DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, DEC 27)

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, December 27.

Racing at Doomben on Saturday produced some marvellous performances – and some hiccups.

Liam Birchley produced a training performance of which he can be proud. Birchley only contested two races on the card. He sent out the unbeaten Paprika to score an emphatic victory in the Tommy Smith Slipper Plate. Birchley then saddled the first two runners past the post in the Bernborough Handicap, with Pepperwood just getting the better of the game top weight Rags To Riches close to the line.

There was another scintillating display of sheer acceleration by Youthful Jack. The three-year-old appeared to have the race at his mercy at the weights, but it was the professional manner in which he went about his business that underlined his superior status.

The false start in the first race was a rare occurrence at a Metropolitan meeting, as was Medesano’s ‘run yourself to a standstill’ exhibition.

The gelding dropped jockey Scott Seamer as he burst through the gates prior to the start of the third race. Three laps of the track and more than ten minutes later, later, after showing off escape manoeuvres that included a deft sidestep, well-timed acceleration and a couple of smart u-turns, a very tired Medesano handed himself over to a Clerk Of The Course. It was hard to tell whether the red faces of the two Clerks on duty on the day was caused by exertion or embarrassment. My guess it was a bit of both.

STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT EXTRACT:
From QTC meeting 26.12.08: Trainer M. Thexton was fined $100 for declaring S. Seamer for Angel’s Devil (Race 2) without confirming the engagement.
From GCTC meeting 27.12.08: Trainer L. Birchley was fined $400 for failing to scratch Circumnavigate (Race 2) and El Corona (Race 6).


Race 1:

Class 6, 3YO and Up QTIS Plate - 2120m
1st - Jussemi; 2nd - Dawns Queen; 3rd - Monashee Princess

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Rex Lipp: “I spoke to Scotty (Seamer) beforehand. I’ve been at him, and at him, and at him. I told him this horse can’t sprint. He just can’t take it up quickly. I said, ‘Scotty, if there is no pace on you just make up your mind when you want to go’.
“The thing he has got in his favour is he is a genuine 2000m plus horse. He is a genuine stayer”. (Jussemi finished second behind stable companion Sir Sensible in this year’s running of the Toowoomba Cup). “Also his temperament ... just look at him. Look at the way he walks around. He was one of the first to pull up when they went through the barriers” (at the false start). He’s just so relaxed.”

Jockey Scott Seamer (uncharacteristically beaming after his race winning move in the sweep to the turn): “He’s the type of horse that needs to be on the bit earlier than other horses. With the speed that the race was run, I thought I’d work home a nice 1000m. He’s a staying horse and he probably needs three or four runs to get right and today was his race.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Jussemi): 6.50 out to 7.00 in to 6,00.
Favourite (Monashee Princess): 2.00 out to 2.20 in to 2.00. (Finished third).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jouer Le Jeu reared in the gates, dislodging apprentice L. Rolls, and as a result became cast. A short time later the barriers malfunctioned and opened, resulting in a false start being declared. Jouer Le Jeu was declared a late scratching at 12.22 p.m. by the stewards acting on veterinary advice as a result of the horse being fractious in the barriers. All other runners were restrained by their riders and returned behind the barriers to be vetted. Subsequently Relodge (R. McMahon) was a late scratching at 12.24 p.m. by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice that the horse was exhibiting a marked increase in pulse rate and respiration. Trainer B. Smith will be advised that he must obtain a further barrier certificate for Jouer Le Jeu prior to the horse's next start.
Kazak Flyer (S. Galloway), Latin Idol (J. Bowditch) and Dawns Queen (A. Spinks) over-raced in the early and middle stages. Passing the 1000m Greenfinder (G. Colless) shifted out three wide to improve and was obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event. Passing the 500m Heartland (M. Hellyer), which was endeavouring to shift out to improve, made contact with Greenfinder. Near the 400m Beartracker (E. Wilkinson) had to be checked when attempting a narrow run between Heartland and the tiring Aquaracer (J. Taylor). Latin Idol had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.


Race 2:

F&M NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Fuhrnatic; 2nd - Icedane; 3rd - Sista Kugah

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Eggleston: “Once you get these mares going good they seem to stick with it don’t they? I’d say I was pretty confident this time at the 200m mark, which I’m not normally. She ran a Class Record last time too. She broke an thirteen-year-old Class Record last time and a ten-year-old record this time. She’s on her way up.
“She’s lightly raced. She’s a five-year-old and has only had fourteen starts. That’s not because she’s a cripple or anything like that. In fact she has had no real issues, but just little things have kept her back. She hurt herself and pulled a muscle in her shoulder. Then she kicked a wall and hurt her leg ... and each time I had to tip her out. So that’s why she only had fourteen starts. She’s going pretty well now though. We’ll head for the mares race on Magic Millions day.”

Jockey Jason Holder: “Mel (Eggleston) explained to me that she had a good sprint but that it is a fairly short one, so she won’t give as much as she feels like she will. I just let her stride up after the turn when she was balanced and she was very strong to the line. If she settles, she’ll get further I reckon.”

This was Fuhrnatic’s third win from four starts this preparation. Two of those wins have produced New Class Records. Fuhrnatic’s time of 1-18.92 here lowered the previous best set by Grouse Lane in November 1998. In her previous start Fuhrnatic time of 1-15.60 (over the 1300m at Eagle Farm) eclipsed the previous record which had been held by Nuray since November 1995.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Fuhrnatic)): 3.50 out to 4.40.
Favourite (Beautiful): 3.50 out to 3.60. (Finished fifth).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1300m Pearly Mist (J. Taylor) and Icedane (S. Drake) were momentarily placed in restricted room between Starry Dancer (D. Missen) and Paradise Dancer (C. Dixon). Passing the 1100m Paradise Dancer commenced to over-race and near the 800m shifted out wider off the heels of Miss Monashee and in doing so forced The Pocket Rocket wider. Miss Monashee raced wide in the early and middle stages. Paradise Dancer and The Pocket Rocket raced wide for the majority of the event. Near the 600m Ladyswood (Matthew Palmer) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Miss Monashee, which was taken in by Paradise Dancer. Apprentice C. Dixon, the rider of Paradise Dancer was reprimanded under AR. 137(a). Starry Dancer was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and from passing the 200m had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 300m Beautiful (R. McMahon), which was endeavouring to obtain a run between Kenshe and Icedane (S. Drake), had to be steadied when Icedane shifted out. S. Drake, the rider of Icedane, was reprimanded under AR. 137(a). Beautiful was then obliged to shift back in in an endeavour to obtain clear running, however Beautiful then had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 50m. Where’smine (K. Cunningham) hung out in the straight and near the 50m shifted out and brushed Miss Monashee.
Stewards questioned apprentice C. Dixon regarding his ride on Paradise Dancer, and in particular electing to push out four wide approaching the 800m and sustain a run in an endeavour to obtain the lead approaching the 600m. Apprentice C. Dixon stated that his instructions were that if he was caught wide to allow the horse to stride forward to take up a position. Stewards noted apprentice Dixon's comments, however advised him they believed his ride lacked initiative given that he had a position three wide behind Miss Monashee with cover and that he should have elected to maintain that position.


Race 3:

C,G&E NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Albert Cadabra; 2nd - Another Takeover; 3rd - Primeval Demand

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith: “Everything went well here. He just doesn’t handle the wet. That’s he’s only real weakness. The other day he struggled (but still won) at the Coast when it was a bit damp on the fence. He just kept dipping and dipping. That kid rode him enormous, that young Dittman. Did it easier here.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “He jumped well enough, but then he got spat out towards the back. I said, ’come on, get up there,’ and he took up a fair position. Then in the straight, when I said go, he tested me a bit at first and I thought he wasn’t going to get there, but once he lengthened his stride and got into his rhythm, he was always going to win.”

This was Albert Cadabra’s third win in succession.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Albert Cadabra): 6.00 out to 7.50 in to 7.00.
Favourite (Primeval Demand): 3.00 out to 3.50 in to 4.00. (Finished third).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As J. Holder was to be overweight, E. Wilkinson was substituted as the rider of Ready To Rise. J. Holder was fined $200 under AR. 120(b). Hesashow (L. Rolls) proved difficult to load. Trainer J. Bayliss was advised that Hesashow must perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial prior to its next start. Medesano (S. Seamer) broke through the gates dislodging jockey S. Seamer. The horse then took a considerable time to be captured and was declared a late scratching at 1.44 p.m. by order of the stewards. Battle At Sea (M. Radecker), which reared and struck its head in the barriers, was a late scratching at 1.55 p.m. by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice. Crackaway also broke through the barriers, was quickly restrained by its rider R. Thompson, examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Resounding Victory (M. Hellyer) and Another Takeover (A. Pattillo) jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the 1100m Hesashow, Matzumi (Matthew Palmer) and Bang The Castle (D. Craven) were all obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Indiana Storm (J. Taylor). Indiana Storm and Bang The Castle raced wide for the majority of the event. Near the 900m Matzumi improved up on to the heels of Indiana Storm and had to be steadied. Approaching the 600m Protesta (G. Colless) improved up on to the heels of Revered Ruler (O. Turpin) and shifted out abruptly inconveniencing Indiana Storm. Shortly after straightening Another Takeover had to be checked when momentarily tightened for room between Shuffle The Cash (K. Forrester) and Primeval Demand (P. Hammersley) which shifted out. P. Hammersley, the rider of Primeval Demand was reprimanded under AR. 137(a). Shuffle The Cash had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.


Race 4:

F&M NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Mr Hornblower; 2nd - Vocalic; 3rd - Noble Gaze

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “Tracy (Green) will have set him for this, He is a brilliant horse on his day and he’s got some nice sectionals in his time.” (Then, with regard to his rails hugging finish). “When you are on a horse that is keen on attacking the line it is easier to get through with your run.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Hornblower): 5.50 in to 5.00 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Insistence): 2.10 in to 2.00 out to 2.05. (Finished ninth and last).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Malta (J. Holder) was slow to begin. Rounding the home turn Thin And Crispy (Matthew Palmer) shifted out and made contact with Insistence (Michael Palmer). Stewards opened an inquiry into the running and handling of Insistence. The inquiry was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed. A post-race veterinary examination of Insistence revealed the horse was showing a slightly slower than normal recovery rate.


Race 5:

Vo Rogue Plate - 1350m
1st - Youthful Jack; 2nd - Express Air; 3rd - Yatala

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Robert Thompson: “We knew a moderate tempo could be a danger ... but at the half-mile he was travelling comfortably. Coming to the corner I had to take another hold he was starting to travel that well. When I did let him down, he gathered them in pretty quickly and was a bit cheeky going to the line. He has got really good acceleration. He’ll be three or four lengths off them and the next stride he’ll be right on top of them. That’s the difference between an average horse and a very good horse. I think there is still improvement there. I’m sure he’s going to go a long way.”

Youthful Jack now has the enviable record of having won ten out of his fourteen starts. This win was his third in succession. Youthful Jack has won five-in-a-row in Brisbane and is unbeaten in four goes over the 1350m trip. Co-owner Ross Stitt was the original trainer of the three-year-old when it made its winning debut at Grafton. Stitt sent the horse to trainer Rex Lipp for his first Brisbane campaign where the Lipp / Tony Pattillo combination reeled of three wins, including the Doomben Slipper and the Australia Post victories during the Winter Carnival. The horse then moved south to the stable of Allan Denham for which he has now had four runs, saluting on three of those occasions. In a trophy acceptance speech at Doomben on Saturday, the connections of Youthful Jack paid tribute to the part played by Rex Lipp and Tony Pattillo in helping to build a solid foundation which allowed Youthful Jack to make the move to the next level. It was a nice touch. Ironically, the horse Youthful Jack beat home in the Vo Rogue, Express Air, is trained by Rex Lipp.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Youthful Jack): 1.45 in to 1.35 out to 1.40.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cat D’Antibes (R. McMahon) jumped away awkwardly. High Roll’n Woman (G. Colless) sprawled on jumping away and shifted in inconveniencing Jazz Heart (S. Scriven). Passing the 1200m Jazz Heart commenced to over-race and near the 800m pulled itself up between High Roll’n Woman and Cat D’Antibes where there was insufficient room and as a result Jazz Heart blundered. Black Minx (A. Best) and Youthful Jack (R. Thompson), which were following, were hampered as a consequence. In this incident Navigation (C. Spry) was pushed wide. C. Spry then allowed Navigation to stride forward and obtain a position outside the leader approaching the 600m. Adnocon (K. Pope) raced wide for the majority of the event. Yatala (B. Pengelly) was held up for clear running from rounding the home turn until near the 200m. High Roll’n Woman was also held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight.


Race 6:

Tommy Smith Slipper Plate - 1200m
1st - Paprika; 2nd - Carlton Forward; 3rd - Moonlight Hussey

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “The instructions I gave were to be aggressive out of the gates ... to be one, two three or four. Just to go forward and to let her know what she is supposed to do basically. Also, to get a good, hard, 1200m under her belt. We’ve done enough with her now in terms of education. It was time to get serious. I think there is still more to come from her. She’s still a bit round so I reckon she’ll get a bit of benefit out of this run.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, she’s a lovely filly. She raced a bit patchy today though. She began very welI. I gave her a dig. She sprinted up there. Then she looked to relax. Then she picked up the bit again. Then she relaxed. She was on and off today ... but that’s it, you know, she is still learning. Got a long way to go too, but there’s a lot of natural ability there.
“Liam’s done a great job with her. We worked out there wasn’t much pace in the race. Wouldn’t have minded running second or third, but the ideal world doesn’t always happen. That’s where we’ll be running in the Millions hopefully. She’s got a very good turn of foot which we’ll use to our advantage. This win ended the pressure of the last two weeks. I guess it’s on again now for the next two weeks.”

An extract from an article in the Weekend Sportsman of December 12 reads as follows:
Birchley has been successful in early two-year-old races in Brisbane for many years but says this filly (Paprika) represents something different to any of the two-year-olds he’s ever trained.
“I’ve had horses who won good races early on but it was probably more because they had a physical advantage,” he (Birchley) said. “I haven’t really had a two-year-old that ticks all the boxes and she seems to tick every box.
“She’s done everything you could’ve wanted her to do, her temperament is fantastic and to me she just seems like the perfect racehorse.”

Fast forward two weeks and two feature race wins later and the performances of Paprika (now unbeaten in four starts) stand as a testament to both Birchley’s ability to select a ‘good un’ and the his training expertise in bringing the horses talent to the fore.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Paprika): 1.50 out to 1.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Southport (R. Thompson) jumped out at the start and made contact with Phelan Ready (J. Holder). First Option (C. Spry) was a little slow to begin. Bella Sirena (E. Wilkinson) raced wide throughout. Fairchild had a tendency to lay out from passing the 800m. Passing the 600m Fairchild (B. Pengelly) improved up on to the heels of Phelan Ready and had to be steadied. A post-race veterinary examination of Fairchild failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 7:

Bernborough Handicap - 1630m
1st - Pepperwood; 2nd - Rags To Riches; 3rd - Secrets Untold

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley (whose horse ran the big race quinella): “It was hard for me to separate my two horses going into the race. The one makes his own luck and I thought if there was genuine pace he would be very hard to beat at the weights from there. But if they stopped and started a bit, that lets the other one in. As it turned out the two came together close to the line for nearly the perfect result. Yeah, it is my biggest day at the races in terms of the quality of the races that I’ve won on any day.”

The Birchley stable only contested two races on the day and went home with two Listed race winners and a Listed race quinella.

Jockey Robert Thompson: “Yeah I had a lovely run all the way. I sat midfield, or just behind midfield, and we travelled beautifully. I knew it was going to be hard to run down the old boy (Rags To Riches) when I saw him up there, but I guess we had the weight advantage which made the difference in the end. I just want to thank Liam (Birchley) and his staff for having my horse so fit for me today. We’ve had a bit of success together and it is always a pleasure to ride for the stable.”

Thompson stated he had a ‘lovely run all the way’. He obviously makes light of difficulties encountered in the running, which is possibly one of the reasons why he has ridden the number of winners he has in his time in the saddle. For some of those difficulties, see the references to Pepperwood in the Stewards Report Extract.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Pepperwood): 4.00 out to 4.60.
Favourite (Barlinnie): 5.00 in to 4.00. (Finished ninth).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1600m Nellie Got There (E. Wilkinson) shifted out abruptly resulting in Daunting Lad (Michael Palmer), Rebounded (J. Bowditch), Rags To Riches (S. Scriven), Start’s Flyer (G. Colless), Cocktail Supreme (M. Radecker) and Barlinnie (J. Holder) all being hampered to varying degrees. In this incident Daunting Lad clipped the heels of Nellie Got There and blundered. Trainer J. McLachlan was advised that Nellie Got There must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before it races again.
Approaching the 1400m Pepperwood (R. Thompson) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Start’s Flyer which shifted in. Near the 1300m Pepperwood again had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Strat’s Flyer. G. Colless, the rider of Start’s Flyer, was reprimanded on both occasions.
Cocktail Supreme, Barlinnie and Ashraf (D. Spriggs) raced wide from the early stages until near the 800m. Passing the 600m Jujulio (A. Spinks) shifted out and made contact with Pepperwood. A short distance later Jujulio improved up on to the heels of Stat’s Flyer, had to be steadied and shifted out making further contact with Pepperwood forcing that horse wider. Pepperwood was then obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event. Sequestrate (A. Pattillo) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight. Shortly after straightening Secrets Untold (S. Seamer) forced a run between Pepperwood and Barlinnie and as a result made contact with Barlinnie. Near the 150m Nellie Got there was inconvenienced by Majorca (R. McMahon) which shifted out. When questioned regarding the performance of Start’s Flyer, jockey G. Colless stated that the horse obtained a nice position and travelled well until the home turn, however failed to respond to his riding in the straight. He added that the horse in his opinion raced like a horse that may have come to the end of its preparation. Stewards intend to contact trainer Mr A. Denham in the days subsequent to the event to seek further comment. A post-race veterinary examination of Strat’s Flyer failed to reveal any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance of Barlinnie, jockey J. Holder stated that after there was some interference inside him shortly after the start he was then obliged to take up a position further back than he anticipated and as a result was caught three wide until near the 800m. He added that from that point he obtained a position on the back of Pepperwood, however the horse failed to run on as expected. Trainer T. Bailey A post-race veterinary examination of Barlinnie failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 8:

Class 6 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Firedrake; 2nd - Borsha's Mark; 3rd - Jumaana

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “That makes up a bit for earlier in the day.” (Heinrich was referring to the ‘last past the post’ finish of her mare Insistence, who earlier had started a clear-cut favourite in the fourth race on the card. Stewards opened an inquiry into the running and handling of Insistence). “Never mind. Always nice to go home with a winner.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Firedrake): 5.50 in to 4.20.
Favourite (Borsha’s Mark): 3.60 steady.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bryn Callum (S. Scriven) and Yass River (L. Rolls) were a little slow to begin. Davion (R. Wiggins) over-raced in the early stages. Bryn Callum, Chilled (S. Seamer) and Key Bar Nights (J. Holder) raced wide throughout. In the early stages of the straight Ready When You Are (M. Hellyer) had difficulty obtaining clear running.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT
Horses swabbed
All winners, 2nd place-getters in Races 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8, Insistence and Carlton Forward (pre-race)