IPSWICH REVIEW (WED, NOV 5)

A review of the meeting held at Ipswich on Wednesday, November 5.

Race 1:

QTIS 3yo Handicap - 800m
1st - First Night Fever; 2nd - Lethal Intent; 3rd - Miss Blackwood

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Andrew Williamson: “I wanted to geld him after his first prep but he was very sick and I didn’t want to add to the stress. So I left it and brought him back for a couple of runs, but he was still wayward. Then went ahead and gelded him and the result speaks for itself.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Flicka Light (J. Murphy), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Miss Blackwood (K. Pope) and Second Hand Mac (S. Bogenhuber), which shifted out after knuckling over at the start. Miss Blackwood, which had a tendency to lay out throughout the event, shifted out near the 400m, forcing Lethal Intent (L. Dittman) wider on the track. Near the 200m, Second Hand Mac (S. Bogenhuber) shifted in abruptly near the 200m and had to be steadied. Medesano (L. Dittman) was obliged to race 3 wide throughout.


Race 2:

3yo & Up Handicap - 1020m
1st - Kelly; 2nd - Morcombe; 3rd - Willyclang

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Garry Kirkup: “Yeah, Scottie was pretty keen to come and ride him. (This was jockey Scott Seamer’s only ride for the day). I’ve only had the horse for four runs now and Scott won on him first time out for me. He was beaten in dead going over 1200m in the second start and then his run last time, when he came back from a spell, wasn’t bad at all as he was held up on the turn. We thought we had the best horse in the race but a big weight is always a worry.”

Jockey Scott Seamer: “I was happy to come for the ride. Gary got him from Gerald Ryan. I won on him at Coloundra on Cup day there. Then we were beaten over 1200m in dead going last time. He pulled up a bit tender there, but basically he’s a 1000m horse. That’s his go. So Gary will be looking to find some 1000m races for him.
“The weight (59kg) wasn’t a problem. He’s a big strong horse and can cope with it. I mean he does carry Garry’s weight in training, after-all.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After beginning awkwardly, Blue Jupiter (M. Speers) was slow into stride. Willyclang (A. Spinks) commenced to buck shortly after the start. Trainer R. Coveney was advised that Willyclang must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Leaving the 800m, The Darkcee (B. Payne) began to race ungenerously and shifted out, taking Blue Jupiter (M. Speers) wider on the track. The Darkcee continued to race ungenerously and hung out badly rounding the home turn, resulting in the horse making contact with the outside running rail. As a result of injuries sustained in this incident, The Darkcee was subsequently euthanased on humane grounds Apprentice M. Speers was reprimanded for failing to weigh in on the 5th place-getter, Blue Jupiter.


Race 3:

CG&E Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Encosticated; 2nd - Medesano; 3rd - Liquidate

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Glenn Clunes: “He had a long time off (ten months) but that was only to allow him to mature. The benefit is there to see in his two runs since he came back. He was just touched off first-up and now has won here. We expect him to get better with more ground.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “There are still some issues to iron out with him but he’s a horse with a future if he learns. This was his only second run back and he is looking for more ground so it was a good result.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Elate And Excite (J. Piper) began awkwardly, resulting in J. Piper losing her balance in the early stages. Near the 800m, Diamond Zak (D. Griffin) had to be steadied when tightened for room when racing between Encostigated (S. Scriven) and Delezio (R. Goltz), both of which shifted ground. Medesano lost if near hind plate in running.


Race 4:

F&M Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Havanaise; 2nd - Hitno Bay; 3rd - Eclise

WINNER FEEDBACK:
In spite of not having the easiest of passages, Havanaise justified her short price with a dominating display which saw her come home 3.00 lengths clear of the chasing pack. There was a moment of slight concern when the mare was held up for a run in the straight, but apprentice Matthew Palmer was more than equal to the task and he successfully guided the four-year-old into daylight and on to a clear-cut victory.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Havanaise (M. Palmer) was tightened for room on jumping away between Pamela’s Wonder (C. Small) and Eclise (C. Reith), which shifted out. Rosebrn (C. McIver) shifted in and made contact with Overrated (A. Spinks) at the start. Near the 1100m, Pamela’s Wonder (C. Small) had to be steadied off the heels of Havanaise (M. Palmer), which shifted out. My Big Bird (D. Barron) shifted ground under pressure over the final 300m. Havanaise (M. Palmer) was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and until leaving the 200m. Express Miss (R. Goltz) raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 5:

QTIS Class 1 Handicap - 1700m
1st - Overruling; 2nd - Femme Lien; 3rd - Esquivar

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “Third run back, picking up in distance so I was expecting improvement. Was I happy that he (jockey Christian Reith) went so early? No, I wasn’t. I was very worried actually. (Then light-heartedly) I thought I might have to hang him out to dry if he’d got it wrong. Or rather, perhaps you can say that, at the 200m mark, the jockey was more confident than the trainer.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 300m, Heartland (L. Dittman) was held up for a short distance when disappointed for a run between Laurinel Beauty (A. Pattillo) and Femme Lien (S. Scriven). Laurinel Beauty (A. Pattillo) and Nayriddam were caught racing wide for the majority of the event. Fionn Mac Cool lost its near fore plate in running.


Race 6:

Class 3 Handicap – 1350m
1st -Murphy's Creek; 2nd - King Of Spirit; 3rd - Wind Gusts

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He’s been disappointing. He’s come up looking like he was going to win a few times only to get beat – and I thought he was going to do it again today. This (1350m) is probably about as far as he wants it. He’s bred to go five miles, but this distance looks to be about it.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Murphy’s Creek (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Lezant (S. Bogenhuber) and Wind Gusts (D. Griffin) came together and bumped on jumping away. Lezant had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.


Race 7:

F&M Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Condoleezza; 2nd - Cachaca; 3rd - Fast End

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Sears: “She’s got fair ability and I think if she’s kept to Fillies and Mares races she can keep holding her own.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards acceded to a request from trainer B. Guy to scratch Marriedtoaprince following the downgrading of the track to Slow 7 at 3.08 pm. Sirena Ligera (S. Scriven) shifted out at the start, forcing Jezzamine (D. Griffin) wider. Near the 800m, Condoleezza (C. McIver) had to be steadied off the heels of Sirena Ligera, which was taken in by Jezzamine (D. Griffin), which shifted in abruptly. Nattsukee (D. Green) and Char Innocent (S. Bogenhuber), which were trailing, had to be steadied as a consequence. Approaching the 300m, Toboulio (J. Murphy) was tightened for room between Nattsukee and Condoleezza, which shifted out to improve.
When questioned regarding the tactics and overall performance of Jezzamine, D. Griffin explained that he was instructed to put the horse into the race in the early stages as he was advised that the mare had raced successfully in that position interstate. Trainer J. Wallace confirmed the instructions to jockey Griffin and further explained that he had been disappointed with the mare's performances in previous starts and felt that it would be advantageous if Jezzamine was ridden in a more forward position today. Both D. Griffin and J. Wallace confirmed their disappointment with the mare's overall performance today. Mr Wallace added that it would be his intention not to continue with the horse's current racing program.


Race 8:

CG&E Class 1 Handicap- 1200m
1st - Chaski; 2nd - Coxswain; 3rd - Conchenka

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “This is his first run for me. He has come back fresh after a spell. Very pleased with the way he finished off. Had to get to the other horse (Coxswain) but he always seemed to have his measure.”

Chaski gave jockey Shane Scriven his second winner at the meeting.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Wide Bay (J. Murphy) blundered on jumping away. Leaving the 400m, Black Count (P. Hammersley) had to be steadied off the heels of Stand And Fire (D. Craven), which was taken out by Chaski (S. Scriven). Wide Bay and Stefenick (C. Eaton) raced wide for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Black Count, P. Hammersley stated that, in his opinion, the gelding failed to handle the prevailing track conditions.