EAGLE FARM REVIEW (WED, OCT 29)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, October 29.

Race 1:

3yo CG&E Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Rocking Rooney; 2nd - Social Cat; 3rd - De Dion Bouton

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Balzen: “We thought we had a very nice horse at the start. He trialled well and we were offered $100 000 for him before he’s ever raced. The connections knocked back that offer. I mean knocked it back outright. The horse was never vetted or anything. It just wasn’t for sale.
“Then he ran a good third on his debut and we still felt we were on the right track. But he’s been disappointing since then. Last time they went too slow. Shave (Scriven) came in and was dirty with himself. He said he should have let him go instead of sitting playing jockeys with the rest of them. This time we thought we’d bring him back in distance and ride him back, hoping there would be some speed in the race which would allow him to come home well.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, he a funny horse. I rode him when he finished third in his first start and he looked a pretty useful sort, but he’s taken this long to find his feet. I was very happy where I was in the run and when he moved forward it looked like he was going to win easy. But when he hit the front he switched off and I had to keep reminding him that he wasn’t finished yet.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lotachoc (P. Hammersley) was severely hampered on jumping away between A Scarletpimpernel (K. Pope) and De Dion Bouton (K. Wharton), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in. Near the 1000m, De Dion Bouton (K. Wharton), which was over-racing, shifted out, forcing Super Moon (J. Byrne) wider on the track. Super Moon was then obliged to improve forward to obtain a position closer to the fence. De Dion Bouton continued to over-race for some distance. Passing the 500m, A Scarletpimpernel shifted out off the heels of Super Moon and in doing so forced Social Cat (M. Radecker) wider.


Race 2:

3yo Fillies Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Yatala; 2nd - Plain Magic; 3rd – Tikit To Glory

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “This is her second run for me. We thought she was good enough to win last time when she finished second. She didn’t quite handle the rain-effected ground and that cost her a bit. She was more comfortable with the ground today and going up in distance (from 1100m to 1200m) suited. She’s ideally looking for 1400m.”

Jockey: Brad Pengelly: “She needed the run last time (after a two month break and relocation). I thought she needed to improve and would improve and Tony (Crane) has got her to do just that. He’s a good trainer.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rounding the home turn, Silver Whisper (S. Cormack) shifted out on to the heels of Jensway (M. Bennett) and had to be steadied. Approaching the 300m, Justly Proud (K. Wharton) improved on to the heels of the tiring Never Touched (R. McMahon) and had to be steadied. Silver Whisper (S. Cormack) raced greenly in the straight.A post race veterinary examination of Never Touched, which compounded in the straight, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

This win took Brad Pengelly to an outright lead at the top of the Jockeys Metropolitan Premiership ladder – a position he would hold until Glen Colless also lifted his total for the season to fifteen winners three races later.


Race 3:

Maiden 4yo & Up Handicap - 1200m
1st - Beautiful; 2nd - Knuckles; 3rd - Alpha Town

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “What’s it like going to the races without having a winner?” (The Smith stable has been a regular winner for several weeks now).
“It’s my first win for the owners. She’s a nice looking mare isn’t she? Some would say ‘beautiful’. That’s how she got her name actually. (Co-owner) Lisa (Morton) phoned and asked how the horse was going. I said, ‘beautiful’. She said, ‘that’s what we’ll call it then.’ They couldn’t believe the name was still available.”

Jockey Ric McMahon: “She settled beautifully. She’s not all there in her action yet. She knows how to run but isn’t quite sure of herself.”

The run cost Ric McMahon time. The rider was found guilty of a careless riding charge (see Stewards Report Extract).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey R. McMahon, rider of Beautiful, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 1100m he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount shifting in when insufficiently clear of Heza Guru (C. Reith), which in turn was taken in across the rightful running of Heir Express (S. Galloway), resulting in Heir Express having to be checked. R. McMahon was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 2 November and to expire at midnight, 12 November 2008
Passing the 1100m, Propheteer (M. Palmer) was placed in restricted room between Jodie’s Gift (J. Taylor), which shifted in slightly, and Kyuss (D. Craven), which was taken out slightly by Don’t Push Me (G. Colless).
Near the 1000m, Propheteer, which had been obliged to race in restricted room for some distance, had to be steadied when further tightened for room by Kyuss, which shifted out slightly, and Jodie’s Gift, which was taken in by Alpha Town (A. Merritt). A. Merritt, rider of Alpha Town, was reprimanded. Approaching the 700m, when the pace eased, Knuckles (M. Radecker) improved up on to the heels of Alpha Town (A. Merritt) and had to be steadied. Beautiful (R. McMahon) and Heza Guru (C. Reith), which were following, were hampered in consequence. Propheteer (M. Palmer) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Kyuss failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 4:

Maiden Plate - 1500m
1st – Unapred; 2nd – Smartness; 3rd - Rhidan's Chant

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Shaun Dwyer: “He was injured as a youngster. The guy who broke him in was loading him into the truck when he reared up and crushed his wither. Probably because of that injury he’s been inclined to hang out quite badly in races. He didn’t do it so badly today and he’s building up nicely in distance” (jumped from 1200m on debut to 1500m here).
“I might give him another run this prep, in fact I probably will, but I’m really tempted to put him out until after Christmas, just to let him grow into himself. I think he’ll end up being a nice ten furlong horse.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “Yeah, he’s had his problems. I rode him last time and he wanted to hang out there, but the winner was probably just too good for him anyway. I didn’t ride him in the previous start, but knowing what he is capable of I’m sure he must have been a handful. He’s getting better though.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1000m, Unapred (J. Byrne) and Rhidan’s Chant (R. Wiggins) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Young Prince (A. Coome), which was taken in by Bootooloo (C. Reith). C. Reith, rider of Bootooloo, was reprimanded. Passing the 900m, In The Move (G. Colless) improved up on to the heels of Kayjay (P. Wolfgram) and had to be steadied and shifted out, forcing Dolphin Quest (L. Rolls) wider on the track. Near the 800m, Kayjay shifted out abruptly across the heels of In The Move and had to be checked. Trainer N. Owen was advised that Kayjay must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards prior to its next race start. A post race veterinary examination of Kayjay failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Arcangela (R. McMahon) raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the performance of In The Move, G. Colless stated that he rode the horse quiet today and although he was able to improve his position approaching the home turn, In The Move was under pressure a short distance later and failed to respond to his riding thereafter. A post race veterinary examination of In The Move failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 5:

Fillies & Mares Class 4 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Outer Pole; 2nd - Dell Amby; 3rd - Created

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brett Dodson: “She’s very consistent. We bought her from Melbourne. She’s had seven starts for me for three wins and three seconds. She hadn’t been tried over more than 1300m when she came to me. She’s bred to go more ground and she’s been doing it well. She earned her chance up here (in the city). I just wanted her to settle and be ridden quietly. The rail being out so far was a worry, but Glen (Colless) rode her a treat.”

This win lifted Colless to joint top spot in the Metropolitan Jockey’s Premiership with fifteen winners to date (matching that of Brad Pengelly).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1200m, Spanish Kiss (D. Griffin) had to be eased to avoid the heels of Lots Of Success (M. Radecker), which shifted in. A short distance later, Cosmic Cruz (A. Spinks) also had to be eased to avoid the heels of Lots Of Success, which shifted in. M. Radecker, rider of Lots Of Success was reprimanded and advised to be sure she was clear when shifting ground in future. Dell Amby (A. Coome) was inclined to shift ground under pressure outwards in the straight.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Lots Of Success, M. Radecker was unable to offer any explanation for today's performance. Trainer Mr P. Duff stated that the mare may not have been suited by the distance of today's event and that the horse may have come to the end of its preparation. Mr Duff added that the horse would now be given an ease up and he may in future limit the mare's races to shorter distances. A post race veterinary examination of Lots Of Success failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 6:

Class 5 Handicap - 1300m
1st – Kanpeki; 2nd - Albert Cadabra; 3rd - Falzig

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin (who rode his second city winner): “She jumped well. I just settled her until the turn. Then I pulled her out at the top of the straight and she kicked on beautifully.”

Trainer Greg Kennedy was not at the track. He was at the Magic Millions Sales at the Gold Coast.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ace Arena (M. Hellyer), which was fractious in the barriers, blundered on jumping away, losing ground. Rounding the home turn, Supercilious (M. Palmer), which was endeavouring to obtain a run between Kanpeki (O. Turpin) and Ace Arena (M. Hellyer) where there was doubtful room, shifted out across the heels of Ace Arena and had to be checked. Near the 150m, Diamond Sapphire had to be checked when tightened for room between Albert Cadabra, which shifted out, and Falzig, which was taken in by Kanpeki. App. L. Rolls, rider of Albert Cadabra pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 150m he contributed to Diamond Sapphire having to be checked by permitting his mount to shift out. His licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 2 November and to expire at midnight, 8 November.
O. Turpin, rider of Kanpeki, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he allowed his mount to shift in near the 150m. when insufficiently clear of Falzig, which was taken in onto Diamond Sapphire, thus contributing to that horse having to be checked. Apprentice Turpin was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 5 meetings, to commence at midnight, 6 November, the expiration of a previously incurred suspension, and to expire at midnight, 13 November.


Race 7:

Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st – Hurl; 2nd – Snorkel; 3rd - Best Bid/Gun Salute

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor: “Gee that tracks a bit jarry, or maybe it just feels that way to me. I had my wisdom teeth out on Monday and I could feel every bump along the way. I was never going to get back. That’s all I needed, a clod of earth in my mouth.
“The horse was back in distance from a wide draw. I thought I’d just go out and take no prisoners. I’d thought I’d just go out and win.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Holder, rider of Le Celibataire, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 1000m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Best Bid (M. Radecker), which had to be steadied to avoid heels and shifted in, taking Mona Star (R. McMahon) inwards, resulting in Gun Salute (D. Craven) being taken in, tightening the running of Gelmood(C. Reith) and Silvern(S. Cormack), both of which had to be severely checked. J. Holder was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 9 meetings, to commence at midnight, 1 November and to expire at midnight, 14 November 2008.
Best Bid (M. Radecker) raced wide throughout.


Race 8:

CG&E Class 4 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Our Lukas; 2nd - No Technique; 3rd - Cole Trickle

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “It’s a very satisfying win for me because it is the horse’s first win in its first run for the new owner. I’m delighted for him. The old owners asked me to find a buyer and I found one for $55 000. It is a very good result all around.”

This win took Heathcote five winners clear at the top of the Metropolitan Trainers Premiership, three months into the season.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bearhart Lad (A. Coome) was tightened for room on jumping away between Prized Packet (R. McMahon) and Tetra (C. Reith), which shifted in after initially being taken in by Life’s Short (P. Hammersley). As a result, A. Coome, rider of Bearhart Lad, momentarily lost the use of his near-side iron. Prized Packet (R. McMahon) over-raced in the early stages. Rabbitnagina (S. Thurlow) was slow to begin and then was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event. Near the 800m, Our Lukas (S. Scriven) improved up on to the heels of Voltabolta (M. Palmer) and had to be steadied. No Technique(O. Turpin) which was following, shifted out abruptly to avoid the heels of Our Lukas, and in doing so hampered Rabbitnagina. Voltabolta lost its near fore plate in running.

General
Jockey D. Craven pleaded guilty to a charge under AR87(b) in that he had in his possession a safety vest which had been modified. D. Craven was fined $500.