EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, DEC 13)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, December 13.

Race 1:

No Metro Wins Handicap - 2100m
1st - Beartracker; 2nd - Monashee Princess; 3rd - Rockaria

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “He did a good job third-up over 2100m. I told Eddie (Wilkinson) he would have the tactical speed to get across and sit on the fence. They did just that and ended up sitting seventh on the rail. Eddie actually came back and apologised for getting further back than we’d discussed, but he’d done enough to be able to run with the plan. I told him that all of our main dangers would get back and come home with a rush at the end - and that’s exactly what happened. I knew that if we could get a soft run and then kicked early in the straight we would have a big chance. It’s amazing how well a plan can work out when it doesn’t strike any difficulties. But it seldom works out that easy.”

Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “I went up into the box seat but he wanted to over-race so I took him back about a length to give him a softer run. We got the split in the straight and he kicked on really well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Beartracker): 8.00 steady
Favourite (Zero To Hero): 3.10 out to 3.60 into 3.50. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into jockey B. Pengelly's failure to fulfil his engagement on Grand Corso to a time and date to be fixed. Apprentice Michael Palmer was substituted as the rider of Grand Corso. C. Reith, the rider of Justin Case, broke his whip during the event. Near the 1600m Beartracker had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of Latino (G. Colless). Seen’em Comin’ (S. Galloway) raced wide in the early stages. Olympic Time (K. Forrester) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Grand Corso (Michael Palmer) raced wide throughout. Shortly after straightening My Counsel (J. Bowditch) was held up for clear running when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Rocktaria (Matthew Palmer) and Grand Corso. Near the 350m My Counsel was further hampered when tightened between Rocktaria and Grand Corso, both of which shifted ground slightly. My Counsel, which bled from both nostrils, will incur a mandatory 3-month ban from racing under AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from My Counsel. A post-race veterinary examination of Latin Idol revealed the gelding to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome.


Race 2:

J.F. Meynick Stakes (2yo C&G) - 1000m
1st - Double Heart; 2nd - Fast Lover; 3rd - Phelan Ready

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Helen Page: “He jumped a bit awkwardly so he had to be pushed out early and was pretty much flat out all of the way and he did it strong. Jason (Taylor) has a huge rap on him and he’s bred to go further.”

Jockey Jason Taylor: “That’s two Meynink’s I’ve won in a year now. That’s because of the EI story. I won the previous on Acorns. Yeah, this horse is still doing some things wrong so has got a bit to learn still. He has got tons of speed. That’s a big plus, but I think he has enough ability to be able to do it from off the speed as well if he’s asked to ... but while he’s tearing them up this way we’ll probably stick to this racing pattern.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Double Heart): 2.40 out to 3.20
Favourite (Southport): 2.80 out to 3.10. Finished seventh.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Captain Sonador (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 900m Fast Lover (S. Seamer) was momentarily hampered by Devil Rider (A. Pattillo), which shifted out slightly. Phelan Ready (J. Holder) was inclined to lay in for the majority of the straight. Falls Creek (G. Colless) lost its near hind plate in running.
When questioned regarding the performance of Southport, jockey S. Scriven stated that the horse travelled well throughout the event, however when asked for an effort failed to respond to his riding. A post-race veterinary examination of Southport failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 3:

C.E. McDougall Stakes (2yo fillies) - 1000m
1st - Paprika; 2nd - Moonlight Hussey; 3rd - Powerful Light

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “I would have thought she was a bit disappointing today. The riding instructions were
basically left up to me. All Liam (Birchley) asked was that I give some cover. She did pick them up quickly
enough in the straight, but I was very disappointed with her antics around the turn and up the straight. She
was wayward. There are things that still need to be ironed out.”

Scriven also reportedly told Racing and Sports, “On that effort she (Paprika) can’t win the Magic Millions.”

Trainer Liam Birchley: “I was very happy with the run. Very pleased. I wanted her ridden back with other
runners as part of her education. You don’t expect everything to go perfectly, but I think she went real good. I don’t really know what Shane (Scriven) is on about. I think Shane sometimes lives in his own world, and I’ve told him that many times. I mean it was a mild ride by Shane’s standards, which says something about how well the horse travelled. Paprika maintained her unbeaten record, she went past some reasonable opposition with ease in the straight, she broke a seventeen year old feature race record and the time she set was also quicker than the colts managed in the Meynick. That doesn’t rate as a disappointing effort to me. She’ll go to the Tommy Smith in two weeks time ... and then on to the Magic Millions.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Paprika): 1.30 steady.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Our Dreaming, which was unable to be loaded, was declared a late scratching at 1.41 p.m. by order of the stewards. Trainer N. Doyle was advised that he must obtain a further barrier certificate before the horse's next start. Trainer S. Mackinnon was advised that a warning was being placed on the barrier manners of Trickett, which was difficult to load. Paprika (S. Scriven) jumped out at the start and made contact with Brujita (R. Goltz). Eau De Dali (J. Bowditch) and Annalisha (J. Taylor) were slow to begin. Princess Kimono (R. McMahon) and Trickett (R. Mason) jumped away awkwardly. Brujita raced wide throughout. Passing the 700m Annalisha commenced to over-race and got its head in the air. Rounding the home turn Paprika, which was inclined to hang out, shifted out making contact with Brujita and forcing that horse wider on the track. Near the 250m Moonlight Hussey (G. Colless) shifted out and inconvenienced Brujita. Annalisha laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of Annalisha (J. Taylor) revealed the filly to be shin sore in both forelegs. Trainer E. Hayes will be advised that he must produce a veterinary certificate for Annalisha before its next start. A post-race veterinary examination of Powerful Light revealed the filly to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome. Paprika shifted its near fore plate in running.


Race 4:

GOLD EDITION PLATE (3yo’s) - 1200m
1st - Youthful Jack; 2nd - Cat D'Antibes; 3rd - Daddys Little Girl

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jack Denham: “He’s a very easy horse to train and he is a top class performer on the track. Everything went off as planned today. He’ll go to the Vo Rogue in two weeks time.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Youthful Jack): 1.40 in to 1.30 out to 1.40.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Silvern (J. Holder) was a little slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Jazz Heart (S. Scriven) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room by Presley (R. McMahon). Calm Before (S. Galloway) and Youthful Jack (R. Thompson) raced wide throughout. Youthful Jack laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.


Race 5:

Class 6 Handicap (3yo’s and up) - 1400m
1st - Sun For Sale; 2nd - Primeval Demand; 3rd - Beautiful

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron McCrae: “He’s been knocking at the door. Scottie (Galloway) said he should have won last time. He was just held up for a run which cost him. This run went mostly to plan. He took the step up to 1400m well. I might step him up to 1600m next time.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sun For Sale): 6.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Red Sphere): 3.50 out to 4.00. Finished thirteenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Red Sphere (G. Colless) jumped away extremely awkwardly, losing considerable ground. In this incident G. Colless became unbalanced. Another Takeover (A. Pattillo) was slow to begin. Shortly after the start Fat Possum (R. Thompson) and Wings Of Seraph (J. Taylor) were placed in restricted room between Thorondo (K. Pope) and Count Henry (A. Spinks). Red Sphere over-raced in the early stages. Thorondo, Rapid Babe (Matthew Palmer) and Lucky Luna (S. Seamer) raced wide throughout. Pelltro (R. Goltz) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight. R. Mason, the rider of Cole Trickle, accidentally dropped her whip near the 300m. A post-race veterinary examination of Red Sphere failed to reveal any abnormalities.
When questioned regarding the performance of Charvicky, jockey E. Wilkinson stated that the mare travelled well, however when placed under pressure shortly after straightening ran on only fairly. He added that given the way the horse travelled he was disappointed with her lack of acceleration. Trainer R. Heathcote advised that Charvicky will be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Charvicky failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 6:

Strawberry Road Handicap (Quality) - 1600m
1st - Strat's Flyer; 2nd - Pepperwood; 3rd - Rags To Riches

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Glen Colless: “The only worry was whether he would get the mile so Allan (Denham) said I mustn’t go too early. So I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... and waited, and then I let him go and he produced a strong, fighting finish.”

Strat’s Flyer gave trainer Allan Denham a double at the meeting.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Strat’s Flyer): 2.70 in to 2.20 out to 2.25.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1300m October Grey (R. Goltz), which was over-racing, shifted in and momentarily tightened Sir Sensible (A. Pattillo). October Grey continued to over-race for some distance. Majorca (E. Wilkinson), October Grey and Sir Sensible raced wide throughout. Secrets Untold (S. Seamer) laid in for the majority of the event. Near the 250m Doug’s Mate (Matthew Palmer) shifted out and bumped October Grey.
A post-race veterinary examination of October Grey revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer M. Brosnan's representative was advised that she must obtain a veterinary clearance prior to the horse's next start.


Race 7:

Fillies & Mares Handicap (Quality) - 1300m
1st - On The Fridge; 2nd - Satsang; 3rd - Dance Girl Dance

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “At the 300m mark John (owner John Fish) said to me, ‘she’s got to be #%$#@ Bernborough to win from there’, and I told him to wait a bit, it’s not over yet. You know how she hits the line hard and I knew she would finish strongly again. You know, some people were saying all these sob stories about her being beaten were wearing a bit thin ... but she’s been running on strongly every time. She hasn’t been going backwards. So she was due and she deserved the win. It would have been a really stiff result if she’d got second again (as in her last two starts). We didn’t know we’d won until the numbers went up, it was that close.”

Jockey Jason Holder: “I got back a fair way, but I tell you I was closer than I thought I would be. From that draw (number 15) I thought I would have to go back to last, so I was happy to steal a few lengths. She responded really well when I called on her. She really hit the line hard.”

On the Fridge gave trainer Robert Heathcote a double at the meeting.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (On The Fridge): 3.80 out to 4.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m Quizzical Lady (G. Colless) shifted out off the heels of Desdemona (J. Bowditch) and in doing so forced Satsang (Matthew Palmer) wider on the track. Satsang was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Rock Idol (R. Wiggins) and On The Fridge (J. Holder) raced wide for the majority of the event. Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) was held up for clear running from shortly after entering the straight until near the 200m. Seconde (A. Pattillo) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.
Near the 200m Starry Dancer (R. Thompson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Bareena (R. McMahon) which shifted out to obtain clear running. Jockey R. McMahon was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Bareena was held up for clear running inside the final 70m.
When questioned regarding the performance of Quizzical Lady, jockey G. Colless stated that the mare travelled well early, however rounding the first turn she commenced to hang out and continued to lay out until shortly after straightening and when placed under pressure failed to stretch out. Trainer B. Hill stated the mare was resuming today and as shown in her last preparation may take a couple of races to reach her peak fitness. A post-race veterinary examination of Quizzical Lady failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 8:

Two Metro Wins Handicap - 1200m
1st - Mr Aristos; 2nd - Bazzooka; 3rd - Sea Zulu

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bill Trimble: “He’s got a very troublesome foot – the near-fore. It just won’t grow properly and it worries him. I wanted to run him in the big race last week but his foot wasn’t right. This week his foot has been brilliant, so it was all systems go and he put in his best effort.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Aristos): 14.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite (Steptoe): 5.00 in to 3.90. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stood Up (A. Taylor), Steptoe (C. McIver) and Masai Pride (Matthew Palmer) were all hampered on jumping away by The Big Easy (S. Galloway) which, after blundering on jumping away, shifted out abruptly, In this incident Masai Pride and Steptoe had to be checked and Stood Up shifted out making contact with the hind quarters of Myagi (K. Pope). Mr Hornblower (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Steptoe commenced to over-race on the heels of Myagi. Steptoe then continued to over-race until near the 600m. Key Bar Nights (J. Holder), Vocalic (C. Spry) and Lombardy (C. Reith) raced wide throughout. Near the 100m Mr Hornblower improved up on to the heels of Messiaen (R. Goltz) and had to be steadied. Vocalic lost its off- hind plate in running. Mr Aristos (M. Hughes) lost its near hind plate in running.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Zero To Hero, Olympic Time, Jamaican Bolt, Fields Of Plenty, Captain Sonador, Rockaria, Cat D'Antibes, Secrets Untold, Jazz Heart, Black Minx, October Grey, Strat's Flyer, Docoroka, Eau De Dali, Bella Sirena, Youthful Jack, Annalisha, Craiglea Charm, Spot On Target, Montoux, Satsang, Starry Dancer, Quizzical Lady, Desdemona
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 5 and 6, and My Counsel