A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, November 12.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS:
From BTC meeting, 8.11.08 - Race 3
Stewards questioned trainer R. Heathcote regarding the riding tactics adopted on On The Up. Mr Heathcote stated that he advised jockey G. Colless from the wide alley to take up a position where the horse was comfortable and if that was at the rear of the field, to be in a position to allow On The Up to stride forward along the back straight. He further added that the horse had raced in a more handier position at it recent starts however had drawn an inside barrier which had aided the horse to obtain a closer position. Mr Heathcote added that jockey Colless had obtained a position on the back of Pay Me and had anticipated Pay Me carrying him into the race, however Pay Me was under pressure at the 800m. He stated as the race turned into a sprint home, On The Up was unable to sprint with them. Stewards noted the explanation.
Trainer S. Lee advised stewards he had a subsequent blood test taken from Surety following its poor performance, and the test failed to reveal anything amiss with the horse.
Race 1:
F & M Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - I'm So Stunning; 2nd - Runaway Fund; 3rd - Ensconce
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who would go on to train a double on the day): “I thought she would win, but not by six lengths. I’ve only had her for three runs. When she came into the stable she looked more like an ‘Ugly Betty’ than an ‘I’m So Stunning’. She’s showing good progress, but you can’t get carried away with a Maiden win.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “While she did beat an ordinary field, it was still a fair effort. The two of them in front of me at the turn into the straight were the two favourites and she beat them home by six lengths. She could have won by ten. She might just have a future.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m, Aim Me High (D. Van Bekkum) shifted in, bumping Pleasure Shot (L. Dittman). As a result, Aim Me High became unbalanced. Passing the 700m, Pleasure Shot (L. Dittman) laid out across the heels of I’m So Stunning and had to be checked. Between the 800m and 700m, Ensconce (J. Jones) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Runaway Fund (J. Taylor). J. Taylor, rider of Runaway Fund, was severely reprimanded. A post-race veterinary examination of Ephyra failed to reveal any abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon reported that Pleasure Shot had sustained a graze down the off-fore canon.
Race 2:
CG&E Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Handon Hero; 2nd - Cha Cha Man; 3rd - Liquidate
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lennie Wheeler: “He was shin-sore after his first run so he was spelled. He ran two good seconds in his three starts back before this, so he was due.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Young Prince raced 3 wide and was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight.
Race 3:
CG&E Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Albert Cadabra; 2nd - Murphy's Creek; 3rd - Life's Short
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith: “Well that broke a bit of a drought. He’s going well this prep but some things have gone wrong. He led last time and he doesn’t like that role so he got caught out. The run before that was in heavy going which doesn’t suit him. I thought I had both of those problems going into the race today.
“I was worried he might have to lead if there was no pace in the race, but thankfully Gillian’s horse (Askew) went out in front. That’s exactly what my horse needs – a good cart into the race. I also wasn’t happy this morning when I watched it p... down with rain. I was worried about the track. But we came through. Like I say, this result broke a bit of a drought for me.”
Apprentice Jockey Adrian Coome (who is on loan to Mayfield-Smith): “Yeah he tracked the leader at a pace which suited him. He basically did the rest. I just had to steer him.”
The time of 1.20.25 represented a New Class Record.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Murphy’s Creek (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Life’s Short over-raced for a short period in the early stages. A. Pattillo, rider of Jimmy Jim, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 800m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Albert Cadabra (A. Coome), which was taken in across the running of Life’s Short and as a result Life’s Short had to be checked when tightened for room. A. Pattillo was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 15 November, and to expire at midnight, 26 November 2008. Jimmy Jim, which was over-racing in the early stages, shifted out off the heels of Albert Cadabra (A. Coome) and was obliged to race 3 wide until passing the 800m. Approaching the 400m, Murphy’s Creek ((P. Hammersley) was momentarily impeded when tightened for room inside of Jimmy Jim, which shifted in when weakening.
Following the running of race 3, Mr R. Bradshaw, trainer of Life’s Short, lodged a complaint with the stewards regarding the ride of jockey A. Spinks on that horse. Mr Bradshaw stated that his instructions were to lead or to have Life’s Short positioned behind the leader. Mr Bradshaw stated that he was also unhappy that jockey Spinks ended up 3 back on the fence passing the 800m. Jockey Spinks confirmed the instructions and added that after jumping outwards slightly at the start, Askew took up a position forward of him and he allowed that horse to cross him passing the 1200m. He further added that after Askew obtained the lead the pace steadied and Life’s Short improved up on to that horse's heels and had to be steadied. He further added that the horse lost momentum and had to be checked at the 800m when tightened for room, and that passing the 600m he eased the horse out to allow Life’s Short to sustain a grinding run to the finish, as per Mr Bradshaw's instructions. After hearing the evidence and viewing the films of the race, stewards could not concur with Mr Bradshaw's complaint and advised him that, in their opinion, jockey Spinks had ridden to instructions in the early stages by obtaining a position behind the leader, however was a victim of interference near the 800m which resulted in Life’s Short losing its position.
Race 4:
F&M Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Jacaranda Charm; 2nd - Kenshe; 3rd - Where'smine
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Ruming: “He (Kevin Forrester) is just such a lucky jockey for us. He’s had four rides and four wins for us now. When the horse was out for a spell in mid-year, we did toy with the idea of retiring her, but we’re so pleased we didn’t. Two out of two since returning. I guess we made the right decision.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start, Falling Star (J. Byrne) commenced to over-race. Kenshe (R. Wiggins) and Gather (W. Clasohm) raced wide for the majority of the race.
K. Forrester, rider of Jacaranda Charm, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Rapid Babe (J. Jones), resulting in Rapid Babe being checked. K. Forrester was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 16 November, and to expire at midnight, 28 November 2008.
Near the 200m, after obtaining a narrow run, Kenshe (R. Wiggins) made contact with Falling Star (J. Byrne) and as a result Falling Star became unbalanced and shifted in. Cajun Moon (M. Radecker) and Gather raced wide throughout.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1650m
1st - Prince Leo; 2nd - Spin Zero; 3rd - Akoya
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Shaun Dwyer: “Oh he’s a bit of a head case. You almost have to be some kind of horse psychologist to get anywhere with him. Having said that, he does show ability. Today was a testing step up from 1200m to a mile in only his second start after a spell. We did take 3kg off (apprentice Jones’ claim) which did help, but he still took it in his stride.
“I’m very tempted – it’s something I’ve got to think about still – but I’m very tempted to step him up in distance again because I think he’ll stay 2000m.”
Apprentice jockey Joshua Jones: “He was always going to win. He travelled well throughout. The only slight hassle was right after the start when Amy Taylor (on Auscoal) tried to come off the rail and go up outside the leader. I had to push forward to keep her in otherwise I would have been caught three wide. There was no problem after that.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Justin Case (J. Byrne) and Prince Leo (J. Jones) were slow to begin. Passing the 600m, Created (C. Reith) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Bougette (J. Taylor) wider. Near the 250m, Akoya (K. Forrester) shifted out to improve and in doing so took Created (C. Reith) and Greenfinder (A. Pattillo) wider. Bougette, which was racing to the outside of Greenfinder, was momentarily inconvenienced.
Race 6:
Class 5 Handicap - 1110m
1st - The Boxer; 2nd – Hurl; 3rd - Sir Teles
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who turned out the gelding for his first local start): “He’s been in work about eleven weeks now. It was a good strong win.”
The time of 1.04.59 represented a New Class Record. The result gave Baldwin a double at the meeting.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Frigate (W. Clasohm) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Prince Lionheart (N. Day). Framboise (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Falconten (K. Forrester) was slow to begin. Sir Teles (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with the hind quarters of Hurl (A. Taylor). The Boxer (M. Palmer) and Consider Yourself (J. Taylor) came together on jumping away. Framboise over-raced for some distance after the start.
N. Day, rider of Prince Lionheart, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 800m, he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Framboise (J. Byrne), which was taken in, forcing Magic Promenade (J. Jones) inwards and as a result Framboise (J. Byrne) had to be checked when tightened for room. N. Day was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 20 November, the expiration of a suspension incurred at Rockhamption on 11 November, and to expire at midnight, 28 November 2008.
Frigate (W. Clasohm), Ima Joker (L. Dittman) and Falconten (K. Forrester) raced wide for the majority of the race. A post-race veterinary examination of Ima Joker failed to reveal any abnormalities. Magic Promenade (J. Jones) bled during the event. Trainer B. Bowditch was advised that the mare would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months.
Race 7:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1030m
1st – Zazz; 2nd - Monashee Prince; 3rd - Bellegal
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “In his previous first-up run he was just touched off by Rock On Bye at a Saturday meeting. He’s not the most genuine horse, that’s probably why he does his best work fresh. It was a long chase for him here but persistence paid off.”
The result was so tight here that Stewards put a hold on the result while they had a look at the photo themselves, after which they were happy to confirm the judge’s decision.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Arhindas (A. Coome) was slow to begin. Dr Chicago (M. Palmer) and Page Number (A. Merritt) were slow to begin. App. C. McIver, rider of Zazz, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that approaching the 800m he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Dr Chicago (M. Palmer), which had initially been laying in, and further tightening Dr Chicago in on to Bellegal (P. Hammersley), resulting in Bellegal being severely hampered. C. McIver was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 16 November, and to exipre at midnight, 27 November 2008.
Near the 700m, Zazz (C. McIver) had to be steadied off the heels of Hodges Street (D. Craven). Hodges Street was forced to race wide in the early stages. Jovelon (C. Reith) raced wide for the majority of the event.
On the winning post, Page Number (A. Merritt) had to be steadied when inconvenienced by Jovelon, which was taken out by Dr Chicago (M. Palmer).
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Hodges Street, jockey D. Craven stated that from his wide alley he was obligated to do a little bit of work early on his mount to obtain the lead, however Hodges Street was under pressure passing the 600m. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. Stewards will contact trainer B. Baldwin in the days subsequent to the race to ascertain if any abnormality had come to light which may explain the poor performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Hodges Street failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
F&M Class 3 Handicap- 1030m
1st - Fuhrrnatic; 2nd - Kootenannie; 3rd - We've Got Issues
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Egglestone: “She’s been lightly raced because she’s had a few issues but this was a very good first-up run. The distance was short of her best. She’ll go a mile. The key is that she needs to be ridden correctly.”
Jockey Daniel Griffin: “Yeah she’s got a very short burst so timing is everything. She was absolutely flat when she hit the line. Any further and she wouldn’t have lasted, but that is understandable first-up because she hadn’t trialled or anything. Good result.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
We’ve Got Issues (A. Pattillo) was inclined to layout rounding the home turn. Approaching the 300m until the 250m, Kootenannie (R. Goltz) was unable to obtain clear running. Bally Kelly raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Easy Silence, J. Jones stated that after being a little slow to begin, the horse was then obliged to take a position behind the leader. He further added that as a result of being a little slow to begin, he was unable to take up the horse's preferred position in front. He further added this may have contributed to the horse's performance today. Stewards will contact trainer S. Lee in the days subsequent to ascertain if any abnormality had come to light with the horse which may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Easy Silence failed to reveal any abnormalities. A swab sample was taken from Easy Silence.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
THE CUP - WON AND LOST
There will be two lasting memories of the 2008 running of the Melbourne Cup - one of a winner and one of a loser. As we are about to leave the hype of Melbourne Cup week behind us for one more year, this is my version of those two contrasting outcomes.
PART 1: BART’S BRILLIANCE.
When Makybe Diva went to the line to claim her third successive Melbourne Cup victory three years ago, race caller Greg Miles words, ‘a champion becomes a legend,’ went into racing folklore. Following Bart Cummings’ twelfth victory in the race with Viewed at Flemington last Tuesday, the question now is, what does a legend become when it takes the next step up?
Cummings is there now, so high up above the rest of us he is moving in rarefied atmosphere. A description, which can do justice to his achievement, is hard to find.
I always liked the Anthony Cummings comment. Speaking about his father, Anthony once said, “Dad’s taught me everything I know. The only problem is he hasn’t taught me everything he knows.” And therein lies the rub.
Anthony Cummings is not alone. He could form a club with a guaranteed large membership, which would include high profile trainers from all around the globe, all of whom don’t know what Bart knows.
And what a sense of timing the great man has! Holding back to present his two-hundred and fiftieth Group 1 win on the biggest stage of all ... with the real life drama being added to by the fact that it took a photo and a nose to separate Viewed from the faster finishing Bauer.
Cummings puts the polish on his horses and they shine. Last Tuesday the glow was blinding.
The twinkle that is always in Cummings’ eye was moistened by a tear, which he typically deflected away as being hay-fever.
Congratulated on his twelfth win, Cummings’ response was that he was thinking of bringing up ‘a baker’s dozen next year’.
“Always look ahead, boys,” was his sage advice – a philosophy which has served him well. As has his often stated view that he chooses to remain optimistic, whatever the odds facing him.
"I’m never a pessimist. I don’t believe in it,” Cummings has said.
Want another example of the cool Cummings character?
How about Cummings’ call on the last 200m of this year’s Cup. “At the 200m I thought we had it won. By the 50m I wasn’t so sure,” said Cummings. Not, I thought I was going to get beat. Not, oh no, we’d gone too early – the type of comment you or I might have expressed in our anxiety if placed in that position.
Just, “I wasn’t so sure.” He always allows for a positive outcome.
Pre race-day, Cummings was never fazed by the supposed might of the foreign invasion which had mere mortals scurrying for cover. Sports editors were running polls as to whether the invasion should have been allowed in the first place, while others looked at how they could curtail the threat with restrictive measures in the future.
They were being pessimistic.
Cummings did have a view on the number of visitors that should be allowed, but he never shirked a battle against the best and he just went quietly about his business – the business of preparing Melbourne Cup winners.
On Derby Day, he qualified Moatize to give him two runners in the Cup. Viewed was already in the field. Cummings had all but dodged the spotlight until then, and it quickly moved elsewhere again as conflict between some demanding visitors and rule-efficient racing officials quickly returned to centre stage.
That suited Cummings. He was again allowed to fly under the radar, left to prepare and plan his ambush.
After Viewed had won, Cummings must have wondered where all the so-called experts came from out of the woodwork. Surrounded by microphones, flashing cameras and flashing smiles, he must have known he had just upstaged them all in wondrous fashion.
Now they hung on his every word. A master of this profession ... a magician ... a genius lauded by his subjects. Moments don’t come more regal than that!
It will remain a memory firmly etched in racing history.
But spare a though, as Cummings would have, for trainer Luca Cumani and his team. No, they didn’t win the Melbourne Cup, but they put in a momentous effort and had to swallow the bitter pill of finishing as runner-up for the second successive year.
They are getting closer – in fact any closer would have been a dead-heat this time around. Always professional, never contentious, they conducted themselves with credit throughout their campaign, both on and off the track.
Make no mistake ,we want the Cup to stay in Australia again next year but, if that is not to be, most Australian racing enthusiasts have found a possible future foreign winner they might just be comfortable with.
PART 2: A BAD IRISH JOKE.
Did you hear the one about the three Irish stayers ... well actually, we won’t go there. It’s not funny at all – particularly for those who backed the well-supported Septimus.
The farcical effort of the three Aiden O’Brien trained runners in the Cup was the shocker of the Carnival.
Whatever arrogance led the stable to believe that the Cup would prove to be little more than a training gallop for their might and power, and that all three of the O’Brien runners could go out and set an unrealistic tempo in front and still smash their rivals, the undeniable point is their game-plan showed scant respect for both the high quality tradition of the race and the standard of the opposition.
It was a brain implosion of the highest order and it was no wonder that their world came crashing down in a neat pile at the head of the home straight.
To say that this absolute failure was an embarrassment to the O’Brien team is an absolute understatement.
But while O’Brien’s reputation plunged like the Dow Jones on the day and his angry response at the condition of the track highlighted the fact that he is a sore loser, arguably the most scandalous part of all, is that he and his three riders, who had punters wondering if they had one brain cell between them when they powered away together in the back straight, were all allowed to leave to lick their wounds without one of them being handed a penalty by racing stewards.
As per the Stewards Report, it can be noted that Stewards did open an enquiry, “into the riding tactics adopted on Septimus (IRE) (J Murtagh), Honolulu (IRE) (C O’Donoghue) and Alessandro Volta (IRE) (W Lorden) given that the three horses were ridden in a forward position and having established a considerable margin in front of the remainder of the field before all horses gave ground in the straight."
The report continues: “After taking evidence from the riders concerned, Stewards felt that further questions had to be asked given that the evidence tendered by W Lorden and C O’Donoghue was conflicting. Therefore, trainer Mr Aiden O’Brien was asked to attend the inquiry to establish what the instructions to each rider were.
“The Stewards had to consider whether any particular rider had a charge to answer under the provisions of AR.135(b) where a rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
“After taking into account all the evidence before them, the Stewards were not prepared to proceed with a charge against J Murtagh given that Septimus (IRE) had pulled up lame in both forelegs, or C O’Donoghue, given that Honolulu (IRE) had pulled up lame in the near foreleg.
“On the evidence before the Stewards and viewing the race objectively, the Stewards had to be satisfied that the ride on Alessandro Volta was culpable in the sense that it is blameworthy and deserving of punishment. Although the Stewards had grave doubts about the ride, they believe that after taking into account all the circumstances, a charge under AR.135(b) was not warranted. No action was taken against Mr O’Brien.”
So let me get this right. If you run your horse into the ground against all reasonable racing patterns (and the horse has been vetted as being one hundred percent fit prior to the race), and it returns lame, the rider, because of the lameness which affected his run, is immune from being charged with failing to give his mount every possible chance in the race?
Sounds Irish to me.
Go-figure.
While Stewards in the end settled most of their attention on the ride on Allessandro Volta, they should have focussed more on Johnny Murtagh’s ride on Septimus.
The top weight carried hundreds of thousands, if not a couple of million dollars of punters money on his back. It didn’t matter which hemisphere you were in (ie whether the money went down the toilet clockwise or anti-clockwise), the investment disappeared and was well flushed away long before the field turned for home.
Murtagh is no fool and is not short of talent, as is evidenced by his twenty Group 1 wins in 2008, so why he acted the clown on Melbourne Cup day remains difficult to fathom and just how his name does not appear on the following list is, in my opinion, even more of a mystery.
Steven Arnold, Glen Boss, Greg Childs, Jason Holder, Kerryn McEvoy, Peter Mertens, Dan Nikolic, Brett Prebble, Damian Oliver, Nash Rawiller and James Winks – all of these riders picked up suspensions during Cup week.
But, as always, whatever the merit of any argument, the result is in the book and the page has now been turned.
Which leaves me with just one last item of late-mail to deliver.
After their lucrative result, bookmakers around the country were rumoured to be considering whether to commission (another) statue of Bart Cummings or whether to build one in memory of the fallen visitors who have tried and failed to win our great race. The late-mail is, bookmakers apparently couldn’t agree on which way to go, so they have decided to keep all of their money.
PART 1: BART’S BRILLIANCE.
When Makybe Diva went to the line to claim her third successive Melbourne Cup victory three years ago, race caller Greg Miles words, ‘a champion becomes a legend,’ went into racing folklore. Following Bart Cummings’ twelfth victory in the race with Viewed at Flemington last Tuesday, the question now is, what does a legend become when it takes the next step up?
Cummings is there now, so high up above the rest of us he is moving in rarefied atmosphere. A description, which can do justice to his achievement, is hard to find.
I always liked the Anthony Cummings comment. Speaking about his father, Anthony once said, “Dad’s taught me everything I know. The only problem is he hasn’t taught me everything he knows.” And therein lies the rub.
Anthony Cummings is not alone. He could form a club with a guaranteed large membership, which would include high profile trainers from all around the globe, all of whom don’t know what Bart knows.
And what a sense of timing the great man has! Holding back to present his two-hundred and fiftieth Group 1 win on the biggest stage of all ... with the real life drama being added to by the fact that it took a photo and a nose to separate Viewed from the faster finishing Bauer.
Cummings puts the polish on his horses and they shine. Last Tuesday the glow was blinding.
The twinkle that is always in Cummings’ eye was moistened by a tear, which he typically deflected away as being hay-fever.
Congratulated on his twelfth win, Cummings’ response was that he was thinking of bringing up ‘a baker’s dozen next year’.
“Always look ahead, boys,” was his sage advice – a philosophy which has served him well. As has his often stated view that he chooses to remain optimistic, whatever the odds facing him.
"I’m never a pessimist. I don’t believe in it,” Cummings has said.
Want another example of the cool Cummings character?
How about Cummings’ call on the last 200m of this year’s Cup. “At the 200m I thought we had it won. By the 50m I wasn’t so sure,” said Cummings. Not, I thought I was going to get beat. Not, oh no, we’d gone too early – the type of comment you or I might have expressed in our anxiety if placed in that position.
Just, “I wasn’t so sure.” He always allows for a positive outcome.
Pre race-day, Cummings was never fazed by the supposed might of the foreign invasion which had mere mortals scurrying for cover. Sports editors were running polls as to whether the invasion should have been allowed in the first place, while others looked at how they could curtail the threat with restrictive measures in the future.
They were being pessimistic.
Cummings did have a view on the number of visitors that should be allowed, but he never shirked a battle against the best and he just went quietly about his business – the business of preparing Melbourne Cup winners.
On Derby Day, he qualified Moatize to give him two runners in the Cup. Viewed was already in the field. Cummings had all but dodged the spotlight until then, and it quickly moved elsewhere again as conflict between some demanding visitors and rule-efficient racing officials quickly returned to centre stage.
That suited Cummings. He was again allowed to fly under the radar, left to prepare and plan his ambush.
After Viewed had won, Cummings must have wondered where all the so-called experts came from out of the woodwork. Surrounded by microphones, flashing cameras and flashing smiles, he must have known he had just upstaged them all in wondrous fashion.
Now they hung on his every word. A master of this profession ... a magician ... a genius lauded by his subjects. Moments don’t come more regal than that!
It will remain a memory firmly etched in racing history.
But spare a though, as Cummings would have, for trainer Luca Cumani and his team. No, they didn’t win the Melbourne Cup, but they put in a momentous effort and had to swallow the bitter pill of finishing as runner-up for the second successive year.
They are getting closer – in fact any closer would have been a dead-heat this time around. Always professional, never contentious, they conducted themselves with credit throughout their campaign, both on and off the track.
Make no mistake ,we want the Cup to stay in Australia again next year but, if that is not to be, most Australian racing enthusiasts have found a possible future foreign winner they might just be comfortable with.
PART 2: A BAD IRISH JOKE.
Did you hear the one about the three Irish stayers ... well actually, we won’t go there. It’s not funny at all – particularly for those who backed the well-supported Septimus.
The farcical effort of the three Aiden O’Brien trained runners in the Cup was the shocker of the Carnival.
Whatever arrogance led the stable to believe that the Cup would prove to be little more than a training gallop for their might and power, and that all three of the O’Brien runners could go out and set an unrealistic tempo in front and still smash their rivals, the undeniable point is their game-plan showed scant respect for both the high quality tradition of the race and the standard of the opposition.
It was a brain implosion of the highest order and it was no wonder that their world came crashing down in a neat pile at the head of the home straight.
To say that this absolute failure was an embarrassment to the O’Brien team is an absolute understatement.
But while O’Brien’s reputation plunged like the Dow Jones on the day and his angry response at the condition of the track highlighted the fact that he is a sore loser, arguably the most scandalous part of all, is that he and his three riders, who had punters wondering if they had one brain cell between them when they powered away together in the back straight, were all allowed to leave to lick their wounds without one of them being handed a penalty by racing stewards.
As per the Stewards Report, it can be noted that Stewards did open an enquiry, “into the riding tactics adopted on Septimus (IRE) (J Murtagh), Honolulu (IRE) (C O’Donoghue) and Alessandro Volta (IRE) (W Lorden) given that the three horses were ridden in a forward position and having established a considerable margin in front of the remainder of the field before all horses gave ground in the straight."
The report continues: “After taking evidence from the riders concerned, Stewards felt that further questions had to be asked given that the evidence tendered by W Lorden and C O’Donoghue was conflicting. Therefore, trainer Mr Aiden O’Brien was asked to attend the inquiry to establish what the instructions to each rider were.
“The Stewards had to consider whether any particular rider had a charge to answer under the provisions of AR.135(b) where a rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
“After taking into account all the evidence before them, the Stewards were not prepared to proceed with a charge against J Murtagh given that Septimus (IRE) had pulled up lame in both forelegs, or C O’Donoghue, given that Honolulu (IRE) had pulled up lame in the near foreleg.
“On the evidence before the Stewards and viewing the race objectively, the Stewards had to be satisfied that the ride on Alessandro Volta was culpable in the sense that it is blameworthy and deserving of punishment. Although the Stewards had grave doubts about the ride, they believe that after taking into account all the circumstances, a charge under AR.135(b) was not warranted. No action was taken against Mr O’Brien.”
So let me get this right. If you run your horse into the ground against all reasonable racing patterns (and the horse has been vetted as being one hundred percent fit prior to the race), and it returns lame, the rider, because of the lameness which affected his run, is immune from being charged with failing to give his mount every possible chance in the race?
Sounds Irish to me.
Go-figure.
While Stewards in the end settled most of their attention on the ride on Allessandro Volta, they should have focussed more on Johnny Murtagh’s ride on Septimus.
The top weight carried hundreds of thousands, if not a couple of million dollars of punters money on his back. It didn’t matter which hemisphere you were in (ie whether the money went down the toilet clockwise or anti-clockwise), the investment disappeared and was well flushed away long before the field turned for home.
Murtagh is no fool and is not short of talent, as is evidenced by his twenty Group 1 wins in 2008, so why he acted the clown on Melbourne Cup day remains difficult to fathom and just how his name does not appear on the following list is, in my opinion, even more of a mystery.
Steven Arnold, Glen Boss, Greg Childs, Jason Holder, Kerryn McEvoy, Peter Mertens, Dan Nikolic, Brett Prebble, Damian Oliver, Nash Rawiller and James Winks – all of these riders picked up suspensions during Cup week.
But, as always, whatever the merit of any argument, the result is in the book and the page has now been turned.
Which leaves me with just one last item of late-mail to deliver.
After their lucrative result, bookmakers around the country were rumoured to be considering whether to commission (another) statue of Bart Cummings or whether to build one in memory of the fallen visitors who have tried and failed to win our great race. The late-mail is, bookmakers apparently couldn’t agree on which way to go, so they have decided to keep all of their money.
Monday, November 10, 2008
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, NOV 9)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, November 9.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Following a track inspection at 5 am which found the track to be heavy, and with the forecast of further rain, the race meeting was transferred to the cushion track and as a result 1200-metre distances of races 2, 5 and 6 were reduced to 1100 metres.
Race 1:
QTIS 3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - A Scarletpimpernel; 2nd - Moubassin; 3rd - Hawk Hunter
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair: “He’s a handful. He’s a mongrel of a horse. If he wasn’t so well bred he would be gelded by now, but least he backs up his attitude with some ability ... and he is still learning so we’ll see how things go. He hit the line well which was very encouraging.”
A Scarletpimpernel was the first of two winners on the day for the Mick Mair stable. Mair completed a stable double with Monashee Princess in the last race on the card.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Len’s Gift (J. Piper) shifted out abruptly at the start and bumped Kyuss (D. Craven). Passing the 500m, A Scarletpimpernel (K. Pope) had to be steadied after improving on to the heels of Hawk Hunter (E Wilkinson). Boodua (J. Wood) was inclined to hang out rounding the home turn. Kyuss (D. Craven) bled during the event and when being eased down in the straight, D. Craven was dislodged from gelding. Kyuss will be barred from racing for a period of 3 months. Jockey E. Wilkinson was examined by the club's doctor following this event and stood down from his remaining engagement on Kaadeema and was replaced by K. Wharton.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Handicap - 1100m
1st - It's Wunderbar; 2nd - La Bandera; 3rd - A Pair Of Diamonds
Trainer Jeremy Vaughan: “You know when they talk about a horse being a big baby. Well he’s just a big baby, mate. He doesn’t know what he’s doing and we’ve been trying to work him out. We’ve had him jumping and all kinds of things to help his education, but it’s just a maturity thing, which hopefully time will take care of. It was his first run for me and he is winning at only his second start so it things could be worse.”
It might be an old racing saying that, ‘the smaller the field the bigger the upset,’ but that result is now clearly exceeding the law of averages. It’s Wunderbar started at 15-1 in a five horse field.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
La Bandera (J. Byrne) was obliged to race wide from the 700m. Grand Mark (C. Spry) was inclined to hang out under pressure in the straight.
Race 3:
Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st -Captain Darling; 2nd - Hamatym; 3rd - Williamstown
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He did it well. Never easy to do it at both ends, but you have to attack on this (Cushion) track don’t you. You have to either lead or be close to the speed.”
Jockey Sean Cormack: “There was a bit of pressure on early and I was worried about whether I was using him up too much early and whether that pressure might take its toll at the end, but he stuck to his task and finished off well. I rode him when he was first-up in his previous start. That was over five furlongs and they were a bit quick for him, but he still turned in a respectable performance. His best result prior to this was over a second placing over 1400m so, yeah, this (1400m) could be a good distance for him.”
This win was the first official success on their home track for the newly formed training partnership of Bruce and Jason McLachlan. The duo immediately backed up and made it a race-to-race double when Irishkiwi won the next race on the card.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Astrologist (B. Pengelly) began awkwardly. Astrologist over-raced in the early stages. Hamatym (K. Pope) had to be steadied away from the heels of Mucho Gracias (J. Piper) near the 700m and near the 600m had to be steadied away from the weakening Astrologist. Resurrected (D. Griffin) and Hamatym (K. Pope) bumped on a number of occasions on straightening. So Long (P. Hammersley) and Archway’s Bliss (A. Pattillo) raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Resurrected, D. Griffin stated that the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages, however failed to respond to his riding once placed under pressure inside the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination of Resurrected failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Jockey B. Pengelly was questioned regarding the poor performance of Astrologist. Trainer J. Wallace's representative Mr T. Duckett could offer no excuse for the performance, and undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality which may become apparent with the horse that may have had a bearing on the performance.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m
1st – Irishkiwi; 2nd – Zabullion; 3rd - Napper Tandy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Sean Cormack: “It is never easy jumping up from a Maiden to a Class 2 (which is what Irishkiwi did), but when I looked at the speed map for the race I knew it be run to my advantage. There was no speed in the race and I was always confident that I would be able to control the pace. I thought my stable companion Zabullion was my main danger, but I knew he didn’t have as a quick a turn of foot as my mount so I thought I’d be able to hold him off. The track was running fast as well which helped my horse. The race went pretty much as I expected.”
Irishkiwi completed a double in his own right. The gelding also gave the McLachlan / Cormack combination a double on the day.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sword Of Honour (K. Wharton) was obliged to race wide throughout. Zabullion (L. Dittman) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight until inside the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination of Kin Kiss revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg and sore in both fetlocks. Trainer T. Miller was advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Kin Kiss prior to its next race start.
Race 5:
Class 1 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Blow The Bugle; 2nd - Blue Freeze; 3rd - Mille Miglia
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “It’s his second run for me. He was only a half-neck away last time. Most of his runs have been over 1400m, but I really think he is suited to this shorter trip. He’s the kind of horse that likes to keep right up there. He doesn’t want to be held back. I think if he went any further he might not be able to explode the way he has done in his last two starts.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tycoon Ken (B. Calkin) and Blow The Bugle (J. Byrne) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Tully Tenor (P. Wolfgram) raced wide throughout.
Race 6:
Open Handicap - 1100m
1st – Malta; 2nd - Stood Up; 3rd - Picture Book
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Robert Heathcote trained chestnut rekindled memories of his feature race win on the opening day of Cushion Track back in April. Now a nine-year-old, Malta defied top weight to win in comfortable fashion under another more than competent ride from Brad Pengelly.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Picture Book (S. Cormack) began awkwardly and then over-raced in the early and middle stages. Set Alight (J. Byrne) got its head up and raced ungenerously in the early stages. Try Some Magic (G. Geran) was held up momentarily on straightening. Picture Book raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding Malta racing in a more forward position today, B. Pengelly stated that he was instructed to ride the gelding aggressively early from its wide barrier, however due to the lack of early pace in the race, the gelding settled in a more forward position than anticipated. The explanation was noted.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Try Some Magic, G. Geran stated that, in his opinion, the drop back in distance today from 1600m at its last start to 1100m today was a contributing factor to the horse's performance today. Stewards noted the explanation. A post-race veterinary examination of Try Some Magic failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 4 Handicap - 1600m
1st - No Technique; 2nd - Cash In A Hurry; 3rd - No Limitation
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall (... who danced his way to the winners’ enclosure. Either that, or he was showing how he had ridden the horse home from the grandstand over the last 100m): “If you can’t have fun when you’re winning you should be somewhere else. That was a really nice race for us. We had the leader (No Limitation) and he was paying 20-1 so we were shouting for him, and we had had No Technique closing from behind. Cash in a Hurry threatened to spoil it for us but we got there.”
No Technique completed a double for Trainer Troy Hall and jockey Jim Byrne on the day. Hall shared the day’s training honours with the Mair and the McLachlan stables. Byrne and Sean Cormack shared the day’s riding honours.
The race was an expensive outing for apprentice jockey Jana Piper who picked up a $400,00 penalty for returning to scale overweight and also received a nine meeting suspension when found guilty on a careless riding charge. Piper still leads the Sunshine Coast Jockey’s Premiership by one win. Sean Cormack’s double on the day lifted the McLachlan stable retained rider into second spot.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prized Packet (M. Palmer) was inclined to over-race in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 400m, Frisco’s In Charge (S. Galloway) shifted out to obtain clear running, making contact with Alvaldi (A. Taylor).
No Technique (J. Byrne), Cash In A Hurry (S. Cormack) and Crique (K. Wharton) raced wide for the majority of the event.
J. Piper, rider of No Limitation was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that after leaving the 200m, when being ridden along, No Limitation commenced to shift out and continued to shift out to a point near the 50m, resulting in Frisco’s In Charge being taken out on to Alvaldi (A. Taylor), which resulted in Frisco’s In Charge to be checked and lose its position. J. Piper was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 9 meetings, to commence at midnight, 9 November 2008 and to expire at midnight, 23 November 2008.
Apprentice J. Piper was fined $400 for returning to scale overweight on 3rd placegetter No Limitation. In issuing penalty stewards took into account J. Piper's poor record in regards to this matter.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Monashee Princess; 2nd - Don't Call Me Bruce; 3rd - Zibo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Mick Mair stable completed a double on the day when Monashee Princess prevailed by a narrow margin following a pressurised, stride for stride battle with the more fancied Don’t Call Me Bruce in the final chase to the line.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Mrs Dittmier (M. Speers) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Monashee Princess (J. Taylor) raced wide leaving the 800m. Monashee Princess (J. Taylor) shifted in under pressure leaving the 100m, crowding Zibo (S. Cormack) in on to King Xavier (M. Heagney), which had to be steadied off the heels of Don’t Call Me Bruce (B. Pengelly). J. Taylor, rider of Monashee Princess, was advised to exercise more care.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Following a track inspection at 5 am which found the track to be heavy, and with the forecast of further rain, the race meeting was transferred to the cushion track and as a result 1200-metre distances of races 2, 5 and 6 were reduced to 1100 metres.
Race 1:
QTIS 3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - A Scarletpimpernel; 2nd - Moubassin; 3rd - Hawk Hunter
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair: “He’s a handful. He’s a mongrel of a horse. If he wasn’t so well bred he would be gelded by now, but least he backs up his attitude with some ability ... and he is still learning so we’ll see how things go. He hit the line well which was very encouraging.”
A Scarletpimpernel was the first of two winners on the day for the Mick Mair stable. Mair completed a stable double with Monashee Princess in the last race on the card.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Len’s Gift (J. Piper) shifted out abruptly at the start and bumped Kyuss (D. Craven). Passing the 500m, A Scarletpimpernel (K. Pope) had to be steadied after improving on to the heels of Hawk Hunter (E Wilkinson). Boodua (J. Wood) was inclined to hang out rounding the home turn. Kyuss (D. Craven) bled during the event and when being eased down in the straight, D. Craven was dislodged from gelding. Kyuss will be barred from racing for a period of 3 months. Jockey E. Wilkinson was examined by the club's doctor following this event and stood down from his remaining engagement on Kaadeema and was replaced by K. Wharton.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Handicap - 1100m
1st - It's Wunderbar; 2nd - La Bandera; 3rd - A Pair Of Diamonds
Trainer Jeremy Vaughan: “You know when they talk about a horse being a big baby. Well he’s just a big baby, mate. He doesn’t know what he’s doing and we’ve been trying to work him out. We’ve had him jumping and all kinds of things to help his education, but it’s just a maturity thing, which hopefully time will take care of. It was his first run for me and he is winning at only his second start so it things could be worse.”
It might be an old racing saying that, ‘the smaller the field the bigger the upset,’ but that result is now clearly exceeding the law of averages. It’s Wunderbar started at 15-1 in a five horse field.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
La Bandera (J. Byrne) was obliged to race wide from the 700m. Grand Mark (C. Spry) was inclined to hang out under pressure in the straight.
Race 3:
Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st -Captain Darling; 2nd - Hamatym; 3rd - Williamstown
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He did it well. Never easy to do it at both ends, but you have to attack on this (Cushion) track don’t you. You have to either lead or be close to the speed.”
Jockey Sean Cormack: “There was a bit of pressure on early and I was worried about whether I was using him up too much early and whether that pressure might take its toll at the end, but he stuck to his task and finished off well. I rode him when he was first-up in his previous start. That was over five furlongs and they were a bit quick for him, but he still turned in a respectable performance. His best result prior to this was over a second placing over 1400m so, yeah, this (1400m) could be a good distance for him.”
This win was the first official success on their home track for the newly formed training partnership of Bruce and Jason McLachlan. The duo immediately backed up and made it a race-to-race double when Irishkiwi won the next race on the card.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Astrologist (B. Pengelly) began awkwardly. Astrologist over-raced in the early stages. Hamatym (K. Pope) had to be steadied away from the heels of Mucho Gracias (J. Piper) near the 700m and near the 600m had to be steadied away from the weakening Astrologist. Resurrected (D. Griffin) and Hamatym (K. Pope) bumped on a number of occasions on straightening. So Long (P. Hammersley) and Archway’s Bliss (A. Pattillo) raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Resurrected, D. Griffin stated that the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages, however failed to respond to his riding once placed under pressure inside the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination of Resurrected failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Jockey B. Pengelly was questioned regarding the poor performance of Astrologist. Trainer J. Wallace's representative Mr T. Duckett could offer no excuse for the performance, and undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality which may become apparent with the horse that may have had a bearing on the performance.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m
1st – Irishkiwi; 2nd – Zabullion; 3rd - Napper Tandy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Sean Cormack: “It is never easy jumping up from a Maiden to a Class 2 (which is what Irishkiwi did), but when I looked at the speed map for the race I knew it be run to my advantage. There was no speed in the race and I was always confident that I would be able to control the pace. I thought my stable companion Zabullion was my main danger, but I knew he didn’t have as a quick a turn of foot as my mount so I thought I’d be able to hold him off. The track was running fast as well which helped my horse. The race went pretty much as I expected.”
Irishkiwi completed a double in his own right. The gelding also gave the McLachlan / Cormack combination a double on the day.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sword Of Honour (K. Wharton) was obliged to race wide throughout. Zabullion (L. Dittman) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight until inside the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination of Kin Kiss revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg and sore in both fetlocks. Trainer T. Miller was advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Kin Kiss prior to its next race start.
Race 5:
Class 1 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Blow The Bugle; 2nd - Blue Freeze; 3rd - Mille Miglia
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “It’s his second run for me. He was only a half-neck away last time. Most of his runs have been over 1400m, but I really think he is suited to this shorter trip. He’s the kind of horse that likes to keep right up there. He doesn’t want to be held back. I think if he went any further he might not be able to explode the way he has done in his last two starts.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tycoon Ken (B. Calkin) and Blow The Bugle (J. Byrne) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Tully Tenor (P. Wolfgram) raced wide throughout.
Race 6:
Open Handicap - 1100m
1st – Malta; 2nd - Stood Up; 3rd - Picture Book
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Robert Heathcote trained chestnut rekindled memories of his feature race win on the opening day of Cushion Track back in April. Now a nine-year-old, Malta defied top weight to win in comfortable fashion under another more than competent ride from Brad Pengelly.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Picture Book (S. Cormack) began awkwardly and then over-raced in the early and middle stages. Set Alight (J. Byrne) got its head up and raced ungenerously in the early stages. Try Some Magic (G. Geran) was held up momentarily on straightening. Picture Book raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding Malta racing in a more forward position today, B. Pengelly stated that he was instructed to ride the gelding aggressively early from its wide barrier, however due to the lack of early pace in the race, the gelding settled in a more forward position than anticipated. The explanation was noted.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Try Some Magic, G. Geran stated that, in his opinion, the drop back in distance today from 1600m at its last start to 1100m today was a contributing factor to the horse's performance today. Stewards noted the explanation. A post-race veterinary examination of Try Some Magic failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 4 Handicap - 1600m
1st - No Technique; 2nd - Cash In A Hurry; 3rd - No Limitation
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall (... who danced his way to the winners’ enclosure. Either that, or he was showing how he had ridden the horse home from the grandstand over the last 100m): “If you can’t have fun when you’re winning you should be somewhere else. That was a really nice race for us. We had the leader (No Limitation) and he was paying 20-1 so we were shouting for him, and we had had No Technique closing from behind. Cash in a Hurry threatened to spoil it for us but we got there.”
No Technique completed a double for Trainer Troy Hall and jockey Jim Byrne on the day. Hall shared the day’s training honours with the Mair and the McLachlan stables. Byrne and Sean Cormack shared the day’s riding honours.
The race was an expensive outing for apprentice jockey Jana Piper who picked up a $400,00 penalty for returning to scale overweight and also received a nine meeting suspension when found guilty on a careless riding charge. Piper still leads the Sunshine Coast Jockey’s Premiership by one win. Sean Cormack’s double on the day lifted the McLachlan stable retained rider into second spot.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prized Packet (M. Palmer) was inclined to over-race in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 400m, Frisco’s In Charge (S. Galloway) shifted out to obtain clear running, making contact with Alvaldi (A. Taylor).
No Technique (J. Byrne), Cash In A Hurry (S. Cormack) and Crique (K. Wharton) raced wide for the majority of the event.
J. Piper, rider of No Limitation was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that after leaving the 200m, when being ridden along, No Limitation commenced to shift out and continued to shift out to a point near the 50m, resulting in Frisco’s In Charge being taken out on to Alvaldi (A. Taylor), which resulted in Frisco’s In Charge to be checked and lose its position. J. Piper was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 9 meetings, to commence at midnight, 9 November 2008 and to expire at midnight, 23 November 2008.
Apprentice J. Piper was fined $400 for returning to scale overweight on 3rd placegetter No Limitation. In issuing penalty stewards took into account J. Piper's poor record in regards to this matter.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Monashee Princess; 2nd - Don't Call Me Bruce; 3rd - Zibo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Mick Mair stable completed a double on the day when Monashee Princess prevailed by a narrow margin following a pressurised, stride for stride battle with the more fancied Don’t Call Me Bruce in the final chase to the line.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Mrs Dittmier (M. Speers) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Monashee Princess (J. Taylor) raced wide leaving the 800m. Monashee Princess (J. Taylor) shifted in under pressure leaving the 100m, crowding Zibo (S. Cormack) in on to King Xavier (M. Heagney), which had to be steadied off the heels of Don’t Call Me Bruce (B. Pengelly). J. Taylor, rider of Monashee Princess, was advised to exercise more care.
DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, NOV 08)
A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, November 8.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
From BTC meeting, 1.11.08
Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the reason for Steal The Cash falling passing the 200m in race 1, the Rochele Painting QTIS Handicap. Subsequently, G. Colless, rider of The Beast, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that passing the 200m he allowed his mount to shift in dictating the line of Saratoga (P. Wolfgram), which in turn shifted in, tightening Steal The Cash (A. Taylor), resulting in Steal The Cash being checked, and when being checked clipping the heels Saratoga and falling, dislodging A. Taylor. G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 3 weeks, to commence at midnight, 9 November and to expire at midnight, 30 November 2008.
Race 1:
QTIS 3yo Handicap- 1640m
1st –Seesawing; 2nd - Athenas Gift; 3rd - River Perfume
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “She had more to do at the weights with the other one (Athena Gift) but she did it pretty the same as she did when she won last time.” (The winner was 1.5kg worse off at the weight with Athenas Gift on their last clash – but still received 3.5kg, a winning advantage, from the runner-up).
Jockey Jim Byrne: “Last time I got a bit further back than I wanted to so her win there was probably a bit better than it looked. There wasn’t too much tempo in the race this time and I took the trail on the leaders. I was worried that Athena’s Gift would get a soft run up front – well he did get a soft run – but when I peeled off their backs and let her go in the straight she let down very quickly. She showed a very good turn of foot. After that it wasn’t so much that I had to keep working at her, but she did want to run in onto the other horse so all I had to do to win was keep her straight and focussed.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Left Standing (G. Colless) jumped outwards at the start, taking A Little Knowledge (B. Payne) out on to River Perfume (A. Taylor), which had to be steadied off the heels of Seesawing (J. Byrne). Shortly after straightening, Left Standing was disappointed for a run to the outside of Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly). Inside the final 50m, Athenas Gift shifted in and made contact with the running rail of its own accord.
When questioned regarding Three Tales racing forward to as opposed to its previous start, jockey S. Drake stated her instructions were to ride the horse in its customary position in the back half of the field. She added that the horse had the benefit of blinkers today for the first time, and from the wide alley Three Tales jumped well and was inclined to race keenly in the early stages and instead of being caught wide, she allowed her mount to proceed forward and take up a position outside Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly).
G. Colless was questioned regarding the performance of Left Standing. He stated that the horse travelled in a handy position throughout the event, however after having difficulty obtaining a run shortly after entering the straight, Left Standing failed to run on as expected. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse may not have run out the 1640m distance of today's event. Trainer G. Heinrich agreed that the horse did not run out the distance of today's event, and added she would consider keeping Left Standing to races over shorter distances.
Race 2:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1030m
1st – Brujita; 2nd – Fairchild; 3rd - Bella Sirena
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “We don’t wind our horses up. We just let them build up to form naturally. We knew she would take a lot of improvement out of her first run (behind the highly rated Paprika) and I’ll venture to suggest she will take a lot more improvement out of this run as well.”
Jockey Phillip Wolfgram: “We’ve always had a high opinion of her. We are just pushing ahead steadily with the plan of getting more prize-money behind her name so that she can go on and take her place in the Magic Millions.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Paper Weight, which was fractious in the float travelling to the course, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Paper Weight (K. Wharton) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 600m, Double Heart improved up on to the heels of Matalan (J. Byrne) and had to be steadied. Passing the 500m, Dellblu commenced to lay out and did so for the remainder of the event. Rounding the home turn, Bella Sirena shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped Matalan. Wicked Angel (S. Seamer) and Rainy Knight (S. Galloway) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Blow A Kiss failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3:
Open Handicap - 2220m
1st – Tariki; 2nd - Mr Gold Fire; 3rd - Crowning Force
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Paul Hammersley (whose aggressive ride helped carry the day): “There was no speed on and he is an outright stayer so I had no hesitation in sending him forward. He is very one-paced but doesn’t stop so, once they let him steal a couple of lengths on them at a vital stage of the running, they were always going to be chasing.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned jockey G. Colless regarding the tactics adopted on On The Up, which settled at the rear of the field. G. Colless stated that from the wide alley and due to the anticipated tempo of the race, connections elected to settle the horse back closer to the rail. He added that after jumping he allowed On The Up to settle back and obtain a position behind the favourite Pay me, anticipating that horse would cart him into the race at a crucial point, however he added that Pay me was under pressure at the 800m and he was obliged to shift out to allow his mount to stride forward. Stewards adjourned the matter to enable them to interview trainer Mr R. Heathcote.
Jockey B. Pengelly was questioned regarding the poor performance of Currigee. He stated that the horse raced in a prominent position throughout however was beaten shortly after straightening. He added that, in his opinion, Currigee raced like a tired horse. Trainer B. Guy was at a loss to explain the disappointing run and undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality that may come to light in the days following the race that may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Currigee failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 4:
4yo & Up Class 6 Handicap - 1640m
1st – Daedalus; 2nd - Burgundy Prince; 3rd - Nasadispute
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “He did it from the front at the Coast last time and he did it again here. That’s the way he needs to run. The senior jocks always want to hold him back, but you can’t do that and get a result. He needs to race the way he wants to. That’s the key to him.
“We always thought he could win over a mile – and he’s done that now. He was stepping up in distance for a third successive run here, but that’s it now. The mile was our target. We won’t ask him to go any further.”
Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “He jumped well from a good alley. He’s a free-rolling horse and he got easy sectionals and then sprinted up well from the top of the straight. He finished off strongly. 1600m could be his go.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tag (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1400m, Belles Opinion (K. Wharton) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of O’Tonda (M. Radecker), which shifted in.
Race 5:
2MW Handicap - 1030m
1st - Vive Le Roi; 2nd - Red Letter Daze; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey: Ryan Wiggins: “It was a tough little race. He’s a tough sort though and he made his own luck. He jumped well and put some of the fancies behind him and he did an even better job in the straight to keep them there. Barry (Baldwin) was very confident.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m, Borsha’s Warrior had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Abirra, which shifted in. Bazzooka (S. Seamer) was inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Bazzooka, Abirra (J. Taylor), True Flyer and Borsha’s Warrior (J. Byrne) all raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned jockey J. Byrne regarding his riding of Borsha’s Warrior, in particular in the early stages after beginning awkwardly, and whether there was an opportunity for him to obtain a position closer to the fence and therefore obtain cover in the early stages. Jockey Byrne stated he was instructed to ride the horse in a forward position. He added that after jumping away awkwardly, he attempted to have Borsha’s Warrior muster speed in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position as instructed, however as the horse was unable to muster early speed as anticipated, he was caught wide as a result. Stewards noted J. Byrne's explanation. A post-race veterinary examination of Borsha’s Warrior failed to reveal any abnormalities. A swab sample was taken from Borsha’s Warrior.
Race 6:
QTIS Class 6 3yo & Handicap - 1200m
1st – Borsha’s Mark; 2nd - On the Fridge; 3rd - Main Vein
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Les Kelly: “He was really crook after the third EI injection at the start of the year – and it’s taken him this long to come back. He’s better this prep. He came back strong but was still just short of a run last time. Thankfully, he showed his right now. His target will be the Triple Crown sprint races which start here in December.”
Jockey Joshua Jones: “I had to give him a dig to get him across from the wide barrier. Once he got across he was always travelling well. Early in the straight I had a handful of horse and I knew he would kick on strongly to the line.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
She’s In The Guide (A. Pattillo) sprawled on jumping away; and shifted in, bumping Thorondo (J. Bowditch). Near the 800m, Thornodo had to be steadied when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Socialist (B. Pengelly), which shifted out when being steadied off the heels of On The Fridge (J. Byrne).
Approaching the 700m, Paymore (M. Radecker), which was inclined to lay out, shifted out and had to be steadied off the heels of Count Henry (A. Coome). On The Fridge (J. Byrne), which was racing to the outside of Paymore had to be steadied . Socialist (B. Pengelly) and Sir Xaar (C. McIver), which were following, both had to be checked in consequence. Approaching the 200m, Pride Of Power (Michael Palmer) had to be steadied when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor), which shifted out slightly. Paymore (M. Radecker) laid out rounding the home turn. In the early stages of the straight, Main Vein (G. Colless) was held up for clear running. Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) raced wide throughout.
G. Colless, rider of Main Vein pleaded guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he allowed his mount to shift out near the 100m when insufficiently clear of Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and as a result of Courtyard Circle had to be checked when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance and Main Vein (G. Colless). G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period of 8 meetings. Stewards ordered this penalty be served partially concurrent with the 3 weeks suspension previously handed down for a careless riding suspension incurred from an incident which occurred at the BTC meeting on 1 November. This suspension will expire at midnight, 5 December 2008.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1350m
1st - Nellie Got There; 2nd – Nexgen; 3rd - Pentacity
WINNER FEEDBACK:
This race provided a small piece of racing history in Queensland as it was the first winner of an officially registered ‘training partnership’ with the father and son team of Bruce and Jason McLachlan claiming that honour - although they did have to survive a protest before the ‘all clear’ was posted.
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “Look we’ve been waiting for this partnership thing to come through for a long time in Queensland. Other states have had the rule for a while already. We set it up about a month ago but there is a lot of red tape to go through and this was our first day racing in partnership. We had two runners today. So far the partnership has had a third and a winner.
“It was logical for us to get into it instead of pursuing separate careers. Dad’s getting to the age now where he should be taking it easier. He’s 66 and I’m 38, so we should provide a nice mix. How do we get on? We get on very well. Mutual respect, you know. That is until we get behind closed doors – then it’s on! No seriously, we do work well together. Like today. He’s not here because we needed a bit of luck today, so he had to go home.
“As far as Nellie Got There is concerned, he is the most versatile horse you can find. He can go 1400m, 2000m ... it can be wet, it can be dry, he will always deliver his best. He’s tough too. I’d rather feed him than fight him.”
Jockey Sean Cormack: “He ran out away from the whip in the straight, which apparently he has done before as a young horse, but he never touched the other horse (Nexgen). I did manage to straighten him late and he came home strong.”
A protest was lodged (on behalf of the second placed Nexgen against the winner Nellie Got There). Matthew Palmer, rider of Nexgen stated that Nellie Got There, “had progressively moved out impeding my rightful run and denying me a clear passage in the straight.” Palmer further stated that, with the winning distance being only a head, the five to six horse-widths outward movement had compromised his chances, particularly as his mount continued to move out, having been forced on that course, after Cormack had straightened Nellie Got There over the final 50m. Palmer concluded that, “with true running, there is no question I would have beaten the winner.”
Jockey Sean Cormack countered with the argument, “I put my hands down and the stick away when straightening my mount over the final 50m. There was no contact and he was never going to get past me.”
The protest was dismissed.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by Matthew Palmer, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Nexgen, against Nellie Got There being declared the winner, alleging interference in the straight. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the film, stewards were of the opinion that approaching the 200m, Nexgen shifted out and away from Nellie Got There of its own accord, and further believed that near the 100m, Nellie Got There had dictated the line of Nexgen for a short distance. Given the head margin at the finish, stewards could not be satisfied that the minimal interference suffered by Nexgen warranted a reversal of placings and therefore the protest was dismissed and correct weight declared on the Judge's placings. At a subsequent inquiry, S. Cormack, rider of Nellie Got There, was reminded of his obligations to ensure his mounts stay on a straight course in the run to the finish.
Pentacity (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Majorca (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1000m, Master Denis (J. Bowditch) and Nexgen brushed. Rebounded and Master Denis raced 3 wide throughout. Blood ‘N’ Bone was held up for clear running in the early stages of straight. Near the 300m, Rebounded (M. Radecker) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Nexgen (M. Palmer), which shifted out, and Master Denis (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 150m, Blood ‘N’ Bone broke down and was retired from the event. A post-race veterinary examination of Blood ‘N’ Bone revealed the horse had broken down in the near fore sesamoid.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Save A Buck; 2nd - Deception Bay; 3rd - Tejada
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Hardy: “He ran a tremendous race first-up last time. He was left five lengths. No such problems today. Good passage and good finish. He’s just so consistent. If you take away that run when he missed the start, he has only finished out of the first three once in twelve starts.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rounding the 800m turn, My First Affair (S. Seamer) shifted out off the heels of Save A Buck (G. Colless) and had to be steadied. Near the 750m, Tims Image (J. Byrne) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Gun Salute (D. Craven). Gun Salute, Tejada, and Blue Oyster (C. McIver) raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Surety, J. Jones stated that the horse travelled well early however passing the 800m was under pressure and failed to respond to his riding and compounded in the straight. Trainer S. Lee will be interviewed regarding the horse's performance to ascertain whether anything had come to light in the days following to explain the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Surety failed to reveal any abnormalities.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
From BTC meeting, 1.11.08
Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the reason for Steal The Cash falling passing the 200m in race 1, the Rochele Painting QTIS Handicap. Subsequently, G. Colless, rider of The Beast, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that passing the 200m he allowed his mount to shift in dictating the line of Saratoga (P. Wolfgram), which in turn shifted in, tightening Steal The Cash (A. Taylor), resulting in Steal The Cash being checked, and when being checked clipping the heels Saratoga and falling, dislodging A. Taylor. G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 3 weeks, to commence at midnight, 9 November and to expire at midnight, 30 November 2008.
Race 1:
QTIS 3yo Handicap- 1640m
1st –Seesawing; 2nd - Athenas Gift; 3rd - River Perfume
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “She had more to do at the weights with the other one (Athena Gift) but she did it pretty the same as she did when she won last time.” (The winner was 1.5kg worse off at the weight with Athenas Gift on their last clash – but still received 3.5kg, a winning advantage, from the runner-up).
Jockey Jim Byrne: “Last time I got a bit further back than I wanted to so her win there was probably a bit better than it looked. There wasn’t too much tempo in the race this time and I took the trail on the leaders. I was worried that Athena’s Gift would get a soft run up front – well he did get a soft run – but when I peeled off their backs and let her go in the straight she let down very quickly. She showed a very good turn of foot. After that it wasn’t so much that I had to keep working at her, but she did want to run in onto the other horse so all I had to do to win was keep her straight and focussed.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Left Standing (G. Colless) jumped outwards at the start, taking A Little Knowledge (B. Payne) out on to River Perfume (A. Taylor), which had to be steadied off the heels of Seesawing (J. Byrne). Shortly after straightening, Left Standing was disappointed for a run to the outside of Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly). Inside the final 50m, Athenas Gift shifted in and made contact with the running rail of its own accord.
When questioned regarding Three Tales racing forward to as opposed to its previous start, jockey S. Drake stated her instructions were to ride the horse in its customary position in the back half of the field. She added that the horse had the benefit of blinkers today for the first time, and from the wide alley Three Tales jumped well and was inclined to race keenly in the early stages and instead of being caught wide, she allowed her mount to proceed forward and take up a position outside Athenas Gift (B. Pengelly).
G. Colless was questioned regarding the performance of Left Standing. He stated that the horse travelled in a handy position throughout the event, however after having difficulty obtaining a run shortly after entering the straight, Left Standing failed to run on as expected. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse may not have run out the 1640m distance of today's event. Trainer G. Heinrich agreed that the horse did not run out the distance of today's event, and added she would consider keeping Left Standing to races over shorter distances.
Race 2:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1030m
1st – Brujita; 2nd – Fairchild; 3rd - Bella Sirena
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “We don’t wind our horses up. We just let them build up to form naturally. We knew she would take a lot of improvement out of her first run (behind the highly rated Paprika) and I’ll venture to suggest she will take a lot more improvement out of this run as well.”
Jockey Phillip Wolfgram: “We’ve always had a high opinion of her. We are just pushing ahead steadily with the plan of getting more prize-money behind her name so that she can go on and take her place in the Magic Millions.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Paper Weight, which was fractious in the float travelling to the course, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Paper Weight (K. Wharton) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 600m, Double Heart improved up on to the heels of Matalan (J. Byrne) and had to be steadied. Passing the 500m, Dellblu commenced to lay out and did so for the remainder of the event. Rounding the home turn, Bella Sirena shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped Matalan. Wicked Angel (S. Seamer) and Rainy Knight (S. Galloway) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Blow A Kiss failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3:
Open Handicap - 2220m
1st – Tariki; 2nd - Mr Gold Fire; 3rd - Crowning Force
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Paul Hammersley (whose aggressive ride helped carry the day): “There was no speed on and he is an outright stayer so I had no hesitation in sending him forward. He is very one-paced but doesn’t stop so, once they let him steal a couple of lengths on them at a vital stage of the running, they were always going to be chasing.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned jockey G. Colless regarding the tactics adopted on On The Up, which settled at the rear of the field. G. Colless stated that from the wide alley and due to the anticipated tempo of the race, connections elected to settle the horse back closer to the rail. He added that after jumping he allowed On The Up to settle back and obtain a position behind the favourite Pay me, anticipating that horse would cart him into the race at a crucial point, however he added that Pay me was under pressure at the 800m and he was obliged to shift out to allow his mount to stride forward. Stewards adjourned the matter to enable them to interview trainer Mr R. Heathcote.
Jockey B. Pengelly was questioned regarding the poor performance of Currigee. He stated that the horse raced in a prominent position throughout however was beaten shortly after straightening. He added that, in his opinion, Currigee raced like a tired horse. Trainer B. Guy was at a loss to explain the disappointing run and undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality that may come to light in the days following the race that may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Currigee failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 4:
4yo & Up Class 6 Handicap - 1640m
1st – Daedalus; 2nd - Burgundy Prince; 3rd - Nasadispute
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “He did it from the front at the Coast last time and he did it again here. That’s the way he needs to run. The senior jocks always want to hold him back, but you can’t do that and get a result. He needs to race the way he wants to. That’s the key to him.
“We always thought he could win over a mile – and he’s done that now. He was stepping up in distance for a third successive run here, but that’s it now. The mile was our target. We won’t ask him to go any further.”
Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “He jumped well from a good alley. He’s a free-rolling horse and he got easy sectionals and then sprinted up well from the top of the straight. He finished off strongly. 1600m could be his go.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tag (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1400m, Belles Opinion (K. Wharton) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of O’Tonda (M. Radecker), which shifted in.
Race 5:
2MW Handicap - 1030m
1st - Vive Le Roi; 2nd - Red Letter Daze; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey: Ryan Wiggins: “It was a tough little race. He’s a tough sort though and he made his own luck. He jumped well and put some of the fancies behind him and he did an even better job in the straight to keep them there. Barry (Baldwin) was very confident.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m, Borsha’s Warrior had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Abirra, which shifted in. Bazzooka (S. Seamer) was inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Bazzooka, Abirra (J. Taylor), True Flyer and Borsha’s Warrior (J. Byrne) all raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned jockey J. Byrne regarding his riding of Borsha’s Warrior, in particular in the early stages after beginning awkwardly, and whether there was an opportunity for him to obtain a position closer to the fence and therefore obtain cover in the early stages. Jockey Byrne stated he was instructed to ride the horse in a forward position. He added that after jumping away awkwardly, he attempted to have Borsha’s Warrior muster speed in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position as instructed, however as the horse was unable to muster early speed as anticipated, he was caught wide as a result. Stewards noted J. Byrne's explanation. A post-race veterinary examination of Borsha’s Warrior failed to reveal any abnormalities. A swab sample was taken from Borsha’s Warrior.
Race 6:
QTIS Class 6 3yo & Handicap - 1200m
1st – Borsha’s Mark; 2nd - On the Fridge; 3rd - Main Vein
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Les Kelly: “He was really crook after the third EI injection at the start of the year – and it’s taken him this long to come back. He’s better this prep. He came back strong but was still just short of a run last time. Thankfully, he showed his right now. His target will be the Triple Crown sprint races which start here in December.”
Jockey Joshua Jones: “I had to give him a dig to get him across from the wide barrier. Once he got across he was always travelling well. Early in the straight I had a handful of horse and I knew he would kick on strongly to the line.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
She’s In The Guide (A. Pattillo) sprawled on jumping away; and shifted in, bumping Thorondo (J. Bowditch). Near the 800m, Thornodo had to be steadied when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Socialist (B. Pengelly), which shifted out when being steadied off the heels of On The Fridge (J. Byrne).
Approaching the 700m, Paymore (M. Radecker), which was inclined to lay out, shifted out and had to be steadied off the heels of Count Henry (A. Coome). On The Fridge (J. Byrne), which was racing to the outside of Paymore had to be steadied . Socialist (B. Pengelly) and Sir Xaar (C. McIver), which were following, both had to be checked in consequence. Approaching the 200m, Pride Of Power (Michael Palmer) had to be steadied when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) and Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor), which shifted out slightly. Paymore (M. Radecker) laid out rounding the home turn. In the early stages of the straight, Main Vein (G. Colless) was held up for clear running. Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) raced wide throughout.
G. Colless, rider of Main Vein pleaded guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he allowed his mount to shift out near the 100m when insufficiently clear of Courtyard Circle (A. Taylor) and as a result of Courtyard Circle had to be checked when tightened for room between Dance Girl Dance and Main Vein (G. Colless). G. Colless was suspended from riding in races for a period of 8 meetings. Stewards ordered this penalty be served partially concurrent with the 3 weeks suspension previously handed down for a careless riding suspension incurred from an incident which occurred at the BTC meeting on 1 November. This suspension will expire at midnight, 5 December 2008.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1350m
1st - Nellie Got There; 2nd – Nexgen; 3rd - Pentacity
WINNER FEEDBACK:
This race provided a small piece of racing history in Queensland as it was the first winner of an officially registered ‘training partnership’ with the father and son team of Bruce and Jason McLachlan claiming that honour - although they did have to survive a protest before the ‘all clear’ was posted.
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “Look we’ve been waiting for this partnership thing to come through for a long time in Queensland. Other states have had the rule for a while already. We set it up about a month ago but there is a lot of red tape to go through and this was our first day racing in partnership. We had two runners today. So far the partnership has had a third and a winner.
“It was logical for us to get into it instead of pursuing separate careers. Dad’s getting to the age now where he should be taking it easier. He’s 66 and I’m 38, so we should provide a nice mix. How do we get on? We get on very well. Mutual respect, you know. That is until we get behind closed doors – then it’s on! No seriously, we do work well together. Like today. He’s not here because we needed a bit of luck today, so he had to go home.
“As far as Nellie Got There is concerned, he is the most versatile horse you can find. He can go 1400m, 2000m ... it can be wet, it can be dry, he will always deliver his best. He’s tough too. I’d rather feed him than fight him.”
Jockey Sean Cormack: “He ran out away from the whip in the straight, which apparently he has done before as a young horse, but he never touched the other horse (Nexgen). I did manage to straighten him late and he came home strong.”
A protest was lodged (on behalf of the second placed Nexgen against the winner Nellie Got There). Matthew Palmer, rider of Nexgen stated that Nellie Got There, “had progressively moved out impeding my rightful run and denying me a clear passage in the straight.” Palmer further stated that, with the winning distance being only a head, the five to six horse-widths outward movement had compromised his chances, particularly as his mount continued to move out, having been forced on that course, after Cormack had straightened Nellie Got There over the final 50m. Palmer concluded that, “with true running, there is no question I would have beaten the winner.”
Jockey Sean Cormack countered with the argument, “I put my hands down and the stick away when straightening my mount over the final 50m. There was no contact and he was never going to get past me.”
The protest was dismissed.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by Matthew Palmer, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Nexgen, against Nellie Got There being declared the winner, alleging interference in the straight. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the film, stewards were of the opinion that approaching the 200m, Nexgen shifted out and away from Nellie Got There of its own accord, and further believed that near the 100m, Nellie Got There had dictated the line of Nexgen for a short distance. Given the head margin at the finish, stewards could not be satisfied that the minimal interference suffered by Nexgen warranted a reversal of placings and therefore the protest was dismissed and correct weight declared on the Judge's placings. At a subsequent inquiry, S. Cormack, rider of Nellie Got There, was reminded of his obligations to ensure his mounts stay on a straight course in the run to the finish.
Pentacity (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Majorca (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 1000m, Master Denis (J. Bowditch) and Nexgen brushed. Rebounded and Master Denis raced 3 wide throughout. Blood ‘N’ Bone was held up for clear running in the early stages of straight. Near the 300m, Rebounded (M. Radecker) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Nexgen (M. Palmer), which shifted out, and Master Denis (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 150m, Blood ‘N’ Bone broke down and was retired from the event. A post-race veterinary examination of Blood ‘N’ Bone revealed the horse had broken down in the near fore sesamoid.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Save A Buck; 2nd - Deception Bay; 3rd - Tejada
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Hardy: “He ran a tremendous race first-up last time. He was left five lengths. No such problems today. Good passage and good finish. He’s just so consistent. If you take away that run when he missed the start, he has only finished out of the first three once in twelve starts.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rounding the 800m turn, My First Affair (S. Seamer) shifted out off the heels of Save A Buck (G. Colless) and had to be steadied. Near the 750m, Tims Image (J. Byrne) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Gun Salute (D. Craven). Gun Salute, Tejada, and Blue Oyster (C. McIver) raced wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Surety, J. Jones stated that the horse travelled well early however passing the 800m was under pressure and failed to respond to his riding and compounded in the straight. Trainer S. Lee will be interviewed regarding the horse's performance to ascertain whether anything had come to light in the days following to explain the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Surety failed to reveal any abnormalities.
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