EAGLE FARM REVIEW (FRI, DEC 26)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Friday, December 26.

STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
From SCTC, 21.12.08
Trainer P. Duff reported that Knuckles, which performed below expectations, had pulled up well, however he was of the opinion that the horse may not have handled the hot weather on the day. He further added that Knuckles would now be sent for a short spell.

Race 1:

Maiden Plate - 1600m
1st - Hell Week; 2nd - Commanche Warrior; 3rd - Chi Chi Grande

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gary Wells: “He’s been consistent enough prior leading up to this breakthrough. Last time I thought he was a good thing, but the 57kg in the heavy going got to him at the end. There wasn’t one thing that made the difference today. It’s always come down to a combination of things. Today it was a mix of the 54.5kg, the extra ground, the inside draw – and a good ride”

Winner (Hell Week): 13.00 out to 18.00 in to 17.00.
Favourite (Saint Minerva): 5.00 steady. Finished ninth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer L. Manzelmann was fined $50 for presenting AUSBRED ICON late to the enclosure. Brilliant Ween over-raced in the early stages. Commanche Warrior (S. Scriven) raced wide in the early stages and was obliged to push forward to obtain a position closer to the fence. Near the 800m, Saint Minerva improved up on to the heels of Ausbred Icon (A. Spinks) and had to be steadied, shifting out, forcing Chi Chi Grande out on to Pleasure Shot. Chi Chi Grande then was obliged to race wide for the remainder of the race. Shortly after straightening, Young Prince (B. Pengelly) was disappointed for a run between Langtime (M. Hellyer) and the tiring Seventeen Black (D. Craven). Approaching the 300m, Damashqui shifted out and bumped Probability (S. Galloway). Near the 300m, Saint Minerva had to be steadied when tightened for room between Pleasure Shot, which shifted in slightly, and Probability, which after being bumped by Damashqui shifted out. Gold Rating (A. Taylor) raced wide for the majority of the event. Pleasure Shot raced wide throughout. A. Spinks (Ausbred Icon) and C. McIver (Arakawa) were both reprimanded regarding their use of whips on horses out of contention.


Race 2:

QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Sarge In Charge; 2nd - Motown Lady; 3rd - Big Tony

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “We bought him as a stayer and we obviously hoping he is going to go on with it. It’s a pretty promising start to his career winning a 1000m race as a two-year-old. He qualifies for the big Karaka race in New Zealand now and we’d be mad not to take up the opportunity. They go the same way around as Brisbane. There is option to hitch a ride back with New Zealand Bloodstock horses straight from the Magic Millions so I’ll check that out. That should work out well.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah mate, I’d like to go to New Zealand and take the Kiwi’s money. He did it very well today so he certainly deserves the chance.”

Winner (Sarge In Charge): 3.80 in to 3.50 out to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As S. Seamer was dually engaged for Devil’s Angel and Umanugget, B. El-Issa was substituted as the rider of Devil’s Angel. Stewards adjourned an inquiry into this matter until trainer M. Thexton, trainer of Devil’s Angel, could be interviewed. Daneready (A. Taylor) had to be steadied on jumping away to avoid the heels of Felony Flight (B. Pengelly), which after jumping away awkwardly shifted in.
False Accusation (R. McMahon) was slow to begin. Near the 800m, Devil’s Angel (B. El-Issa) had to be steadied off the heels of Lucky Deluchi (T. Treichel). Passing the 700m, Felony Flight (B. Pengelly) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Falls Creek (G. Colless), which shifted in. Daneready (A. Taylor) raced ungenerously passing the 800m until shortly after straightening. Leaving the 600m, the saddle on Devil’s Angel shifted to the near-side, placing jockey B. El-Issa at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event. Near the 200m, Daneready shifted in abruptly of its own accord. False Accusation (R. McMahon) and Umanugget raced wide throughout. Big Tony lost its off-fore plate in running.


Race 3:

F&M Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Zero Rock; 2nd - Acquired; 3rd - Decibella

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “He didn’t get the 1300m two runs back and that’s the only pity about her. She is such a professional racehorse, but she doesn’t stay any further. The way she travels and goes about her business would have made her an ideal candidate for that Magic Millions three-year-old race (which Pengelly won last year on Heart Of The Citi), but she doesn’t stay so that takes care of that. There’ll be other races for her though. She is a very talented horse.”

Winner (Zero Rock): 1.40 out to 1.45.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As M. Radecker was to be overweight, T. Treichel was substituted as the rider of Miss Mataya. M. Radecker was fined $100. Pagan County (Michael Palmer) jumped away awkwardly. Passing the 700m, Covet Gold (Matthew Palmer) had to be steadied off the heels of She’s Got Game (K. Wharton). Red Letter Daze (R. McMahon) was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight, and near the 350 was disappointed for a run to the inside of Linconi (O. Turpin). Red Letter Daze was then obliged to shift out to obtain clear running. Near the 200m, Pagan County improved up on to the heels of Miss Mataya (T. Treichel) and had to be steadied. Pagan County then had difficulty obtaining clear running for a short distance thereafter. She’s Got Game (K. Wharton) and Coxless (C. Reith) raced wide throughout. Acquired lost its off-fore plate in running. She’s Got Game (K. Wharton) lost its near-hind plate in running.


Race 4:

3yo Handicap - 1500m
1st - Woorim; 2nd - Fiesty Manner; 3rd - Lifebuoy

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “I learnt my lesson last time when we were on the stand thinking On The Fridge couldn’t win. You also don’t worry as much when you got Colless on board. He is such an outstanding jockey. We’ve just kept stepping him up in training and stepping him up and it looks like it’s worked. Maybe middle distance is his go, maybe a mile. It’s quite exciting getting this result because we know how good his brother was and if he proves to be half as good as My Limit we’ll be laughing.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “We got that far back I intended to ride for luck. But then I thought there is just too much traffic to contend with so I decided to switch him out into the clear and allow him an uninterrupted run home. He had to respond well if he was going to get there and he did just that.”

Winner (Woorim): 3.50 out to 3.80 in to 3.40.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rothera (B. Pengelly) jumped away awkwardly. Passing the 1100m, Don’t Tell Daddy (M. Hellyer), which was over-racing, improved to the inside of Mr Orient (J. Taylor) where there was insufficient room and had to be steadied. Nortepoppy (A. Pattillo) raced wide in the early stages and obliged to push forward to obtain a position one off passing the 800m. Passing the 1000m, Privileged Class (Matthew Palmer) commenced to hang out and did so for the remainder of the event. Trainer H. Norman was advised that Privileged Class must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before its next race start. Circlework (S. Galloway) was inconvenienced rounding the home turn by Privileged Class, which shifted out when hanging out. Near the 100m, Upi Bay (K. Pope) shifted out and brushed Don’t Tell Daddy. Lifebuoy (A. Spinks) lost its near fore plate in running.


Race 5:

1MW Handicap - 1600m
1st - Pyramids; 2nd - Iluva Queenslander; 3rd - The Cavern Club

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Stable foreman Matthew Dunn (for the Gerald Ryan stable in Murwillumbah): “He just keeps putting in so well. He’s going from strength to strength. (This was Pyramids’ fourth win from five starts since transferring north). “He’ll get three or four days off in the paddock now.”

Jockey Matthew Palmer: “It was interesting because he was definitely more charged up than he usually is before the race, but it made absolutely no difference to him once the gates opened. He did exactly what he did in his last two wins. He allows you to position him where you want him. He kicks as soon as you ask and he keeps at it till the race is one. The runs have almost a carbon copy of each other. It might sound like a strange description, but it’s almost been a fairy-tale the way this horse has come on since he has been up here. He’s got three weeks until his next run and that break should suit him ideally.”

Winner (Pyramids): 3.00 out to 3.10 in to 2.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On jumping away Doug’s Mate (G. Colless), Telestah La Vistah (T. Treichel) and In Phuket (L. Rolls) were tightened for room between Iluva Queenslander (R. McMahon), which shifted in slightly, and Lucky Luna (S. Seamer), which shifted out. In this incident, Doug’s Mate clipped the heels of Telestah La Vistah and blundered. Intemperate (A. Pattillo) and Spectacular Pic (A. Taylor) were both slow to begin. In the early stages of the straight, The Cavern Club (A. Spinks) was momentarily held up for clear running. Passing the 100m, Lucky Luna (S. Seamer), which had been endeavouring to obtain a narrow run between Jacaranda Charm (K. Forrester) and Sun For Sale (S. Galloway) for some distance, had to be steadied when disappointed for that run. Iluva Queenslander shifted considerable ground inwards under pressure inside the 100m.


Race 6:

Class 6 3yo & Up Plate - 1400m
1st - Red Sphere; 2nd - Thorondo; 3rd - Calm Before

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Glen Colless: “He was fancied last time and I nearly came off. It was only because he hit the side of the gate that I stayed on. He just got the right run today. That’s the best way to explain it. He just got the right run.”

The Stewards Report Extract from Red Sphere’s previous run reads: Red Sphere (G. Colless) jumped away extremely awkwardly, losing considerable ground. In this incident G. Colless became unbalanced.

Winner (Red Sphere): 5.50 steady.
Favourite (Paymore): 3.80 out to 4.20 in to 4.00.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Red Sphere (G. Colless), which jumped away awkwardly, shifted out, making contact with Thorondo (K. Pope). Near the 1300m when endeavouring to obtain a position closer to the fence, Paymore (B. Pengelly) had to be steadied off the heels of Red Sphere. Passing the 1300m, Columate (E. Wilkinson) commenced to over-race and near the 800m improved up on to the heels of Rule By Right (S. Galloway) and had to be checked. Leaving the 300m, Pride Of Power (Matthew Palmer) had difficulty obtaining clear running between Askew (Michael Palmer) and Calm Before (C. McIver).


Race 7:

Open Handicap - 1200m
1st - Sommersea Drive; 2nd - Regal Castanea; 3rd - Mystery City

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Miller: “He’s a good horse. He should have won last time. The boy dropped the stick. Made no mistake this time.”

Jockey Ken Pope: “I rode this horse before he raced and I thought he would go pretty well. He was a bit of a slow to mature though, but he ended up doing very well last prep. He handles himself real well now and I think he is the type of horse that can be set for something bigger. I think he’s that sort of quality.”

Winner (Sommersea Drive): 9.00 in to 8.00 out to 9,00.
Favourite (Baazooka): 5.50 in to 4.60. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 800m, Tornadic Sky (J. Taylor) improved up on to the heels of Dance The Waves (G. Colless) and had to be steadied and shifted out abruptly, momentarily forcing Bazzooka (J. Holder) 3 wide. Starlactic (Michael Palmer) had difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 350m until near the 100m. Passing the 200m, Victory Code (M. Radecker) was momentarily placed in restricted room between Regal Castanea (S. Galloway) and Steptoe (D. Craven), which shifted out abruptly. Stood Up (A. Taylor) raced wide throughout. Steptoe bled during the race. As this was the second occasion on which the gelding has bled, Steptoe will now incur a lifetime bar from racing in Australia.
When questioned regarding the performance of Mr Aristos, apprentice O. Turpin stated that after beginning only fairly the gelding travelled well, however when placed under pressure in the straight, failed to run on as expected. Trainer B. Trimble was at a loss to explain the horse's performance, however stated that Mr Aristos may have come to the end of its preparation and that he may give the gelding an ease up. Mr Trimble undertook to report to stewards any abnormality which may come to light which may have had a bearing on the performance. A post race veterinary examination of Mr Aristos failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 8:

C, G & E Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Nericon King; 2nd - Shudule Gee; 3rd - Cardio

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (in a very anxious mode): “He’s been banned once before so it’s a worry after the race. It’s tough to have that hanging over your head. He should be alright.”

Jockey Danny Craven: “He was only going a bit above half-pace. The only reason I gave him a hit was to straighten him up because he wanted to hang out. I ride him in work and he’s really going well. Barry (Baldwin) was anxious waiting for him to return, was he? Of course he was! He knows how good a horse he is. He is a very intelligent animal and a class above a lot of them.

Winner (Nericon King): 2.40 out to 2.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Release Me (E. Wilkinson) jumped away awkwardly. Three Little Words (B. El-Issa) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Mosso (S. Galloway). Pandemonia (C. McIver) and Kids Show (Michael Palmer) were slow to begin. Passing the 700m, Kids Show (Michael Palmer) had to be checked when tightened for room by Three Little Words (B. El-Issa), which shifted in slightly. B. El-Issa, rider of Three Little Words, was severely reprimanded. Near the 50m, Three Little Words and Pandemonia (C. McIver) came together. Red Hot Pistol (R. Mason) and Kelly (S. Seamer) raced wide throughout.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Horses swabbed
All winners, Rule By Right, Iluva Queenslander, Feisty Manner, Acquired, Motown Lady, Commanche Warrior, Steptoe.

Bleeders
Race 7. Steptoe - 2nd occasion - Lifetime bar - AR53A.