on the fence passing the 800m. Jockey Spinks confirmed the instructions and added that after jumping outwards slightly at the start, Askew took up a position forward of him and he allowed that horse to cross him passing the 1200m. He further added that after Askew obtained the lead the pace steadied and Life’s Short improved up on to that horse's heels and had to be steadied. He further added that the horse lost momentum and had to be checked at the 800m when tightened for room, and that passing the 600m he eased the horse out to allow Life’s Short to sustain a grinding run to the finish, as per Mr Bradshaw's instructions. After hearing the evidence and viewing the films of the race, stewards could not concur with Mr Bradshaw's complaint and advised him that, in their opinion, jockey Spinks had ridden to instructions in the early stages by obtaining a position behind the leader, however was a victim of interference near the 800m which resulted in Life’s Short losing its position.


Race 4:

F&M Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Jacaranda Charm; 2nd - Kenshe; 3rd - Where'smine

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Ruming: “He (Kevin Forrester) is just such a lucky jockey for us. He’s had four rides and four wins for us now. When the horse was out for a spell in mid-year, we did toy with the idea of retiring her, but we’re so pleased we didn’t. Two out of two since returning. I guess we made the right decision.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start, Falling Star (J. Byrne) commenced to over-race. Kenshe (R. Wiggins) and Gather (W. Clasohm) raced wide for the majority of the race.
K. Forrester, rider of Jacaranda Charm, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Rapid Babe (J. Jones), resulting in Rapid Babe being checked. K. Forrester was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 16 November, and to expire at midnight, 28 November 2008.
Near the 200m, after obtaining a narrow run, Kenshe (R. Wiggins) made contact with Falling Star (J. Byrne) and as a result Falling Star became unbalanced and shifted in. Cajun Moon (M. Radecker) and Gather raced wide throughout.


Race 5:

Class 3 Handicap - 1650m
1st - Prince Leo; 2nd - Spin Zero; 3rd - Akoya

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Shaun Dwyer: “Oh he’s a bit of a head case. You almost have to be some kind of horse psychologist to get anywhere with him. Having said that, he does show ability. Today was a testing step up from 1200m to a mile in only his second start after a spell. We did take 3kg off (apprentice Jones’ claim) which did help, but he still took it in his stride.
“I’m very tempted – it’s something I’ve got to think about still – but I’m very tempted to step him up in distance again because I think he’ll stay 2000m.”

Apprentice jockey Joshua Jones: “He was always going to win. He travelled well throughout. The only slight hassle was right after the start when Amy Taylor (on Auscoal) tried to come off the rail and go up outside the leader. I had to push forward to keep her in otherwise I would have been caught three wide. There was no problem after that.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Justin Case (J. Byrne) and Prince Leo (J. Jones) were slow to begin. Passing the 600m, Created (C. Reith) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Bougette (J. Taylor) wider. Near the 250m, Akoya (K. Forrester) shifted out to improve and in doing so took Created (C. Reith) and Greenfinder (A. Pattillo) wider. Bougette, which was racing to the outside of Greenfinder, was momentarily inconvenienced.


Race 6:

Class 5 Handicap - 1110m
1st - The Boxer; 2nd – Hurl; 3rd - Sir Teles

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who turned out the gelding for his first local start): “He’s been in work about eleven weeks now. It was a good strong win.”

The time of 1.04.59 represented a New Class Record. The result gave Baldwin a double at the meeting.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Frigate (W. Clasohm) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Prince Lionheart (N. Day). Framboise (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Falconten (K. Forrester) was slow to begin. Sir Teles (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with the hind quarters of Hurl (A. Taylor). The Boxer (M. Palmer) and Consider Yourself (J. Taylor) came together on jumping away. Framboise over-raced for some distance after the start.
N. Day, rider of Prince Lionheart, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 800m, he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Framboise (J. Byrne), which was taken in, forcing Magic Promenade (J. Jones) inwards and as a result Framboise (J. Byrne) had to be checked when tightened for room. N. Day was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 20 November, the expiration of a suspension incurred at Rockhamption on 11 November, and to expire at midnight, 28 November 2008.
Frigate (W. Clasohm), Ima Joker (L. Dittman) and Falconten (K. Forrester) raced wide for the majority of the race. A post-race veterinary examination of Ima Joker failed to reveal any abnormalities. Magic Promenade (J. Jones) bled during the event. Trainer B. Bowditch was advised that the mare would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months.


Race 7:

CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1030m
1st – Zazz; 2nd - Monashee Prince; 3rd - Bellegal

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “In his previous first-up run he was just touched off by Rock On Bye at a Saturday meeting. He’s not the most genuine horse, that’s probably why he does his best work fresh. It was a long chase for him here but persistence paid off.”

The result was so tight here that Stewards put a hold on the result while they had a look at the photo themselves, after which they were happy to confirm the judge’s decision.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Arhindas (A. Coome) was slow to begin. Dr Chicago (M. Palmer) and Page Number (A. Merritt) were slow to begin. App. C. McIver, rider of Zazz, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that approaching the 800m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Dr Chicago (M. Palmer), which had initially been laying in, and further tightening Dr Chicago in on to Bellegal (P. Hammersley), resulting in Bellegal being severely hampered. C. McIver was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 16 November, and to exipre at midnight, 27 November 2008.
Near the 700m, Zazz (C. McIver) had to be steadied off the heels of Hodges Street (D. Craven). Hodges Street was forced to race wide in the early stages. Jovelon (C. Reith) raced wide for the majority of the event.
On the winning post, Page Number (A. Merritt) had to be steadied when inconvenienced by Jovelon, which was taken out by Dr Chicago (M. Palmer).
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Hodges Street, jockey D. Craven stated that from his wide alley he was obligated to do a little bit of work early on his mount to obtain the lead, however Hodges Street was under pressure passing the 600m. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. Stewards will contact trainer B. Baldwin in the days subsequent to the race to ascertain if any abnormality had come to light which may explain the poor performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Hodges Street failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 8:

F&M Class 3 Handicap- 1030m
1st - Fuhrrnatic; 2nd - Kootenannie; 3rd - We've Got Issues

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Egglestone: “She’s been lightly raced because she’s had a few issues but this was a very good first-up run. The distance was short of her best. She’ll go a mile. The key is that she needs to be ridden correctly.”

Jockey Daniel Griffin: “Yeah she’s got a very short burst so timing is everything. She was absolutely flat when she hit the line. Any further and she wouldn’t have lasted, but that is understandable first-up because she hadn’t trialled or anything. Good result.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
We’ve Got Issues (A. Pattillo) was inclined to layout rounding the home turn. Approaching the 300m until the 250m, Kootenannie (R. Goltz) was unable to obtain clear running. Bally Kelly raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Easy Silence, J. Jones stated that after being a little slow to begin, the horse was then obliged to take a position behind the leader. He further added that as a result of being a little slow to begin, he was unable to take up the horse's preferred position in front. He further added this may have contributed to the horse's performance today. Stewards will contact trainer S. Lee in the days subsequent to ascertain if any abnormality had come to light with the horse which may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Easy Silence failed to reveal any abnormalities. A swab sample was taken from Easy Silence.