EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, NOV 29)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, November 29.

STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
From QTC meeting, 22.11.08
Trainer R. McCall reported that MELRINA MISS pulled up sore in both forelegs and will be sent for a spell.

Race 1:

Class 6 Plate - 2132m
1st - Dream Gal; 2nd - Monashee Princess; 3rd - Regal Gaze

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Danny Craven: “Yeah, the plan was always to ride her cold and not rush her at all. For a 2000m plus horse she has very strong acceleration, but it only comes in a short burst so the timing of the run is critical. She gathered them in very quickly when she did make her forward move and had the race won before the line. Her run before this was also tremendous. We just had to work out how to ride her and we got it right here.”

Winner price fluctuation: 5.00 steady.
Favourite price fluctuation: 2.80 in to 2.70 out to 3.00 (Regal Gaze).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1900m, Degenda (C. McIver) commenced to over-race and did so until near the 1200m. Near the 1800m, Bugsytwoshoes (P. Hammersley) and Lady Hybrow were momentarily placed in restricted room between Regal Gaze, which shifted in slightly, and Heartland (A. Taylor), which shifted out slightly. Regal Gaze (E. Wilkinson) and Dashing Dodge (A. Pattillo) raced wide in the early stages. Lady Hybrow shifted out passing the 1600m and was then obliged to race wide until near the 1200m. Approaching the 900m, Monashee Princess (K. Forrester) shifted out off the heels of Bugsytwoshoes and in doing so was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the race.


Race 2:

2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Double Heart; 2nd - Sarge In Charge; 3rd - Moonlight Hussey

WINNER FEEDBACK
Trainer Helen Page: “He was a handful on his debut. He sat down in the barriers. He pig-rooted after the start and did a lot more wrong in the race. Jason (Taylor) said that, under the circumstances there, it was a huge result for the colt to get so close. He’s a colt you understand. You would think he would be better as a gelding but he is by Lion Heart and you can’t start gelding everything that is showing coltish behaviour.
“There was no re-schooling or anything like that. It was purely what he learnt from the first run and because of that he brought a bit more maturity to the race today.”

Jockey Jason Taylor: “He did everything wrong on his debut. He did everything right today. It was almost like he was just playing first time out. He started badly. He did a few hops and wanted to run around in the race. Today it was pure business. An absolutely professional performance.”

Winner price fluctuation: 4.00 out to 5.50.
Favourite price fluctuation: 3.80 out to 4.20 in to 3.90 (Sarge In Charge).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lord Linlithgow (S. Seamer) jumped away awkwardly and lost considerable ground. On jumping away, Jamaican Bolt (R. Wheeler) was tightened for room between Devil Rider (A. Pattillo) and Dashing Irmy (R. McMahon), which shifted in after jumping away awkwardly. Near the 900m, Sarge In Charge (S. Scriven) had to be steadied off the heels of Moonlight Hussey (P. Hammersley), which shifted in. P. Hammersley, rider of Moonlight Hussey, was reprimanded. Sarge In Charge then commenced to over-race and approaching the 600m had to be steadied off the heels of Dashing Irmy. Approaching the 800m, Dellblu (M. Palmer), Moonlight Hussey (P. Hammersley) and Surf’s Up (T. Treichel) were all placed in restricted room between Sarge In Charge (S. Scriven) and Dashing Irmy which, when hanging out, shifted out. Dashing Irmy then hung out for the remainder of the event, placing its rider at a disadvantage. A post race veterinary examination of Dashing Irmy failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Trainer S. Hunter was advised that Dashing Irmy must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards prior to its next race start. Mr Hunter was also requested to notify stewards of any abnormality which may come to light which may have had a bearing on the performance. Trickett (O. Turpin) and Dellblu (M. Palmer) raced wide for the majority of the event. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Surf’s Up was shin sore in both forelegs. Trainer T. Bailey was advised that he must provide a veterinary certificate prior to its next race start.


Race 3:

NMW Handicap - 1600m
1st - Jacaranda Charm; 2nd -Khataaf; 3rd - Lucky Luna

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Sue Maloney (partner to trainer Bruce Ruming). “When she was out for a spell Bruce half wanted to call it a day racing-wise and breed with her because he thought her form wasn’t that flash. But I work closely with the horse and together we decided to give her another prep. She’s now won all three since resuming. Kevin (Forrester) is our lucky charm. He’s won five times on the horse. The combination hasn’t been beaten yet.”

Jockey Kevin Forrester: “I thought I was too close because they went very fast for the first 1000m. But she’s got plenty of fight this mare. When she got to the front and the other one (Khataaf) fought back, she allowed the other one to come up to her, but she wouldn’t let it past her.”
Winner price fluctuation: 15.00 out to 17.00.
Favourite price fluctuation: 3.40 out to 3.50 (Lucky Luna).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1400m, Intertheblack (A. Coome) commenced to over-race and near the 1300m had to be steadied off the heels of Beartracker (E. Wilkinson). Near the 1000m, Tejada (M. Palmer) improved on to the heels of My Council (J. Bowditch) and had to be steadied. Beartracker (E. Wilkinson), which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. Approaching the 50m, Lucky Luna (S. Seamer) was obliged to alter course outwards after being disappointed for a run between Khataaf (B. Pengelly) and Jacaranda Charm (K. Forrester), which shifted in. Passing the 50m, Intertheblack (A. Coome), which was weakening, shifted in and bumped Telfire (C. McIver). La Marianne (J. Taylor) and Jackson Hill (B. Evans) raced wide throughout. Khataaf lost its off-fore plate in running. A post race veterinary examination of Defend The Hill (A. Spinks) failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that No Technique had sustained a laceration to the near hind canon. Jockey B. Pengelly was fined $200 for returning to scale in excess of half a kilogram over his declared riding weight. AR145.


Race 4:

3yo Handicap - 1200m
1st - Silvern; 2nd - Left Standing; 3rd - Presley

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He’s a good horse ... still lightly raced. He has taken a bit of time to find his feet after showing early potential. The last two wins have been over 1200m. We tried him over a mile before and he didn’t stay, but I’ll guarantee he’ll get seven furlongs.”

Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “We popped onto the fence and settled really well just off the speed. It was fairly tight and I pushed one out at the turn to give myself options if the inside run didn’t come. When I got the split he responded well. Last time he won by five-and-three-quarter lengths. This time he had to chase and stay focussed late. He did it just as well as the one before.”
Winner price fluctuation: 5.00 out to 5.50 in to 3.90.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Woorim (E. Wilkinson) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Rothera (B. Evans). Dane Rhythm (S. Seamer) jumped away awkwardly. Upi Bay (K. Pope) and Falverosa (Matthew Palmer) were slow to begin. Daddy’s Little Girl (L. Nolen) over-raced in the early stages. Passing the 1000m, Woorim (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Pandemonia (S. Scriven), which shifted in slightly, and Upi Bay, which shifted out. Near the 900m, Upi Bay (K. Pope) had to be severely checked when tightened for room by Pandemonia, which when over-racing shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Stewards gave consideration to the racing manners of Pandemonia, including its last start, and heard submissions from S. Scriven and trainer L. Birchley, who stated that he intended to experiment with gear changes at the horse's next start. Stewards nevertheless ordered that Pandemonia must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to its next race start. Passing the 500m, Upi Bay (K. Pope) shifted out and made contact with Woorim (E. Wilkinson). When questioned regarding the performance of Woorim, jockey E. Wilkinson stated that he anticipated the horse settling towards the rear of the field, however approaching the first turn Woorim met with interference and this resulted in it settling a little further back in the field than he would have liked. He further added that rounding the home turn, he endeavoured to move Woorim to the outside to give the horse an uninterrupted run, however after shifting out to that position he believed that the ground was inferior given the recent racing and he elected to allow Woorim to shift back in to what he believed to be better going. He further added that when Woorim was struck with the whip near the 150m, it ducked out across the heels of Falverosa and had to be steadied. He further added however that Woorim failed to sprint as anticipated in the home straight. Trainer Mr R. Heathcote stated that he was a little disappointed with the horse's performance, however added the tempo of the race may not have suited horses which were positioned in the back half of the field. He further added that Woorim was second up today and had not trialled prior to its first up run and that this may have affected the horse's performance today. A post race veterinary examination of Woorim failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Mr Heathcote undertook to report any abnormality that may come to light which may have had a bearing on the performance today.


Race 5:

Country Cup 1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Taabinga Lass; 2nd - Andamon; 3rd - Sun For Sale

This race was contested under a storm warning. It looked like someone had turned the lights out at Eagle Farm.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Paul Hammersley: “I wanted to get back to scale as quick as possible. I don’t like getting wet, and I think the horse felt the same way, that’s why she won. There were no real instructions. She jumps well and they just said to place the horse where she was comfortable. She did a good job in the straight.”

Winner price fluctuation: 51.00 out to 61.00.
Favourite price fluctuation: 4.00 out to 4.20 in to 3.70 (Firedrake).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer L. Hickmott was fined $100 for negligence in that he declared S. Seamer as the rider of Taabinga Lass without first confirming that engagement. Passing the 800m, Intermac (J. Taylor) commenced to hang out and shifted out, forcing Longstreet (K. Wharton) wider on the track. Intermac continued to hang out until shortly after straightening. Apprentice L. Rolls, rider of Sea Zulu, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 250m he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Intermac (J. Taylor), resulting in Intermac being checked when tightened for room between Sea Zulu and Paradise Dancer (A. Taylor). L. Rolls was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 3 December and to expire at midnight, 12 December 2008. Approaching the 100m, Intermac was disappointed for a run where there was doubtful room between Paradise Dancer (A. Taylor) and Sea Zulu (L. Rolls). Consider Yourself (M. Morris), Paradise Dancer (A. Taylor) and Longstreet (K. Wharton) raced wide throughout. D. Craven, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Andamon, was fined $200 for weighing in excess of half a kilogram overweight.


Race 6:

Tattersall's Recognition Stakes Handicap (Listed) - 1600m
1st - Rags To Riches; 2nd - Hey Elvis; 3rd - Jujulio

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “I wasn’t exactly sure where I was with the horse. I thought he might have been half a run short because he had a bit of a rough trip back from Melbourne so I had to back off his work for about a week. By rough I mean he didn’t take the trip well. We know he is a much better horse than the form he showed down south. We went for a couple of country cups but that didn’t work out.
“He is a bit of a contradiction this horse. He is very timid when racing in-between horses. That’s why he has to lead or at least be kept wide in his own space. But on the other hand, when he gets into a battle with another horse, he just won’t back off. He keeps fighting as he did here.”

Jockey Shane Scriven (who would have ridden Alverta had that runner accepted): “That’s what this horse is all about, mate. He just loves a scrap like that and it is a pleasure to ride one that does because not all of them do.”

Winner price fluctuation: 8.00 steady.
Favourite price fluctuation: 3.30 out to 3.40 (Hey Elvis).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cocktail Supreme (B. Pengelly), which was over-racing in the early stages, shifted out off the heels of Hey Elvis (P. Hammersley) near the 1000m and in doing so made contact with Hard To Catch (J. Bowditch). Near the 50m, Hey Elvis (P. Hammersley) and Rags To Riches (S. Scriven) both shifted ground and brushed. Mr Hornblower (T. Pannell) and Hard To Catch (J. Bowditch) raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Mr Hornblower revealed 2 small lacerations to the near hind tendon.


Race 7:

F& M Plate - 1200m
1st - Insistence; 2nd - On The Fridge; 3rd - Seconde

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “You know I looked at the field and thought, ‘there’s some tough opposition here’. Then you get a wide barrier and you think, ‘well that doesn’t help’ ... so it was always going to be tough. But she handled herself beautifully.”

Jockey Michael Palmer: “I was a bit surprised how easily I was able to get across from the draw. She does like a bit of give in the ground so when that shower came through earlier it probably helped her a bit. Once we got to the front I was able to control things. I gave her a breather along the way. She did it perfectly at both ends.”

Winner price fluctuation: 21.00 in to 17.00.
Favourite price fluctuation: 3.20 in to 2.60 (On The Fridge).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
She’s In The Guide was declared a late scratching at 4.21 pm after the saddle broke. On The Fridge (S. Scriven) was hampered on jumping away between Karalee (S. Seamer) and Desdemona (J. Bowditch), which jumped inwards. Rapid Babe (K. Wharton) blundered on jumping away. Near the 1000m, Karalee (S. Seamer) was hampered by La Goulue (L. Nolen), which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Passing the 800m, Bareena (R. McMahon) and Seconde (A. Pattillo) came together. Near the 300m, Bareena shifted out away from the heels of Red Letter Daze (Matthew Palmer) and in doing so made contact with Sequential Charm (C. Spry). Passing the 200m, Calchris (P. Hammersley) shifted out to improve and in doing so made heavy contact with Acquired (J. Taylor). Miss Watagan (A. Spinks) and Red Letter Daze (Matthew Palmer) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Sequential Charm failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Sashenka had lost its near fore plate in running, and had overreached on the inside heel of the off-foreleg. Trainer A. Bailey stated that Sashenka would be sent for an immediate spell.


Race 8:

Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Reincarnation 2nd - Satsang 3rd - Belles Opinion 4th - Framous

Trainer John Thomas: “The loves the wet mate. He needs these conditions to show his best.”

Jockey Andrew Spinks: “The wetter the better. It makes all the difference to him.”

Winner price fluctuation: 15.00 out to 17.00.
Favourite price fluctuation: Joint favourites:
5.50 out to 6.50 in to 5.50 (Kanetoshi King).
5.50 steady (Thorondo).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after straightening, Thorondo (J. Bowditch) shifted out, taking Hy Dream (S. Scriven) out, momentarily inconveniencing Wings Of Seraph (S. Seamer). Tarlee Dancer (T. Pannell) and Wings Of Seraph raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Kanetoshi King failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Jockey E. Wilkinson, rider of the 5th placegetter, Riseupsinging, was fined $100 for returning to scale in excess of half a kilogram overweight.