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.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
BENTLEY CLARIFIES MUNCE ISSUE
Jockey Chris Munce doesn’t have to read the tea-leaves this time. Queensland Racing has spelt it out for him.
The spin from the Munce camp is that the rider decided to withdraw his application for a licence to ride in Queensland to concentrate on re-establishing in Sydney racing.
Munce is reported as saying he thinks he should ‘stay in Sydney for the time being’ in order to further ‘build momentum’ after his positive return to competitive riding at the weekend.
Withdrawing his application for a licence to ride in Queensland was Munce’s prerogative – but it was hardly a choice in the real sense of the word.
A media release by Queensland Racing left no doubt about how it views Munce’s presence on the local scene.
The release of Tuesday, December 16 reads:
‘QRL Chairman Mr Bob Bentley has stated it is necessary to put on public record QRL’s ongoing position should a further application be received.
Applicants for visiting jockey licences in Queensland are required by the rules of racing and licensing procedures to satisfy several conditions. In particular, an applicant must be free of any penalty from a racing authority in Australia or overseas.
QRL received the full details of the circumstances surrounding Chris Munce’s disqualification on December 5, 2008.
On December 5, 2008, QRL received an application from Mr Chris Munce for a Visiting Jockey Licence.
The QRL’s Licensing Committee was to consider the application at its meeting scheduled for 8:45am Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
At 4.45pm Monday, December 15 2008, Mr Munce phoned QRL to announce that he did not want to continue with his application.
Mr Munce is currently the subject of a disqualification imposed by the racing stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club on December 1, 2008.
Mr Munce, after pleading guilty for breaching Hong Kong (HK) Racing Rules 150 and 151(9) was disqualified for a period of thirty months backdated until March 2007.
This means that he is not free of disqualification in Hong Kong until September 1, 2009.
Mr Bentley said Mr Munce was advised of his rights of appeal against the decisions of the Hong Kong Racing stewards. “When he did not appeal, he gave away the right to dispute the Hong Kong disqualification,” said Mr Bentley.
“We operate in an era where the future prosperity of the industry largely depends on international competition and global wagering. This requires cooperation with all racing jurisdictions and consistent application of racing rules,” said Mr Bentley.
Under that explicit ruling, Munce’s application for a licence to ride in Queensland would have been denied, which would have further embarrassed Racing NSW, who granted the rider a licence contrary to the generally accepted international practice, where racing authorities around the world abide by disqualifications imposed in other jurisdictions.
The spin from the Munce camp is that the rider decided to withdraw his application for a licence to ride in Queensland to concentrate on re-establishing in Sydney racing.
Munce is reported as saying he thinks he should ‘stay in Sydney for the time being’ in order to further ‘build momentum’ after his positive return to competitive riding at the weekend.
Withdrawing his application for a licence to ride in Queensland was Munce’s prerogative – but it was hardly a choice in the real sense of the word.
A media release by Queensland Racing left no doubt about how it views Munce’s presence on the local scene.
The release of Tuesday, December 16 reads:
‘QRL Chairman Mr Bob Bentley has stated it is necessary to put on public record QRL’s ongoing position should a further application be received.
Applicants for visiting jockey licences in Queensland are required by the rules of racing and licensing procedures to satisfy several conditions. In particular, an applicant must be free of any penalty from a racing authority in Australia or overseas.
QRL received the full details of the circumstances surrounding Chris Munce’s disqualification on December 5, 2008.
On December 5, 2008, QRL received an application from Mr Chris Munce for a Visiting Jockey Licence.
The QRL’s Licensing Committee was to consider the application at its meeting scheduled for 8:45am Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
At 4.45pm Monday, December 15 2008, Mr Munce phoned QRL to announce that he did not want to continue with his application.
Mr Munce is currently the subject of a disqualification imposed by the racing stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club on December 1, 2008.
Mr Munce, after pleading guilty for breaching Hong Kong (HK) Racing Rules 150 and 151(9) was disqualified for a period of thirty months backdated until March 2007.
This means that he is not free of disqualification in Hong Kong until September 1, 2009.
Mr Bentley said Mr Munce was advised of his rights of appeal against the decisions of the Hong Kong Racing stewards. “When he did not appeal, he gave away the right to dispute the Hong Kong disqualification,” said Mr Bentley.
“We operate in an era where the future prosperity of the industry largely depends on international competition and global wagering. This requires cooperation with all racing jurisdictions and consistent application of racing rules,” said Mr Bentley.
Under that explicit ruling, Munce’s application for a licence to ride in Queensland would have been denied, which would have further embarrassed Racing NSW, who granted the rider a licence contrary to the generally accepted international practice, where racing authorities around the world abide by disqualifications imposed in other jurisdictions.
NO PLACE FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED
There is the glory side to race-riding ... success, wealth, celebrity status. Then there is the down side, when a horse crashes to the ground and the rider hasn’t even got a split second to offer up a prayer for a safe landing.
The worst looking fall can often see the jockey emerge unscathed. The most innocuous looking incident can leave a jockey paralysed or with severe head injuries. Death is not out of the equation.
A saving grace is that nobody is forced to be in harm’s way. Those who take up the career of a jockey choose to be there, understand the danger and thus they normally show great character in accepting the good with the bad, as is racing’s way.
But when a series of falls come in a rush, as they have since last Wednesday, it provokes a sober reflection of the risks involved.
At Rosehill last Wednesday, four horses fell in two separate incidents sending jockeys, Kathy O’Hara, Peter Robl, Blake Shinn and Jeff Lloyd flying into the arms of the Gods.
On Thursday at Ipswich, apprentice jockey Steve Wright hit the ground hard when Regal Mountain fell just some 200m after the start and then, on Monday, apprentice jockey Laughlan Fyfe suffered a similar fall when his mount Mealtime snapped a leg in the final trial at Hawksbury.
There were different outcomes for the different jockeys, the six falls provided an unwelcome offering from the wide range of injuries that can await a rider involved in a fall.
Kathy O’Hara thankfully emerged from her fall with only a sore left shoulder. O’Hara has subsequently resumed riding. Blake Shinn injured his wrist.
Jeff Lloyd suffered severe concussion, so he was not aware of how fortunate he was at the time.
Trainer David Payne put Lloyd’s position in context as he came back after checking on his fallen rider, “Jeff is badly concussed, he's in another world at the moment,” Payne said.
“I had a look at his skull cap and there is a massive crack down the centre where a horse's hoof must have struck it. The skull cap has saved his life. I'd say he would have been dead without it.”
Lloyd, who is sporting a black eye, cuts to his face and a swollen hand, is hoping to resume riding on Boxing Day.
Peter Robl suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck. He is expected to be out of the saddle for up to eight weeks.
The Patinack retained jockey had several anxious moments on the turf, where he lay fearing the worst.
“I honestly thought I was gone,” Robl said. “When I first hit the deck I couldn't feel my arms or legs. I had pins and needles all the way through my body. It felt like I was lying on the track for hours and hours - it was scary.”
“I thought I was f---ed,” he said. “As you get the sensation back in your arms and your legs you think, ‘Thank f--- for that’,” he said.
Given the possible alternative, a fractured vertebra was a happy ending.
For Steve Wright, the fall at Ipswich on Thursday was a case of lightning striking twice in the same place.
In 2003 Wright suffered a fall at Goondiwindi which left him stricken with severe brain trauma which kept him in hospital under neurological care for many months.
After a long period of convalescence and rehabilitation, Wright was given the green light to return to race-riding. On Thursday, another fall cut him down again.
Wright’s injuries include two fractured vertebra, two fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, black eyes and missing teeth. Wright is currently in the high dependency trauma unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
There is no thought of how long he will be out of action, or whether he will ever return to the track. The only focus is on his recovery.
On top of all these racing incidents, getting the news of Laughlan Fyfe coming to grief in a fall in a trial at Hawksbury on Monday was equally as shocking.
Fyfe was knocked unconscious when his mount fell and rolled over him. He was rushed to Nepean Hospital where doctors have placed him in an induced coma. It has been reported that scans did not reveal any brain injuries. Fyfe’s condition is still listed as ‘serious.’
So the word ‘fall’ can have a whole range of consequences and those consequences can have a dramatic impact the lives of the riders involved(and their families).
In a meeting (on Friday) which was arranged prior to these unfortunate series of incidents, the Australian Racing Board agreed to establish a national scheme by July 2009, which would be set up to help fund personal insurance and compulsory public liability premiums for the country’s 860 jockeys.
The Australian Jockey’s Association has pushed for one percent of prize-money to be directed into the scheme, which is expected to equate to about $3.7 million annually.
For all that though, race-riding remains the domain of a special type of sportsman.
Peter Robl, his movements restricted by a neck brace, perhaps spoke for all of his fallen colleagues when he said, “"I'd do the same thing 100 times. It's all part-and-parcel of racing.
"What do they say? Go hard or go home. You're racing very tight - there's only centimetres in it at times and you're out there to win. It's a very competitive sport and you're going to have casualties along the way."
The track, in the heat of battle, is clearly no place for the faint-hearted.
**Jockey Ben Looker was the latest to add his name to the list of jockeys injured in falls in the last seven days. Looker broke his collar-bone in a fall at Port Macquarie on Monday.
The worst looking fall can often see the jockey emerge unscathed. The most innocuous looking incident can leave a jockey paralysed or with severe head injuries. Death is not out of the equation.
A saving grace is that nobody is forced to be in harm’s way. Those who take up the career of a jockey choose to be there, understand the danger and thus they normally show great character in accepting the good with the bad, as is racing’s way.
But when a series of falls come in a rush, as they have since last Wednesday, it provokes a sober reflection of the risks involved.
At Rosehill last Wednesday, four horses fell in two separate incidents sending jockeys, Kathy O’Hara, Peter Robl, Blake Shinn and Jeff Lloyd flying into the arms of the Gods.
On Thursday at Ipswich, apprentice jockey Steve Wright hit the ground hard when Regal Mountain fell just some 200m after the start and then, on Monday, apprentice jockey Laughlan Fyfe suffered a similar fall when his mount Mealtime snapped a leg in the final trial at Hawksbury.
There were different outcomes for the different jockeys, the six falls provided an unwelcome offering from the wide range of injuries that can await a rider involved in a fall.
Kathy O’Hara thankfully emerged from her fall with only a sore left shoulder. O’Hara has subsequently resumed riding. Blake Shinn injured his wrist.
Jeff Lloyd suffered severe concussion, so he was not aware of how fortunate he was at the time.
Trainer David Payne put Lloyd’s position in context as he came back after checking on his fallen rider, “Jeff is badly concussed, he's in another world at the moment,” Payne said.
“I had a look at his skull cap and there is a massive crack down the centre where a horse's hoof must have struck it. The skull cap has saved his life. I'd say he would have been dead without it.”
Lloyd, who is sporting a black eye, cuts to his face and a swollen hand, is hoping to resume riding on Boxing Day.
Peter Robl suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck. He is expected to be out of the saddle for up to eight weeks.
The Patinack retained jockey had several anxious moments on the turf, where he lay fearing the worst.
“I honestly thought I was gone,” Robl said. “When I first hit the deck I couldn't feel my arms or legs. I had pins and needles all the way through my body. It felt like I was lying on the track for hours and hours - it was scary.”
“I thought I was f---ed,” he said. “As you get the sensation back in your arms and your legs you think, ‘Thank f--- for that’,” he said.
Given the possible alternative, a fractured vertebra was a happy ending.
For Steve Wright, the fall at Ipswich on Thursday was a case of lightning striking twice in the same place.
In 2003 Wright suffered a fall at Goondiwindi which left him stricken with severe brain trauma which kept him in hospital under neurological care for many months.
After a long period of convalescence and rehabilitation, Wright was given the green light to return to race-riding. On Thursday, another fall cut him down again.
Wright’s injuries include two fractured vertebra, two fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, black eyes and missing teeth. Wright is currently in the high dependency trauma unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
There is no thought of how long he will be out of action, or whether he will ever return to the track. The only focus is on his recovery.
On top of all these racing incidents, getting the news of Laughlan Fyfe coming to grief in a fall in a trial at Hawksbury on Monday was equally as shocking.
Fyfe was knocked unconscious when his mount fell and rolled over him. He was rushed to Nepean Hospital where doctors have placed him in an induced coma. It has been reported that scans did not reveal any brain injuries. Fyfe’s condition is still listed as ‘serious.’
So the word ‘fall’ can have a whole range of consequences and those consequences can have a dramatic impact the lives of the riders involved(and their families).
In a meeting (on Friday) which was arranged prior to these unfortunate series of incidents, the Australian Racing Board agreed to establish a national scheme by July 2009, which would be set up to help fund personal insurance and compulsory public liability premiums for the country’s 860 jockeys.
The Australian Jockey’s Association has pushed for one percent of prize-money to be directed into the scheme, which is expected to equate to about $3.7 million annually.
For all that though, race-riding remains the domain of a special type of sportsman.
Peter Robl, his movements restricted by a neck brace, perhaps spoke for all of his fallen colleagues when he said, “"I'd do the same thing 100 times. It's all part-and-parcel of racing.
"What do they say? Go hard or go home. You're racing very tight - there's only centimetres in it at times and you're out there to win. It's a very competitive sport and you're going to have casualties along the way."
The track, in the heat of battle, is clearly no place for the faint-hearted.
**Jockey Ben Looker was the latest to add his name to the list of jockeys injured in falls in the last seven days. Looker broke his collar-bone in a fall at Port Macquarie on Monday.
Monday, December 15, 2008
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, DEC 14)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, December 14.
Race 1:
2yo Maiden Plate - 1000m
1st - Maroon Bells; 2nd - Ponchito; 3rd - Princess Priscilla
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “I trained her mother and I think she is a going to be a nice sort. She didn’t feature in town on her debut in a strong line-up, but she also had no luck there at all. Knowing what she is capable of and looking at this field, yeah, I thought she would be hard to beat.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “She wasn’t that well away and I had to push her out for the first 100m, but then she really got into it. She had her race won a long way out, but she was still green so I had to keep at her in the closing stages to keep her mind on the job.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Maroon Bells): 1.70 out to 1.90.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hopeful Hornet (T. Chambers) was slow to begin. Princess Priscilla jumped away awkwardly. Ponchito (G. Butler) improved up on to the heels of Gandy May (R. McMahon) near the 600m and had to be steadied. Ponchito was held up for clear running from passing the 400m until approaching the 200m.
Race 2:
3yo & Up CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Larry's Boy; 2nd - Citiwyse; 3rd -Canefly
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Tasha Chambers: “I got a very clean start while I think the favourite (Citiwyse) didn’t get away as well. He did track me to the turn and put in an early challenge, which had me worried for a while, but my horse is very, very fit and he strode out strongly when I asked him to go and the other one couldn’t match him.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Larry’s Boy): 2.50 out to 2.70.
Favourite (Citiwyse): 1.60 out to 1.90. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bungalien (J. Bowditch) blundered badly at the start and lost considerable ground, and was then inclined to over-race in the early stages. Citiwyse (G. Geran) had to be steadied away from the heels of Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) near the 700m. Near the 500m, Saint Crusader (D. Gill), which was inclined to lay in, shifted in and struck the heels of Canefly (K. Pope) and blundered. Saint Crusader (D. Gill) raced wide throughout.
Race 3:
Maiden F&M Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Howgoodsthat; 2nd - Legal Perfume; 3rd - Go Rainey
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jon Walk: “She’s shown fair form before. The last run at the coast came at the end of the preparation and it turned out she’d probably had enough. Going into it, it was a QTIS race and worth a shot. She won a jump-out since then and all of the smarties saw it, that’s why I got a $2,00 dividend for my trouble.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Howgoodisthat): 2.40 out to 2.50 in to 2.20.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Brianshillsidelane, which broke through the barriers and galloped for a considerable distance, was declared a late scratching at 1.23 pm. Legal Perfume (J. Piper) was slow to begin. Falvita (J. Taylor) shifted out at the start and bumped Gold Gleam (A. Spinks). Punto Vista (S. Drake) hung in under pressure in the straight. Viking Queen (J. Warrington) raced ungenerously throughout and was inclined to hang out prior to the 800m and continued to do so for the remainder of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of Viking Queen revealed the mare to have a slow recovery rate. Trainer P. Sexton's representative was advised that Viking Queen trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
CG&E Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Castagnola; 2nd - Left Hook; 3rd - Arizona Sunset
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “Mate, I’ve been getting this horse ready to race for so long. He’s been shin-sore three times. He is such a good horse. I’ll take him to town and he’ll win. He’ll go through his grades well, mark my words. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wins a big three-year-old race this season. I mean he’s actually a Magic Millions horse. I’ll be taking him to town now to see if he can earn enough in stakes to get into the race.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Castagnola): 5.50 steady.
Favourite (Flybefree): 2.80 in to 2.60. Finished fourth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Outback Now (S. Scriven) bucked shortly after the start. Trainer J. Hunter was advised that the gelding must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Classic Force (J. Taylor) was held up rounding the home turn. Shortly after entering the straight, Arizona Sunset (M. Radecker) shifted out and crowded Left Hook onto Dane Raider (B. Agland). Flybefree (J. Bowditch) was inclined to shift out under pressure over the concluding stages. Classic Force (J. Taylor) had to be steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of Flybefree (J. Bowditch), which shifted out under pressure leaving the 200m. Dane Raider (B. Agland) laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. Castagnola (R. McMahon) was inclined to lay out in the straight. Kellina’s Shadow (K. Pope) raced wide throughout. Castagnola lost its off-fore plate in running. Top Resource (Michael Palmer) lost its off-hind plate in running.
Race 5:
QTIS 3yo Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Irish Singa; 2nd - Tambo Tiger; 3rd - Pea Eye Cee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “He won his first start over 1000m and I thought we were going to have a very nice horse, but when he came back after a spell he seemed to have lost his dash. His breeding suggested he would go well over more ground so we stepped him up to 1600m to see how he would go. He came through the test very well.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “He would go ... and then go to sleep. He would go again ... and then go to sleep again. Go ... go to sleep, that’s how he went virtually the whole trip until towards the end I said to him, OK, this time you are not going to sleep and I pushed him out to the line. He was always going to win, but gee he makes the jockey work hard.”
Irish Singa stopped the clock in 1.38.40, smashing the ten-year-old class record of Buni Brown by almost two seconds.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Irish Singa): 11 out to 13.
Favourite (Pea Eye Cee): 2.00 out to 2.10 in to 2.00. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Upi Bay (K. Pope) began awkwardly and shifted out and bumped Pea Eye Cee (R. McMahon). Passing the 1400m, Shot Bar (G. Baker), which was over-racing, had to be steadied away from the heels of Pea Eye Cee (R. McMahon). Near the 900m, Tambo Tiger (K. Cunningham) had to be steadied away from the heels of Shot Bar (G. Baker), which shifted in. G. Baker, rider of Shot Bar, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. Upi Bay was inclined to lay out throughout.
Race 6:
Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Blow The Bugle; 2nd - Yuketan; 3rd - Sir Kingsford
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “That’s his best win so far. He got back a bit this time and he had to fight off the interference at the top of the straight and he had to fight mid-straight to assert his authority. He’s won three in a row now. He’s only had four starts for me, and he only just got beaten the other time.
“No the plan wasn’t to get back. I just left it to Shane (Scriven). He is a speed horse and wants to be up there, but when three of them chased for the lead, Shane, being the experienced jockey he is, took him back and settled just off them. He got involved in a bumping match with Yuketan early in the straight, but Shane was not going to let that one out and he was also never going to be intimidated by the incident. He’s been riding far too long for that. Then the horse did what was required in the run to the line. Like I said, I think it was his best win so far.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Blow The Bugle): 2.00 out to 2.50 in to 2.30.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Another Takeover was declared a late scratching at 8.55 am. Trainer D. Kelly will be interviewed regarding this matter. Fiesty Manner (J. Bowditch) and Blow The Bugle (S. Scriven) came together and bumped near the 900m. Rounding the 800m turn when the pace slackened, Sir Kingsford had to be steadied off the heels of Blow The Bugle. On straightening, Yuketan (K. Pope) was held up when attempting to take a narrow run between BlowThe Bugle and Fiesty Manner, which shifted out slightly, and was then obliged to shift to the inside of Fiesty Manner to obtain clear running.
Race 7:
Class 6 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Iluva Queenslander; 2nd - Frisco's In Charge; 3rd - Riseupsinging
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Doughty: “He had to do it hard at both ends. He was caught out wide for all of 800m and I thought go forward and get him across and Jason (Holder) eventually managed to get him into a reasonable position. Then it was a real fight in the straight. He’ll go to another 1600m race later this month. If he gets through that he’ll be heading to the 1800m race on Magic Millions day. That’s the aim and so far he is on target.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “He was caught wide and it was a struggle to get in. Twice in the straight I thought I was beaten. He’s a bit of a grinder, a bit of a one-paced horse and twice when they came up to him I thought they would go past. To his credit, he fought on and got the result. I think his record has a lot to do with how well the trainer (Kelly Doughty) has placed the horse. I think he might have some limitations, but he’ll go to town again and we’ll see how it goes. He’s got the results on the board so he deserves his chance.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Iluva Queenslander): 2.00 in to 1.90.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
One For None (A. Pattillo) was slow to begin. Frisco’s In Charge (J. Taylor) over-raced in the early stages.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of One For None, A. Pattillo stated that the gelding was not suited by the slow pace of the race, and when placed under pressure inside the 500m, the gelding failed to run on. The trainer's representative could offer no excuse for the performance and undertook to report to stewards any abnormality that becomes apparent with the gelding that may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of One For None failed to reveal any significant abnormalities
Race 8:
3yo & Up Mares Class 1 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Linear; 2nd - Rapid Tricia; 3rd - Tamilda
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith added to his already impressive strike rate when Linear (Micheal Hughes) stormed up late to win first-time out for the Eagle Farm based trainer. The winner had to survive a protest by the second place-getter before the result (as past the post) was confirmed.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by M. Palmer, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Rapid Tricia, against Linear (M. Hughes) being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final stages. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the official video, stewards dismissed the objection .
Miss Blackwood (J. Holder) was inclined to race greenly when tiring in the straight, and near the 200m, shifted out despite the efforts of its rider, hampering Hayil And Hearty (D. Gill). Hayil And Hearty then shifted out, making contact with Machi (G. Butler). Most Unique (J. Warrington) was inclined to hang in under pressure in the straight. Nutuzzi (J. Taylor) and Linear (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Miss Blackwood, J. Holder stated the filly weakened badly in the straight and proved very disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of Miss Blackwood revealed the filly to be slightly distressed. Trainer Mr D. Peoples could offer no excuse for the performance, indicating he would report to stewards any abnormality which becomes apparent which may have had a bearing on the performance.
A post-race veterinary examination of Nutuzzi failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that We’ve Got Issues was found to be lame in the off-foreleg. Trainer D. Bell was advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for We’ve Got Issues prior to its next race start.
Race 1:
2yo Maiden Plate - 1000m
1st - Maroon Bells; 2nd - Ponchito; 3rd - Princess Priscilla
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “I trained her mother and I think she is a going to be a nice sort. She didn’t feature in town on her debut in a strong line-up, but she also had no luck there at all. Knowing what she is capable of and looking at this field, yeah, I thought she would be hard to beat.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “She wasn’t that well away and I had to push her out for the first 100m, but then she really got into it. She had her race won a long way out, but she was still green so I had to keep at her in the closing stages to keep her mind on the job.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Maroon Bells): 1.70 out to 1.90.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hopeful Hornet (T. Chambers) was slow to begin. Princess Priscilla jumped away awkwardly. Ponchito (G. Butler) improved up on to the heels of Gandy May (R. McMahon) near the 600m and had to be steadied. Ponchito was held up for clear running from passing the 400m until approaching the 200m.
Race 2:
3yo & Up CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Larry's Boy; 2nd - Citiwyse; 3rd -Canefly
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Tasha Chambers: “I got a very clean start while I think the favourite (Citiwyse) didn’t get away as well. He did track me to the turn and put in an early challenge, which had me worried for a while, but my horse is very, very fit and he strode out strongly when I asked him to go and the other one couldn’t match him.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Larry’s Boy): 2.50 out to 2.70.
Favourite (Citiwyse): 1.60 out to 1.90. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bungalien (J. Bowditch) blundered badly at the start and lost considerable ground, and was then inclined to over-race in the early stages. Citiwyse (G. Geran) had to be steadied away from the heels of Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) near the 700m. Near the 500m, Saint Crusader (D. Gill), which was inclined to lay in, shifted in and struck the heels of Canefly (K. Pope) and blundered. Saint Crusader (D. Gill) raced wide throughout.
Race 3:
Maiden F&M Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Howgoodsthat; 2nd - Legal Perfume; 3rd - Go Rainey
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jon Walk: “She’s shown fair form before. The last run at the coast came at the end of the preparation and it turned out she’d probably had enough. Going into it, it was a QTIS race and worth a shot. She won a jump-out since then and all of the smarties saw it, that’s why I got a $2,00 dividend for my trouble.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Howgoodisthat): 2.40 out to 2.50 in to 2.20.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Brianshillsidelane, which broke through the barriers and galloped for a considerable distance, was declared a late scratching at 1.23 pm. Legal Perfume (J. Piper) was slow to begin. Falvita (J. Taylor) shifted out at the start and bumped Gold Gleam (A. Spinks). Punto Vista (S. Drake) hung in under pressure in the straight. Viking Queen (J. Warrington) raced ungenerously throughout and was inclined to hang out prior to the 800m and continued to do so for the remainder of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of Viking Queen revealed the mare to have a slow recovery rate. Trainer P. Sexton's representative was advised that Viking Queen trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
CG&E Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Castagnola; 2nd - Left Hook; 3rd - Arizona Sunset
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “Mate, I’ve been getting this horse ready to race for so long. He’s been shin-sore three times. He is such a good horse. I’ll take him to town and he’ll win. He’ll go through his grades well, mark my words. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wins a big three-year-old race this season. I mean he’s actually a Magic Millions horse. I’ll be taking him to town now to see if he can earn enough in stakes to get into the race.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Castagnola): 5.50 steady.
Favourite (Flybefree): 2.80 in to 2.60. Finished fourth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Outback Now (S. Scriven) bucked shortly after the start. Trainer J. Hunter was advised that the gelding must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Classic Force (J. Taylor) was held up rounding the home turn. Shortly after entering the straight, Arizona Sunset (M. Radecker) shifted out and crowded Left Hook onto Dane Raider (B. Agland). Flybefree (J. Bowditch) was inclined to shift out under pressure over the concluding stages. Classic Force (J. Taylor) had to be steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of Flybefree (J. Bowditch), which shifted out under pressure leaving the 200m. Dane Raider (B. Agland) laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. Castagnola (R. McMahon) was inclined to lay out in the straight. Kellina’s Shadow (K. Pope) raced wide throughout. Castagnola lost its off-fore plate in running. Top Resource (Michael Palmer) lost its off-hind plate in running.
Race 5:
QTIS 3yo Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Irish Singa; 2nd - Tambo Tiger; 3rd - Pea Eye Cee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “He won his first start over 1000m and I thought we were going to have a very nice horse, but when he came back after a spell he seemed to have lost his dash. His breeding suggested he would go well over more ground so we stepped him up to 1600m to see how he would go. He came through the test very well.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “He would go ... and then go to sleep. He would go again ... and then go to sleep again. Go ... go to sleep, that’s how he went virtually the whole trip until towards the end I said to him, OK, this time you are not going to sleep and I pushed him out to the line. He was always going to win, but gee he makes the jockey work hard.”
Irish Singa stopped the clock in 1.38.40, smashing the ten-year-old class record of Buni Brown by almost two seconds.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Irish Singa): 11 out to 13.
Favourite (Pea Eye Cee): 2.00 out to 2.10 in to 2.00. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Upi Bay (K. Pope) began awkwardly and shifted out and bumped Pea Eye Cee (R. McMahon). Passing the 1400m, Shot Bar (G. Baker), which was over-racing, had to be steadied away from the heels of Pea Eye Cee (R. McMahon). Near the 900m, Tambo Tiger (K. Cunningham) had to be steadied away from the heels of Shot Bar (G. Baker), which shifted in. G. Baker, rider of Shot Bar, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. Upi Bay was inclined to lay out throughout.
Race 6:
Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Blow The Bugle; 2nd - Yuketan; 3rd - Sir Kingsford
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “That’s his best win so far. He got back a bit this time and he had to fight off the interference at the top of the straight and he had to fight mid-straight to assert his authority. He’s won three in a row now. He’s only had four starts for me, and he only just got beaten the other time.
“No the plan wasn’t to get back. I just left it to Shane (Scriven). He is a speed horse and wants to be up there, but when three of them chased for the lead, Shane, being the experienced jockey he is, took him back and settled just off them. He got involved in a bumping match with Yuketan early in the straight, but Shane was not going to let that one out and he was also never going to be intimidated by the incident. He’s been riding far too long for that. Then the horse did what was required in the run to the line. Like I said, I think it was his best win so far.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Blow The Bugle): 2.00 out to 2.50 in to 2.30.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Another Takeover was declared a late scratching at 8.55 am. Trainer D. Kelly will be interviewed regarding this matter. Fiesty Manner (J. Bowditch) and Blow The Bugle (S. Scriven) came together and bumped near the 900m. Rounding the 800m turn when the pace slackened, Sir Kingsford had to be steadied off the heels of Blow The Bugle. On straightening, Yuketan (K. Pope) was held up when attempting to take a narrow run between BlowThe Bugle and Fiesty Manner, which shifted out slightly, and was then obliged to shift to the inside of Fiesty Manner to obtain clear running.
Race 7:
Class 6 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Iluva Queenslander; 2nd - Frisco's In Charge; 3rd - Riseupsinging
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Doughty: “He had to do it hard at both ends. He was caught out wide for all of 800m and I thought go forward and get him across and Jason (Holder) eventually managed to get him into a reasonable position. Then it was a real fight in the straight. He’ll go to another 1600m race later this month. If he gets through that he’ll be heading to the 1800m race on Magic Millions day. That’s the aim and so far he is on target.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “He was caught wide and it was a struggle to get in. Twice in the straight I thought I was beaten. He’s a bit of a grinder, a bit of a one-paced horse and twice when they came up to him I thought they would go past. To his credit, he fought on and got the result. I think his record has a lot to do with how well the trainer (Kelly Doughty) has placed the horse. I think he might have some limitations, but he’ll go to town again and we’ll see how it goes. He’s got the results on the board so he deserves his chance.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Iluva Queenslander): 2.00 in to 1.90.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
One For None (A. Pattillo) was slow to begin. Frisco’s In Charge (J. Taylor) over-raced in the early stages.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of One For None, A. Pattillo stated that the gelding was not suited by the slow pace of the race, and when placed under pressure inside the 500m, the gelding failed to run on. The trainer's representative could offer no excuse for the performance and undertook to report to stewards any abnormality that becomes apparent with the gelding that may have had a bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of One For None failed to reveal any significant abnormalities
Race 8:
3yo & Up Mares Class 1 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Linear; 2nd - Rapid Tricia; 3rd - Tamilda
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith added to his already impressive strike rate when Linear (Micheal Hughes) stormed up late to win first-time out for the Eagle Farm based trainer. The winner had to survive a protest by the second place-getter before the result (as past the post) was confirmed.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by M. Palmer, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Rapid Tricia, against Linear (M. Hughes) being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final stages. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the official video, stewards dismissed the objection .
Miss Blackwood (J. Holder) was inclined to race greenly when tiring in the straight, and near the 200m, shifted out despite the efforts of its rider, hampering Hayil And Hearty (D. Gill). Hayil And Hearty then shifted out, making contact with Machi (G. Butler). Most Unique (J. Warrington) was inclined to hang in under pressure in the straight. Nutuzzi (J. Taylor) and Linear (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Miss Blackwood, J. Holder stated the filly weakened badly in the straight and proved very disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of Miss Blackwood revealed the filly to be slightly distressed. Trainer Mr D. Peoples could offer no excuse for the performance, indicating he would report to stewards any abnormality which becomes apparent which may have had a bearing on the performance.
A post-race veterinary examination of Nutuzzi failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that We’ve Got Issues was found to be lame in the off-foreleg. Trainer D. Bell was advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for We’ve Got Issues prior to its next race start.
EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, DEC 13)
A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, December 13.
Race 1:
No Metro Wins Handicap - 2100m
1st - Beartracker; 2nd - Monashee Princess; 3rd - Rockaria
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “He did a good job third-up over 2100m. I told Eddie (Wilkinson) he would have the tactical speed to get across and sit on the fence. They did just that and ended up sitting seventh on the rail. Eddie actually came back and apologised for getting further back than we’d discussed, but he’d done enough to be able to run with the plan. I told him that all of our main dangers would get back and come home with a rush at the end - and that’s exactly what happened. I knew that if we could get a soft run and then kicked early in the straight we would have a big chance. It’s amazing how well a plan can work out when it doesn’t strike any difficulties. But it seldom works out that easy.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “I went up into the box seat but he wanted to over-race so I took him back about a length to give him a softer run. We got the split in the straight and he kicked on really well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Beartracker): 8.00 steady
Favourite (Zero To Hero): 3.10 out to 3.60 into 3.50. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into jockey B. Pengelly's failure to fulfil his engagement on Grand Corso to a time and date to be fixed. Apprentice Michael Palmer was substituted as the rider of Grand Corso. C. Reith, the rider of Justin Case, broke his whip during the event. Near the 1600m Beartracker had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of Latino (G. Colless). Seen’em Comin’ (S. Galloway) raced wide in the early stages. Olympic Time (K. Forrester) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Grand Corso (Michael Palmer) raced wide throughout. Shortly after straightening My Counsel (J. Bowditch) was held up for clear running when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Rocktaria (Matthew Palmer) and Grand Corso. Near the 350m My Counsel was further hampered when tightened between Rocktaria and Grand Corso, both of which shifted ground slightly. My Counsel, which bled from both nostrils, will incur a mandatory 3-month ban from racing under AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from My Counsel. A post-race veterinary examination of Latin Idol revealed the gelding to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome.
Race 2:
J.F. Meynick Stakes (2yo C&G) - 1000m
1st - Double Heart; 2nd - Fast Lover; 3rd - Phelan Ready
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Helen Page: “He jumped a bit awkwardly so he had to be pushed out early and was pretty much flat out all of the way and he did it strong. Jason (Taylor) has a huge rap on him and he’s bred to go further.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “That’s two Meynink’s I’ve won in a year now. That’s because of the EI story. I won the previous on Acorns. Yeah, this horse is still doing some things wrong so has got a bit to learn still. He has got tons of speed. That’s a big plus, but I think he has enough ability to be able to do it from off the speed as well if he’s asked to ... but while he’s tearing them up this way we’ll probably stick to this racing pattern.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Double Heart): 2.40 out to 3.20
Favourite (Southport): 2.80 out to 3.10. Finished seventh.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Captain Sonador (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 900m Fast Lover (S. Seamer) was momentarily hampered by Devil Rider (A. Pattillo), which shifted out slightly. Phelan Ready (J. Holder) was inclined to lay in for the majority of the straight. Falls Creek (G. Colless) lost its near hind plate in running.
When questioned regarding the performance of Southport, jockey S. Scriven stated that the horse travelled well throughout the event, however when asked for an effort failed to respond to his riding. A post-race veterinary examination of Southport failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3:
C.E. McDougall Stakes (2yo fillies) - 1000m
1st - Paprika; 2nd - Moonlight Hussey; 3rd - Powerful Light
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “I would have thought she was a bit disappointing today. The riding instructions were
basically left up to me. All Liam (Birchley) asked was that I give some cover. She did pick them up quickly
enough in the straight, but I was very disappointed with her antics around the turn and up the straight. She
was wayward. There are things that still need to be ironed out.”
Scriven also reportedly told Racing and Sports, “On that effort she (Paprika) can’t win the Magic Millions.”
Trainer Liam Birchley: “I was very happy with the run. Very pleased. I wanted her ridden back with other
runners as part of her education. You don’t expect everything to go perfectly, but I think she went real good. I don’t really know what Shane (Scriven) is on about. I think Shane sometimes lives in his own world, and I’ve told him that many times. I mean it was a mild ride by Shane’s standards, which says something about how well the horse travelled. Paprika maintained her unbeaten record, she went past some reasonable opposition with ease in the straight, she broke a seventeen year old feature race record and the time she set was also quicker than the colts managed in the Meynick. That doesn’t rate as a disappointing effort to me. She’ll go to the Tommy Smith in two weeks time ... and then on to the Magic Millions.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Paprika): 1.30 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Our Dreaming, which was unable to be loaded, was declared a late scratching at 1.41 p.m. by order of the stewards. Trainer N. Doyle was advised that he must obtain a further barrier certificate before the horse's next start. Trainer S. Mackinnon was advised that a warning was being placed on the barrier manners of Trickett, which was difficult to load. Paprika (S. Scriven) jumped out at the start and made contact with Brujita (R. Goltz). Eau De Dali (J. Bowditch) and Annalisha (J. Taylor) were slow to begin. Princess Kimono (R. McMahon) and Trickett (R. Mason) jumped away awkwardly. Brujita raced wide throughout. Passing the 700m Annalisha commenced to over-race and got its head in the air. Rounding the home turn Paprika, which was inclined to hang out, shifted out making contact with Brujita and forcing that horse wider on the track. Near the 250m Moonlight Hussey (G. Colless) shifted out and inconvenienced Brujita. Annalisha laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of Annalisha (J. Taylor) revealed the filly to be shin sore in both forelegs. Trainer E. Hayes will be advised that he must produce a veterinary certificate for Annalisha before its next start. A post-race veterinary examination of Powerful Light revealed the filly to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome. Paprika shifted its near fore plate in running.
Race 4:
GOLD EDITION PLATE (3yo’s) - 1200m
1st - Youthful Jack; 2nd - Cat D'Antibes; 3rd - Daddys Little Girl
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jack Denham: “He’s a very easy horse to train and he is a top class performer on the track. Everything went off as planned today. He’ll go to the Vo Rogue in two weeks time.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Youthful Jack): 1.40 in to 1.30 out to 1.40.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Silvern (J. Holder) was a little slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Jazz Heart (S. Scriven) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room by Presley (R. McMahon). Calm Before (S. Galloway) and Youthful Jack (R. Thompson) raced wide throughout. Youthful Jack laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
Race 5:
Class 6 Handicap (3yo’s and up) - 1400m
1st - Sun For Sale; 2nd - Primeval Demand; 3rd - Beautiful
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron McCrae: “He’s been knocking at the door. Scottie (Galloway) said he should have won last time. He was just held up for a run which cost him. This run went mostly to plan. He took the step up to 1400m well. I might step him up to 1600m next time.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sun For Sale): 6.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Red Sphere): 3.50 out to 4.00. Finished thirteenth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Red Sphere (G. Colless) jumped away extremely awkwardly, losing considerable ground. In this incident G. Colless became unbalanced. Another Takeover (A. Pattillo) was slow to begin. Shortly after the start Fat Possum (R. Thompson) and Wings Of Seraph (J. Taylor) were placed in restricted room between Thorondo (K. Pope) and Count Henry (A. Spinks). Red Sphere over-raced in the early stages. Thorondo, Rapid Babe (Matthew Palmer) and Lucky Luna (S. Seamer) raced wide throughout. Pelltro (R. Goltz) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight. R. Mason, the rider of Cole Trickle, accidentally dropped her whip near the 300m. A post-race veterinary examination of Red Sphere failed to reveal any abnormalities.
When questioned regarding the performance of Charvicky, jockey E. Wilkinson stated that the mare travelled well, however when placed under pressure shortly after straightening ran on only fairly. He added that given the way the horse travelled he was disappointed with her lack of acceleration. Trainer R. Heathcote advised that Charvicky will be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Charvicky failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 6:
Strawberry Road Handicap (Quality) - 1600m
1st - Strat's Flyer; 2nd - Pepperwood; 3rd - Rags To Riches
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Glen Colless: “The only worry was whether he would get the mile so Allan (Denham) said I mustn’t go too early. So I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... and waited, and then I let him go and he produced a strong, fighting finish.”
Strat’s Flyer gave trainer Allan Denham a double at the meeting.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Strat’s Flyer): 2.70 in to 2.20 out to 2.25.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1300m October Grey (R. Goltz), which was over-racing, shifted in and momentarily tightened Sir Sensible (A. Pattillo). October Grey continued to over-race for some distance. Majorca (E. Wilkinson), October Grey and Sir Sensible raced wide throughout. Secrets Untold (S. Seamer) laid in for the majority of the event. Near the 250m Doug’s Mate (Matthew Palmer) shifted out and bumped October Grey.
A post-race veterinary examination of October Grey revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer M. Brosnan's representative was advised that she must obtain a veterinary clearance prior to the horse's next start.
Race 7:
Fillies & Mares Handicap (Quality) - 1300m
1st - On The Fridge; 2nd - Satsang; 3rd - Dance Girl Dance
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “At the 300m mark John (owner John Fish) said to me, ‘she’s got to be #%$#@ Bernborough to win from there’, and I told him to wait a bit, it’s not over yet. You know how she hits the line hard and I knew she would finish strongly again. You know, some people were saying all these sob stories about her being beaten were wearing a bit thin ... but she’s been running on strongly every time. She hasn’t been going backwards. So she was due and she deserved the win. It would have been a really stiff result if she’d got second again (as in her last two starts). We didn’t know we’d won until the numbers went up, it was that close.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “I got back a fair way, but I tell you I was closer than I thought I would be. From that draw (number 15) I thought I would have to go back to last, so I was happy to steal a few lengths. She responded really well when I called on her. She really hit the line hard.”
On the Fridge gave trainer Robert Heathcote a double at the meeting.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (On The Fridge): 3.80 out to 4.60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m Quizzical Lady (G. Colless) shifted out off the heels of Desdemona (J. Bowditch) and in doing so forced Satsang (Matthew Palmer) wider on the track. Satsang was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Rock Idol (R. Wiggins) and On The Fridge (J. Holder) raced wide for the majority of the event. Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) was held up for clear running from shortly after entering the straight until near the 200m. Seconde (A. Pattillo) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.
Near the 200m Starry Dancer (R. Thompson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Bareena (R. McMahon) which shifted out to obtain clear running. Jockey R. McMahon was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Bareena was held up for clear running inside the final 70m.
When questioned regarding the performance of Quizzical Lady, jockey G. Colless stated that the mare travelled well early, however rounding the first turn she commenced to hang out and continued to lay out until shortly after straightening and when placed under pressure failed to stretch out. Trainer B. Hill stated the mare was resuming today and as shown in her last preparation may take a couple of races to reach her peak fitness. A post-race veterinary examination of Quizzical Lady failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
Two Metro Wins Handicap - 1200m
1st - Mr Aristos; 2nd - Bazzooka; 3rd - Sea Zulu
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bill Trimble: “He’s got a very troublesome foot – the near-fore. It just won’t grow properly and it worries him. I wanted to run him in the big race last week but his foot wasn’t right. This week his foot has been brilliant, so it was all systems go and he put in his best effort.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Aristos): 14.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite (Steptoe): 5.00 in to 3.90. Finished fifth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stood Up (A. Taylor), Steptoe (C. McIver) and Masai Pride (Matthew Palmer) were all hampered on jumping away by The Big Easy (S. Galloway) which, after blundering on jumping away, shifted out abruptly, In this incident Masai Pride and Steptoe had to be checked and Stood Up shifted out making contact with the hind quarters of Myagi (K. Pope). Mr Hornblower (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Steptoe commenced to over-race on the heels of Myagi. Steptoe then continued to over-race until near the 600m. Key Bar Nights (J. Holder), Vocalic (C. Spry) and Lombardy (C. Reith) raced wide throughout. Near the 100m Mr Hornblower improved up on to the heels of Messiaen (R. Goltz) and had to be steadied. Vocalic lost its off- hind plate in running. Mr Aristos (M. Hughes) lost its near hind plate in running.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Zero To Hero, Olympic Time, Jamaican Bolt, Fields Of Plenty, Captain Sonador, Rockaria, Cat D'Antibes, Secrets Untold, Jazz Heart, Black Minx, October Grey, Strat's Flyer, Docoroka, Eau De Dali, Bella Sirena, Youthful Jack, Annalisha, Craiglea Charm, Spot On Target, Montoux, Satsang, Starry Dancer, Quizzical Lady, Desdemona
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 5 and 6, and My Counsel
Race 1:
No Metro Wins Handicap - 2100m
1st - Beartracker; 2nd - Monashee Princess; 3rd - Rockaria
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “He did a good job third-up over 2100m. I told Eddie (Wilkinson) he would have the tactical speed to get across and sit on the fence. They did just that and ended up sitting seventh on the rail. Eddie actually came back and apologised for getting further back than we’d discussed, but he’d done enough to be able to run with the plan. I told him that all of our main dangers would get back and come home with a rush at the end - and that’s exactly what happened. I knew that if we could get a soft run and then kicked early in the straight we would have a big chance. It’s amazing how well a plan can work out when it doesn’t strike any difficulties. But it seldom works out that easy.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “I went up into the box seat but he wanted to over-race so I took him back about a length to give him a softer run. We got the split in the straight and he kicked on really well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Beartracker): 8.00 steady
Favourite (Zero To Hero): 3.10 out to 3.60 into 3.50. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into jockey B. Pengelly's failure to fulfil his engagement on Grand Corso to a time and date to be fixed. Apprentice Michael Palmer was substituted as the rider of Grand Corso. C. Reith, the rider of Justin Case, broke his whip during the event. Near the 1600m Beartracker had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of Latino (G. Colless). Seen’em Comin’ (S. Galloway) raced wide in the early stages. Olympic Time (K. Forrester) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Grand Corso (Michael Palmer) raced wide throughout. Shortly after straightening My Counsel (J. Bowditch) was held up for clear running when disappointed for a run where there was insufficient room between Rocktaria (Matthew Palmer) and Grand Corso. Near the 350m My Counsel was further hampered when tightened between Rocktaria and Grand Corso, both of which shifted ground slightly. My Counsel, which bled from both nostrils, will incur a mandatory 3-month ban from racing under AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from My Counsel. A post-race veterinary examination of Latin Idol revealed the gelding to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome.
Race 2:
J.F. Meynick Stakes (2yo C&G) - 1000m
1st - Double Heart; 2nd - Fast Lover; 3rd - Phelan Ready
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Helen Page: “He jumped a bit awkwardly so he had to be pushed out early and was pretty much flat out all of the way and he did it strong. Jason (Taylor) has a huge rap on him and he’s bred to go further.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “That’s two Meynink’s I’ve won in a year now. That’s because of the EI story. I won the previous on Acorns. Yeah, this horse is still doing some things wrong so has got a bit to learn still. He has got tons of speed. That’s a big plus, but I think he has enough ability to be able to do it from off the speed as well if he’s asked to ... but while he’s tearing them up this way we’ll probably stick to this racing pattern.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Double Heart): 2.40 out to 3.20
Favourite (Southport): 2.80 out to 3.10. Finished seventh.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Captain Sonador (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Double Heart (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 900m Fast Lover (S. Seamer) was momentarily hampered by Devil Rider (A. Pattillo), which shifted out slightly. Phelan Ready (J. Holder) was inclined to lay in for the majority of the straight. Falls Creek (G. Colless) lost its near hind plate in running.
When questioned regarding the performance of Southport, jockey S. Scriven stated that the horse travelled well throughout the event, however when asked for an effort failed to respond to his riding. A post-race veterinary examination of Southport failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3:
C.E. McDougall Stakes (2yo fillies) - 1000m
1st - Paprika; 2nd - Moonlight Hussey; 3rd - Powerful Light
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “I would have thought she was a bit disappointing today. The riding instructions were
basically left up to me. All Liam (Birchley) asked was that I give some cover. She did pick them up quickly
enough in the straight, but I was very disappointed with her antics around the turn and up the straight. She
was wayward. There are things that still need to be ironed out.”
Scriven also reportedly told Racing and Sports, “On that effort she (Paprika) can’t win the Magic Millions.”
Trainer Liam Birchley: “I was very happy with the run. Very pleased. I wanted her ridden back with other
runners as part of her education. You don’t expect everything to go perfectly, but I think she went real good. I don’t really know what Shane (Scriven) is on about. I think Shane sometimes lives in his own world, and I’ve told him that many times. I mean it was a mild ride by Shane’s standards, which says something about how well the horse travelled. Paprika maintained her unbeaten record, she went past some reasonable opposition with ease in the straight, she broke a seventeen year old feature race record and the time she set was also quicker than the colts managed in the Meynick. That doesn’t rate as a disappointing effort to me. She’ll go to the Tommy Smith in two weeks time ... and then on to the Magic Millions.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Paprika): 1.30 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Our Dreaming, which was unable to be loaded, was declared a late scratching at 1.41 p.m. by order of the stewards. Trainer N. Doyle was advised that he must obtain a further barrier certificate before the horse's next start. Trainer S. Mackinnon was advised that a warning was being placed on the barrier manners of Trickett, which was difficult to load. Paprika (S. Scriven) jumped out at the start and made contact with Brujita (R. Goltz). Eau De Dali (J. Bowditch) and Annalisha (J. Taylor) were slow to begin. Princess Kimono (R. McMahon) and Trickett (R. Mason) jumped away awkwardly. Brujita raced wide throughout. Passing the 700m Annalisha commenced to over-race and got its head in the air. Rounding the home turn Paprika, which was inclined to hang out, shifted out making contact with Brujita and forcing that horse wider on the track. Near the 250m Moonlight Hussey (G. Colless) shifted out and inconvenienced Brujita. Annalisha laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of Annalisha (J. Taylor) revealed the filly to be shin sore in both forelegs. Trainer E. Hayes will be advised that he must produce a veterinary certificate for Annalisha before its next start. A post-race veterinary examination of Powerful Light revealed the filly to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome. Paprika shifted its near fore plate in running.
Race 4:
GOLD EDITION PLATE (3yo’s) - 1200m
1st - Youthful Jack; 2nd - Cat D'Antibes; 3rd - Daddys Little Girl
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jack Denham: “He’s a very easy horse to train and he is a top class performer on the track. Everything went off as planned today. He’ll go to the Vo Rogue in two weeks time.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Youthful Jack): 1.40 in to 1.30 out to 1.40.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Silvern (J. Holder) was a little slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Jazz Heart (S. Scriven) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room by Presley (R. McMahon). Calm Before (S. Galloway) and Youthful Jack (R. Thompson) raced wide throughout. Youthful Jack laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
Race 5:
Class 6 Handicap (3yo’s and up) - 1400m
1st - Sun For Sale; 2nd - Primeval Demand; 3rd - Beautiful
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron McCrae: “He’s been knocking at the door. Scottie (Galloway) said he should have won last time. He was just held up for a run which cost him. This run went mostly to plan. He took the step up to 1400m well. I might step him up to 1600m next time.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sun For Sale): 6.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Red Sphere): 3.50 out to 4.00. Finished thirteenth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Red Sphere (G. Colless) jumped away extremely awkwardly, losing considerable ground. In this incident G. Colless became unbalanced. Another Takeover (A. Pattillo) was slow to begin. Shortly after the start Fat Possum (R. Thompson) and Wings Of Seraph (J. Taylor) were placed in restricted room between Thorondo (K. Pope) and Count Henry (A. Spinks). Red Sphere over-raced in the early stages. Thorondo, Rapid Babe (Matthew Palmer) and Lucky Luna (S. Seamer) raced wide throughout. Pelltro (R. Goltz) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight. R. Mason, the rider of Cole Trickle, accidentally dropped her whip near the 300m. A post-race veterinary examination of Red Sphere failed to reveal any abnormalities.
When questioned regarding the performance of Charvicky, jockey E. Wilkinson stated that the mare travelled well, however when placed under pressure shortly after straightening ran on only fairly. He added that given the way the horse travelled he was disappointed with her lack of acceleration. Trainer R. Heathcote advised that Charvicky will be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Charvicky failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 6:
Strawberry Road Handicap (Quality) - 1600m
1st - Strat's Flyer; 2nd - Pepperwood; 3rd - Rags To Riches
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Glen Colless: “The only worry was whether he would get the mile so Allan (Denham) said I mustn’t go too early. So I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... and waited, and then I let him go and he produced a strong, fighting finish.”
Strat’s Flyer gave trainer Allan Denham a double at the meeting.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Strat’s Flyer): 2.70 in to 2.20 out to 2.25.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1300m October Grey (R. Goltz), which was over-racing, shifted in and momentarily tightened Sir Sensible (A. Pattillo). October Grey continued to over-race for some distance. Majorca (E. Wilkinson), October Grey and Sir Sensible raced wide throughout. Secrets Untold (S. Seamer) laid in for the majority of the event. Near the 250m Doug’s Mate (Matthew Palmer) shifted out and bumped October Grey.
A post-race veterinary examination of October Grey revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer M. Brosnan's representative was advised that she must obtain a veterinary clearance prior to the horse's next start.
Race 7:
Fillies & Mares Handicap (Quality) - 1300m
1st - On The Fridge; 2nd - Satsang; 3rd - Dance Girl Dance
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “At the 300m mark John (owner John Fish) said to me, ‘she’s got to be #%$#@ Bernborough to win from there’, and I told him to wait a bit, it’s not over yet. You know how she hits the line hard and I knew she would finish strongly again. You know, some people were saying all these sob stories about her being beaten were wearing a bit thin ... but she’s been running on strongly every time. She hasn’t been going backwards. So she was due and she deserved the win. It would have been a really stiff result if she’d got second again (as in her last two starts). We didn’t know we’d won until the numbers went up, it was that close.”
Jockey Jason Holder: “I got back a fair way, but I tell you I was closer than I thought I would be. From that draw (number 15) I thought I would have to go back to last, so I was happy to steal a few lengths. She responded really well when I called on her. She really hit the line hard.”
On the Fridge gave trainer Robert Heathcote a double at the meeting.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (On The Fridge): 3.80 out to 4.60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 800m Quizzical Lady (G. Colless) shifted out off the heels of Desdemona (J. Bowditch) and in doing so forced Satsang (Matthew Palmer) wider on the track. Satsang was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Rock Idol (R. Wiggins) and On The Fridge (J. Holder) raced wide for the majority of the event. Dance Girl Dance (R. Goltz) was held up for clear running from shortly after entering the straight until near the 200m. Seconde (A. Pattillo) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.
Near the 200m Starry Dancer (R. Thompson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Bareena (R. McMahon) which shifted out to obtain clear running. Jockey R. McMahon was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Bareena was held up for clear running inside the final 70m.
When questioned regarding the performance of Quizzical Lady, jockey G. Colless stated that the mare travelled well early, however rounding the first turn she commenced to hang out and continued to lay out until shortly after straightening and when placed under pressure failed to stretch out. Trainer B. Hill stated the mare was resuming today and as shown in her last preparation may take a couple of races to reach her peak fitness. A post-race veterinary examination of Quizzical Lady failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
Two Metro Wins Handicap - 1200m
1st - Mr Aristos; 2nd - Bazzooka; 3rd - Sea Zulu
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bill Trimble: “He’s got a very troublesome foot – the near-fore. It just won’t grow properly and it worries him. I wanted to run him in the big race last week but his foot wasn’t right. This week his foot has been brilliant, so it was all systems go and he put in his best effort.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Aristos): 14.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite (Steptoe): 5.00 in to 3.90. Finished fifth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stood Up (A. Taylor), Steptoe (C. McIver) and Masai Pride (Matthew Palmer) were all hampered on jumping away by The Big Easy (S. Galloway) which, after blundering on jumping away, shifted out abruptly, In this incident Masai Pride and Steptoe had to be checked and Stood Up shifted out making contact with the hind quarters of Myagi (K. Pope). Mr Hornblower (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Passing the 1100m Steptoe commenced to over-race on the heels of Myagi. Steptoe then continued to over-race until near the 600m. Key Bar Nights (J. Holder), Vocalic (C. Spry) and Lombardy (C. Reith) raced wide throughout. Near the 100m Mr Hornblower improved up on to the heels of Messiaen (R. Goltz) and had to be steadied. Vocalic lost its off- hind plate in running. Mr Aristos (M. Hughes) lost its near hind plate in running.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Zero To Hero, Olympic Time, Jamaican Bolt, Fields Of Plenty, Captain Sonador, Rockaria, Cat D'Antibes, Secrets Untold, Jazz Heart, Black Minx, October Grey, Strat's Flyer, Docoroka, Eau De Dali, Bella Sirena, Youthful Jack, Annalisha, Craiglea Charm, Spot On Target, Montoux, Satsang, Starry Dancer, Quizzical Lady, Desdemona
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 5 and 6, and My Counsel
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