EAGLE FARM REVIEW (WED, DEC 17)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, December 17.

STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
From QTC meeting, 13.12.08
Race 1. Jockey B. Pengelly was fined $100 for failing to fulfil his engagement on Grand Corso.
Race 2: Trainer L. Birchley reported that a subsequent veterinary examination of Southport revealed the horse to have a bruised near fore foot.
Race 7: Trainer B. Hill reported that Quizzical Lady had pull up well following the event and was unable to offer any excuse for the poor performance other than what was reported at the race meeting on the day.


Race 1:

Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Tower Bridge; 2nd - Manilla Girl; 3rd - Lee Kova

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Dawson: “This is his first run for me. I trained a horse called Dansamonkey for a fellow up north. He sent me this horse. He bought it down in Melbourne as a tried horse. He gave it a couple of goes up north and it couldn’t win. So he thought he’d let me have a go.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “I don’t know how he hasn’t won a race in sixteen starts. Maybe it was the rider. No seriously, I got a lovely run and he did it well. That inside draw is worth its weight in gold, mate. And that was supposed to be my worst ride for the day. We’ll see.”

Tower Bridge was jockey Shane Scriven’s only winner on the day.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tower Bridge): 6.00 out to 8.00.
Favourite (Huss): 2.60 out to 3.00 in to 2.80. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 900m, Huss had to be steadied to avoid the heels of I Sea Magic (C. Eaton), which shifted in. Passing the 700m, Annum Al (W. Clasohm) blundered of its own accord. Near the 50m, Floss ‘N’ Boots (S. Shield) was momentarily tightened for room between Worksforme (J. Taylor) and Huss, which shifted in slightly. Annum Al and Wedding Night raced wide throughout. The club's veterinary surgeon reported that I Sea Magic was found to have bled from one nostril following the event. Trainer N. Hocking was advised that the mare would be required to gallop 1000 metres before stewards prior to its next race start. (AR53A) A post race veterinary examination of Worksforme failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Jockey S. Shield pleaded guilty to a charge under AR87(c) in that he attempted to weigh out in an unapproved vest. Jockey Shield was fined the sum of $1000.


Race 2:

3yo Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - King Corvette; 2nd - Hello Christmas; 3rd - Inanna

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “Yeah, he finished a beaten favourite on debut. I’m not sure what went wrong that day, whether it was the going (dead) or if he was just feeling his body weight. He is a big horse. It’s a nice win for the owners. Most of them were involved in Devil Inside who they sold and who is now in foal to Show A Heart. The mother (Toasted Gold) was a useful sort. I think she won about eight or so, mostly in town – so he does rate a fair prospect.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “He jumped well and then along the way I tried to rev him up a bit again and he didn’t know what I was asking of him, so he still has a lot to learn, but it was a good enough win.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (King Corvette): 2.80 in to 2.30.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
King Corvette (G. Colless) over-raced in the early stages. Mrs Robinson (J. Holder) raced ungenerously in the early stages. Passing the 500m, Attalus (A. Pattillo) had to be steadied when attempting to obtain a run to the outside of Buy’N’Sell (S. Galloway) and to the inside of Munster Province where there was insufficient room. Rounding the home turn, Mrs Robinson shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Buy’N’Sell (S. Galloway) out on to Munster Province, which in turn shifted out and bumped Waterbury. Near the 300m, Squirmy (K. Cunningham) shifted out abruptly to avoid the heels of Fine Style. Inanna (W. Clasohm), Waterbury (C. Reith) and Brits Star (R. Hancock) raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Fine Style (T. Pannell) revealed the horse to be striding short in front. Trainer R. Bradshaw was advised he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for the gelding prior to its next race start.


Race 3:

Maiden Plate - 1500m
1st - Ronstadt; 2nd - Damashqui; 3rd - Abindah

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Stable foreman Gary Wheeler (for the Russell Kirwin stable): “She’s not a horse you can chase. You’ve got to cuddle her along so I told the jockey that he was not to get involved in a speed battle early. That’s why he let the other one go and settled in just off the speed. The mare travelled beautifully for the jockey. She’s had no luck in recent starts and deserved the win.”

Apprentice jockey Michael Hellyer: “I didn’t really want to lead so when Colless took it up (on Abindah) I was happy to let him go. We’ve travelled easily and then I asked her to step up early in the straight. She still seems to be a little afraid of the other runners, but once she got up alongside the leader she was never going to be beaten. She’s been a bridesmaid so long (the mare finished runner-up in four successive starts prior to this win) so it’s good to get the win on the board. It might have been a long time coming (this was Ronstadt’s twenty-sixth start), but I think there will be more improvement to come.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Ronstadt): 5.00 out to 7.00
Favourite (Montaperti): 2.50 in to 2.40 out to 2.80. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Brokacanon (S. Galloway), Manziedear (G. Baker) and Skystep (R. Goltz) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 900m, Ronstadt (M. Hellyer) shifted out off the heels of Abindah (G. Colless) and in doing so inconvenienced Nuclear Lady (Michael Palmer). Passing the 800m, Fu Belle (S. Seamer) shifted out, forcing Montaperti (C. Reith) wider on the track. Near the 200m, Skystep (R. Goltz) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room between Fu Belle (S. Seamer) and Clangismydad (A. Spinks), which was laying in. Alamo (R. Wiggins) was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight. Clangismydad (A. Spinks) raced wide throughout.


Race 4:

Class 5 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Pyramids; 2nd - Magique Mine; 3rd - Three Tenors

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Stable foreman Matthew Dunn (for the Gerald Ryan stable at Murwillumbah): “He’s going beautifully. He’s just so relaxed and he’s doing everything asked of him. He’ll step up to Saturday class now ... probably over a mile.”

Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “He’s just at the top of his game at the moment and loving it. He settled real well. I don’t know if it is because there is a bit more speed in the races up here or what it is, but he used to want to pull when he raced in Sydney. He doesn’t do that now ... and he goes when you ask him. He’s racing in his prime.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Pyramids): 1.70 out to 2.00 in to 1.90.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Three Tenors (R. Goltz) was slow to begin. A post race veterinary examination of Emergence revealed the gelding to be slightly lame in the off foreleg. Trainer R. Rowley was advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for the gelding prior to its next race start.


Race 5:

3yo & Up Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Rumba Jack; 2nd - Rotarian; 3rd - Pandemonia

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor (who had been doubtful to ride the horse after being injured in an incident in a jump-out on Tuesday): “The incident happened when I was trying to load a horse of Michael’s (trainer Michael Nolan) at a jump-out yesterday. The horse just flipped over and knocked me out cold. That was about ten o’clock in the morning. They took me to hospital and I only woke up properly at about six that night. I was waking up in between times, but then going off again. By that night I was fully awake and they released me during the evening. All I’ve got to show for it is a bump on the back of my noggin and a cut on my forehead. I had to go back this morning for some neurological checks just to make certain I was fine. Then I headed for Eagle Farm. Got a great run through and took home the win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Rumba Jack): 1.80 out to 2.10 in to 1.80.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Pandemonia (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Monashee Dancer (L. Dittman) and Amaizing Royal (B. Evans) came together on jumping away. As a result, Amaizing Royal became unbalanced. Tootsie Zynsky (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Rotarian (L. Rolls) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight. Near the 150m, Zazz (C. McIver) was impeded by Monashee Dancer (L. Dittman), which shifted out under pressure. Voodoo Brown Magic (Matthew Palmer) raced wide throughout, and was inclined to hang out rounding the home turn. A post race veterinary examination of Tootsie Zynsky revealed the mare to have heart arrhythmia. Trainer Mrs H. Page was advised that she must provide to the stewards the results of an ECG for Tootsie Zynsky, and that the mare must trial satisfactorily in an official trial prior to its next race start.


Race 6:

CG&E Class 4 Handicap - 1300m
1st - Monashee Prince; 2nd - Hesashow; 3rd - Rock The Roses

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kim Anderson: “His got some fair results, but nothing has really gone his way this prep. Two runs back we put the blinkers on and he just got touched off in the last stride over 1030m. I always thought he might be better over a longer trip so we tried the step up in distance here (to 1300m). When he kicked away early in the straight, I thought he might have gone too early because he does have a tendency not to sustain a run for that long, but thankfully he had enough in hand this time.”

Jockey: Garry Baker: “I rode him up with the speed. It was always the plan to set the target and let them try to come and catch him. With a horse that is used to running over 1000m, you can sometimes get away with going over a longer trip by giving him a soft run and then asking him to kick. It doesn’t always work out, but it looks good when it does.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Monashee Prince): 17.00 out to 21.00.
Favourite (Encosta Tszyu): 6.00 in to 4.60. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rock The Roses (Matthew Palmer) blundered on jumping away. Columate (G. Colless) was slow to begin. Near the 1200m, Rocking All Right (J. Taylor) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Rock The Roses, which was taken in by He’s Some Eagle (B. Payne). B. Payne, rider of He’s Some Eagle, was reprimanded. Passing the 500m, Rocking All Right (J. Taylor) shifted out to improve and in doing so made contact with Encosta Tszyu (S. Galloway). Rock The Roses suffered a bleeding attack during running. Trainer M. Eggleston was advised that Rock The Roses would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months.


Race 7:

F&M Class 4 Handicap - 1300m
1st - Fuhrnatic; 2nd - Morgalicious; 3rd - Guissepino

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Eggleston: “She’s come back strong this prep. She’d had issues. Nothing serious but somehow along the way she’s always managed to do something to herself to disrupt things. For example, last time I had her ready she kicked a wall and hurt her hock. So I had to put her out again. The jockey rode her a treat. We’ll head for the Magic Millions now, all being well. She’ll go to the Class 6 over 1200m on MM day.”

Jockey Daniel Griffin: “The timing of her run has to be measured carefully. She has a very good turn of foot and her acceleration can leave the opposition behind, but her burst doesn’t last long so they can come back at her if you move too early. She did it exactly the same the last time I won on her.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Fuhrmatic): 15.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite (Guissepino): 2.10 out to 2.15 in to 2.05. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Guiseppino (B. Pengelly) shifted its near-fore plate in the enclosure and required re-shoeing. Patti (S. Galloway) and Miss Twist (K. Wharton) came together on jumping away. Near the 400m, Guiseppino was impeded by Fuhrnatic (D. Griffin), which shifted out slightly. Guiseppino (B. Pengelly) shifted in over the concluding stages under pressure.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Cicarelli, jockey D. Craven was unable to provide and explanation other than the horse travelled well after it obtained a position early, however the mare was beaten shortly after passing the 600m. Trainer B. Baldwin was also unable to offer any excuse, however undertook to have a full veterinary examination carried out on Cicarelli and to report the results to the stewards. A post race veterinary examination of Cicarelli failed to reveal any significant abnormalities and a swab sample was taken.


Race 8:

Class 3 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Costa Mucho; 2nd - Albuquerque; 3rd - Unapred

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy (who horses ran the quinella): “That’s exactly how we discussed it before the race. If they walked, we’d go. Ric (McMahon) tried to hold them up mid-term (on Albuquerque). He said if nobody went around him he would have kicked and won by three. (Then, turning to winning rider Scott Galloway). Ric’s dirty with you that you took off so soon.” Galloway had made a swift forward move around runners approaching the turn.
“That’s because I’m older and wiser,” responded Galloway.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Costa Mucho) 17.00 out to 18.00.
Favourite (Unapred): 2.80 out to 3.40. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer B. Baldwin was fined $50 for presenting I’m So Stunning to the enclosure with incorrect gear. I’m So Stunning (M. Palmer) and Eye Eye Silver (K. Cunningham), which were a little slow to begin, were then tightened for room between Sweet Opinion (R. Wiggins) and Costa Mucho (S. Galloway), which after jumping away awkwardly, shifted in. Octahedron (S. Scriven) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 1400m, I’m So Stunning improved on to the heels of Intertheblack (B. Pengelly) and had to be steadied. Passing the 1200m, Intertheblack and I’m So Stunning commenced to over-race. Near the 800m, Sweet Opinion (R. Wiggins), which had been over-racing, had to be steadied off the heels of Dawns Queen (K. Pope). Near the 300m, Napper Tandy (L. Dittman) had to be checked when tightened for room between Intertheblack, which shifted in, and Unapred (J. Taylor), which after initially shifting out, was further taken out by Albuquerque, which also shifted out. B. Pengelly, rider of Interthebalck, J. Taylor, rider of Unapred, and R. McMahon, rider of Albuquerque, were all severely reprimanded for this incident as stewards believed they all equally contributed to the interference suffered by Napper Tandy. Passing the 300m, Unapred (J. Taylor) shifted in and bumped Intertheblack. At the 150m, Intertheblack shifted in abruptly of its own accord.