EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, NOV 22)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, November 22.

Race 1:

2yo Fillies Handicap - 1000m
1st - Dual Chamber; 2nd – Fairchild; 3rd - Crystal Honour

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Maryann Thexton: “We always thought she was a talented filly but she got her knickers in a knot last time (on debut). We had to go back to the barriers and that to get some things sorted out. She was just so professional this time. She was so genuine and got home beautifully. She’ll go to the paddock now. I think she’ll furnish into a really beautiful filly and she should go well over more ground.”

Jockey Matthew Palmer: “The plan was to try and sit just off the speed but she was outpaced early and dropped back. So she was left chasing in the middle part but, once she balanced up in the straight she really set about her business and hit the line hard.”

Dual Chamber was chased from a wide draw but couldn’t muster the speed required to race in a prominent position. The two favourites Fairchild and Brazilian Express had the race to themselves in the early part. They were tracked by the first-timer Disputed Bid, who switched out at the head of the straight to threaten the two frontrunners. At this stage Dual Chamber was still some four lengths in arrears and, for a brief moment, she continued to mark time as Fairchild won the battle at the head of affairs and skipped clear, looking every inch a winner. Once Palmer angled her out for a run, Dual Chamber reacted with greater urgency and lengthened her stride with meaning. The chase was always going to end in a close call as Dual Chamber cut into the advantage of Fairchild with every stride, and, as the latter tired late, Dual Chamber surge took her past the second favourite in the shadow of the post to win by a neck. The winner Dual Chamber had blinkers on for the first time and tongue tie on for the first time.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 600m, First Option (K. Pope) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Dual Chamber (M. Palmer), which shifted in away from Melrina Miss (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 150m, Dual Chamber shifted out off the heels of Disputed Bid. Disputed Bid (R. Goltz) raced greenly in the straight.
When questioned regarding the performance of Brazilian Princess, L. Dittman stated that, in his opinion, the filly did not feel comfortable in today's rain affected track conditions. A post race veterinary examination of Brazilian Princess failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Winner price fluctuations: 15-1 in to 12-1.
Favourite price fluctuations: 2.40 out to 2.60 (Brazilian Princess – unplaced).


Race 2:

Class 6 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Chilli Magic; 2nd - Our Lukas; 3rd - Seen'em Comin'

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “It was her first time over a mile. The combination of the extra ground and the way she was ridden was the reason for her success. You know she jumps so well that jockeys are tempted to push forward and put her in the race. She hasn’t got a finish if they do that. She just doesn’t have a finish if she is used early. With more ground and a more patient ride, she has more time to relax and then she can build up to a big finish, which is what happened here.”

What also happened here is that a protest was lodged by jockey Sean Cormack, rider of the second placed Our Lukas, against the winner on the grounds of interference that took place in the home straight.

Inside the protest hearing, Cormack stated that Chilli Magic had taken up his horse’s running. He acknowledged that Chilli Magic had gone past him before the incident occurred, but stated that Our Lukas is a horse that takes a bit of time to get going and that he was still very much in the race when Chilli Magic, “drifted onto my horse and took up its running.” Cormack continued saying that Chilli Magic’s inward movement had broken his horse’s momentum. “It took us three or four strides to get going during which time we lost one to two lengths before he rallied back to only be beaten by three-quarters-of-a-length.”

Trainer Robert Heathcote was at one with Cormack’s testimony. Heathcote said, “there is no doubt that severe interference occurred,” and that, in his opinion, “the ground lost exceeded the winning margin. It’s one hundred percent there was severe interference. How much ground it cost I guess is the real question.”

Jockey Jason Holder, rider of Chilli Magic defended his position. “By the 250m mark I was pretty certain that I had all of the runners covered. I got past Sean (Cormack) easily. She did switch off when she hit the front and did drift in a half to one horse width but I think she was a genuine winner of the race.”

Trainer Gillian Heinrich did not attend the protest hearing as she had to saddle a runner in the next race. When she returned, the Stewards were still behind doors, yet to announce the outcome of the protest. Rob Heathcote was waiting outside the Stewards Room when Heinrich walked in.

“I think it is 75 -25,”said Heathcote to Heinrich.
“And am I the 25,”asked Heinrich.
“No, I think they are going to let you keep it,” said Heathcote.
Heathcote was right. The protest was dismissed.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Deception Bay was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon at the barriers at the request of the jockey and was cleared to start.
On return to scale a protest was lodged by S. Cormack, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Our Lukas, against Chilli Magic being declared the winner, alleging interference inside the 200m. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the patrol video, stewards acknowledged that whilst an incident occurred near the 150m where Our Lukas had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Chilli Magic, which shifted in, they could not be satisfied that the interference warranted a reversal of the placings, and therefore the protest was dismissed and the Judge's placings confirmed.
At a subsequent inquiry, J. Holder, rider of Chilli Magic, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 150m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Our Lukas, which resulted in Our Lukas being checked and losing momentum. J. Holder was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 22 November, and to expire at midnight, 5 December 2008.
In the early stages of the straight, Seen’em Comin’ (J. Bowditch) was inclined to lay in. Wind Gusts (S. Galloway) raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Deception Bay, S. Scriven stated that the horse travelled well in the early stages, however when placed under pressure prior to the home turn, the gelding failed to respond to his riding. Trainer Mr B. Brown stated that, in his opinion, Deception Bay had come to the end of its preparation and will be sent for an immediate spell. A post race veterinary examination of Deception Bay failed to reveal any significant abnormalities

Winner price fluctuations: 15-1 out to 17-1.
Favourite price fluctuations: 2-1 out to 3.20 (Deception Bay - unplaced).


Race 3:

3yo Handicap - 1400m
1st - Little Mel; 2nd - Delago Pilli; 3rd - Tikit To Glory

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Scott Galloway: “He over-raced badly in the middle part. Ran onto heels ... nearly fell. Picked himself up from that and just continued to over-race. When I pulled him out in the straight he knuckled down and fought on really well. Once he can learn to settle he’ll be a much better horse. I think they’ll take the blinkers off next time. At least if he’s winning doing all that wrong, it’s a good sign.”

Scott Galloway would have done well in the wide west. The rider had a bumpy ride in transit but emerged to lead a hectic cavalry charge home. From a position in the second half of the field, Galloway pulled Little Mel to the outside turning for home and gradually began a forward move which was to land the duo in the thick of the action by the 200m mark. With runners spread right across the track, Little Mel rallied to get the better of Worthy, who had claimed the lead inside the final 150m, and then kept fighting long enough to keep the fast finishing Delago Pilli and Tikit To Glory at bay.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Queen Of Bling (J. Bowditch) and Little Mel (S. Galloway) were tightened for room on jumping away between Yatala (D. Craven), which shifted out, and Journey On (Matthew Palmer), which shifted in. In this incident, Queen Of Bling blundered. Journey On and Mr Orient raced wide in the early stages. Little Mel (S. Galloway), which commenced to over-race passing the 1200m, shifted out passing the 1000m, forcing Yatala (D. Craven) wider. A short distance later, Little Mel had to be checked off the heels of Delago Pilli (S. Seamer). Little Mel continued to over-race for some distance. Yatala then raced wide for the remainder of the event. Passing the 600m, Delago Pilli shifted out to improve and in doing so made contact with Yatala on several occasions. Rounding the home turn, Little Mel (S. Galloway) shifted out to improve and bumped Tunes Of Gold (J. Holder). Approaching the 300m, Adnocon (K. Pope) was disappointed for a run between Journey On and Mr Orient. Near the 150m, Yatala was momentarily tightened for room between Tikit To Glory (P. Hammersley) and Little Mel (S. Galloway), which shifted in. A post race veterinary examination of Little Mel revealed the gelding to have sustained a laceration to the outside of the near-fore canon.

Winner price fluctuations: 3.50 out to 4-1.
The winner was the favourite.


Race 4:

C.E.B. Barnes Quality Handicap- 2400m
1st - Tariki; 2nd - Dream Gal; 3rd - Pay Me

WINNER FEEDBACK
Jockey Paul Hammersley: “The rider-less horse injected some pace into the race . I was in midfield for a lot of the way but only really felt comfortable when I got on the back of Rezone. I tracked Rezone three wide to the turn and he carried me up to the lead. I asked my horse to kick early and for a while I thought I’d gone too soon, but the old boy kept kicking and he did a good job in the end.”

Hammersley rode a patient race early in the script before shifting out and tracking wide behind Rezone when the runners began to quicken approaching the turn. The gelding easily got to the lead early in the straight and then equally as easily opened up a winning lead to be more than two lengths clear by the 200m mark. Dream Gal did come out of the pack to threaten but Hammersley had measured his run well and Tariki still held a clearcut advantage at the line.

Tariki was scoring his second successive win. This success came on the back of a win over 2020m at Doomben two weeks earlier.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
M. Dorrington, rider of Crowning Prince, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 2350m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Tariki (P. Hammersley), taking that horse in and as a result On The up was tightened for room between Tariki and Rezone (K. Pope), resulting in On The Up losing its position. M. Dorrington was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 22 November, and to expire at midnight 6 December 2008.
P. Hammersley, rider of Tariki, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 2300m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Rezone, resulting in Rezone being steadied when tightened for room between Mr Gold Fire (S. Scriven) and Tariki and shifted out, resulting in On The Up clipping the heels of Rezone, blundering, resulting in S. Cormack being dislodged from On The Up. P. Hammersley was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 2 weeks, to commence at midnight, 22 November and to expire at midnight, 11 December 2008.
Near the 1600m, Crowning Prince (M. Dorrington) had to be checked as a result of the riderless On The Up.
Leaving the 1600m, Grand Corso (S. Seamer), Supreme Agenda (K. Wharton) and Mr Gold Fire (S. Scriven) were all hampered as a result of the riderless On The Up. Rezone (K. Pope) raced 3 wide throughout the race.
A post race veterinary examination of On The Up revealed the gelding had sustained a laceration to the inside of the off-fore fetlock. The club's veterinary surgeon reported that Rezone was suffering from metabolic heat syndrome following the event. He also advised that Derry City had pulled up sore in the off-fore leg. Trainer L. Mayfield-Smith will be advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for that horse prior to its next race start.

Winner price fluctuations: 8-1 out to 10-1 in to 9.50
Favourite price fluctuations: 3-1 out to 3.30 (Mr Gold Fire – unplaced)


Race 5:

2MW 4yo & Up Handicap - 1400m
1st - Pepperwood; 2nd - Onalar; 3rd - Thorondo

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “Oh it’s just good to know that he’s moving in the right direction.”

I pointed out that this is what racing is all about ... win some, lose some – referring to the fact that Birchley’s runner Fairchild had just been touched off in the first race and this one had just got there.

Liam Birchley: “Maybe, or else maybe it’s about the apprentice (Chris McIver) learning how long the straight is. He rode this one with more patience than he did the other one.”

Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “He tends to get back and he did so again ... but he was always travelling well. He wanted to go in the straight and I just let him slide.”

Pepperwood raced towards the rear of the field in the early part. Save A Buck and Dance Girl Dance vied for the lead in the sweep to the turn with Pepperwood moving into contention wide out on the track. The two leaders kicked in the straight with Pepperwood making up ground steadily. At the 120m Dance Girl Dance weakened and Pepperwood loomed large to tackle Save A Buck. The Birchley trained runner got to the head of affairs inside the last 50m, but it was still not ‘race over’ as Onalar and Thorondo both put in spirited late charges. In the end they had to settle for the minor placings.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Pepperwood (C. McIver), which was a little slow to begin, was tightened for room a short distance later between Snow Destiny (A. Taylor) and Onalar (R. Wiggins), which was taken in by Mosta House (Matthew Palmer). Our Jangles (K. Pope) was tightened for room on jumping away between Belles Opinion (K. Wharton) and Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz), which shifted in after jumping away awkwardly. Approaching the 1300m, Snow Destiny, which was over-racing, had to be steadied off the heels of Thorondo (J. Bowditch) and shifted in abruptly, hampering Pepperwood (C. McIver). Snow Destiny then continued to over-race for some distance.

Winner price fluctuations: 3.60 out to 4.80
Favourite price fluctuations: 4-1 out to 4.60 (Save A Buck – unplaced)


Race 6:

Class 6 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Albert The Fat; 2nd - Borsha's Mark; 3rd - Main Vein

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls (who was celebrating a birthday): “We settled just worse than midfield and we were travelling very well. When we turned into the straight there was no one outside me so I just switched into the clear. He quickened up beautifully and came home strong.”

Luke Rolls only took one ride on his birthday and the result gave him another reason for celebration. Both horse and rider performed perfectly. The duo sat in midfield, one off the fence until the approach to the turn. A quick look over his left shoulder and Rolls found he was able to shift out on his own terms. With nobody coming up behind him, Rolls could select exactly where he wanted to make his run. Once in the clear, Albert The Fat began to extend his stride and, in a perfectly times chase, Albert The Fat went past Borsha’s Mark when it mattered most to score a most impressive win first-up to complete his fourth successive victory. Albert the Fat is trained by Eden Petrie.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Kanpeki (E. Wilkinson) and Consider Yourself (C. McIver) came together on jumping away. Albert The Fat (L. Rolls) and Pelltro (K. Pope) were placed in restricted room on jumping away between Main Vein (J. Holder) and Catchit (M. Radecker), which shifted in. Pietro Vannici (A. Coome) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1000m, Albert The Fat (L. Rolls), which was over-racing, had to be steadied off the heels of Red Sphere (C. Reith). The Boxer (Matthew Palmer) raced wide throughout.

Winner price fluctuations: 2.30 in to 2,25 out to 2.60
The winner was the favourite.


Race 7:

Keith Noud Quality Handicap - 1200m
1st -Forestreno; 2nd - Cocktail Supreme; 3rd - Black Ink

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Phil McLeod: “We were quietly confident. He dropped 6,5kg from his last run so we thought he’d go well. That race is exactly what getting winners is all about. It’s all about getting them ridden right. Joe (Bowditch) rode him a treat. I do feel sorry for Tony Pattillo though. He would have been on him if he were not suspended.”

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “I sat in the same place I did the last time I rode him. The trainer told me if I rode him the same way he should be hard to beat ... and so it proved. He travelled well and I always thought I was going to win in the straight. Just the last little bit he was knocking up a bit, but it had been a tough race so there was nothing wrong with that. He had done enough.”

Bowditch settled Forestreno in fourth spot right on the back of the speed. The gelding thus had an ideal position from which to launch his challenge and he produced a strong, measured run all the way down the home straight which proved too strong for his opposition.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1000m, Forestreno (J. Bowditch) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Dance The Waves (J. Holder), which shifted in. Nexgen (K. Pope) over-raced in the middle stages and near the 700m had to be steadied off the heels of Daunting Lad (S. Scriven). Near the 300m, Nexgen (K. Pope) was disappointed for a run between Vocalic (R. Goltz) and Nuclear Medicine (S. Thurlow). In the early stages of the straight, Thin And Crispy (P. Hammersley) was momentarily held up for clear running. Mystery City raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Nuclear Medicine, S. Thurlow stated that the horse raced in a forward position, as per its normal racing pattern, however the gelding failed to sprint in the straight as expected, its run having ended passing the 150m. A post race veterinary examination of Nuclear Medicine failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Trainer G. Yorke will be requested to advise stewards of any abnormality which may come to light with Nuclear Medicine that may come to light which may have had a bearing on the performance.

Winner price fluctuations: 10-1 out to 11-1
Favourite price fluctuations: 3.00 out to 3.80 (Nuclear Medicine – unplaced)


Race 8:

NMW Handicap - 1000m
1st - Sequablue; 2nd - Bazzooka; 3rd - Covet Gold

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “The plan was to get her across without chasing her. She has got natural speed so we thought we would use it, but just place her where she was comfortable. Once we got a reasonable position the plan was just to wait it out ... to hold off on asking her for her finishing effort for as long as possible. Then to let her go and hope she would have enough fight to finish off the job. Everything worked out well.”

Sky Channel reporter Larry Olsen (who was seen advising Owen Turpin at various stages of the day). “You know, I always tell these boys that they have got to think about things. Successful jockeys put a lot of thought into their riding tactics. You don’t always have to go with the obvious like chasing your horse from a bad draw – particularly in the 1000m races here. There is only one turn you have to worry about. You have to take aim at the position you want to be in and then work out the best way to get there for your horse to still be competitive in the finish. I spoke to Owen about how I would have ridden this horse. He put the plan into effect and it worked.”

I suggested that there is one thing better than giving good advice to apprentice jockeys. That is when they take it.”

Larry Olsen: “You know what you say is absolutely true. I can tell you of times when I’ve been speaking to some young riders, trying to help them, and I can see in the faces that my advice is going in one ear and out the other. They are not really interested. Owen (Turpin) is not like that. He wants to learn. That’s why he is starting to do well.”

Sequablue jumped well from a wide draw. Turpin positioned his mount back in fifth and then sixth position, staying wide but travelling in comfortable fashion. The mare duly put in the big bounds when given her head in the home straight. Bozzooka also came through the field on the back of Sequablue and laid down a determined challenge to apply pressure in the closing stages, but the Barry Baldwin trained mare was not to be denied and she stayed on claim her seventh career success.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after straightening, Azzason (D. Craven) had to be momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of Bazzooka (S. Seamer), which shifted out. Approaching the 400m, Courtyard Circle (Michael Palmer) had to be checked when tightened for room between Pat Attack and Azzasson, which improved quickly around the heels of Bazzooka, which also shifted out slightly. At a subsequent inquiry, stewards were unable to attribute blame on any one rider, however advised both S. Seamer (Bazzooka) and D. Craven (Azzason) to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 400m, Covet Gold shifted in and bumped Youcantseeme (J. Bowditch).
Between the 200m and 100m, Youcantseeme had difficulty obtaining clear running. Approaching the winning post, Covet Gold shifted in, taking Youcantseeme in on to Vulcan (L. Dittman). Vulcan, Sequablue (O. Turpin) and Pat Attack (S. Apthorpe) raced wide throughout.
Jockey S. Apthorpe, rider of Pat Attack, was fined $100 under AR137A2(b) in that he used he used his whip excessively on his mount when it was out of contention. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account the lower level of his breach and also his good previous record.
Winner price fluctuations: 8-1 in to 7-1
Favourite price fluctuations: Steady at 6-1 (Bazzooka - second)