EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, JAN 24)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, January 24.

It was the day Larry Cassidy came to town. The accomplished jockey has a pedigree synonymous with success and his presence immediately penetrated the psyche of both local race-goers and local riders.

Every horse Cassidy rode received a second glance from most punters. In the end, three of his mounts started as favourite. He won on two of them - Funtantes and Burdekin Blues - and he was touched off in the last stride on Ugly Betty.

As far as his fellow riders are concerned, their comments now include the likes of, ‘I was able to manoeuvre inside Larry” ... “I passed Larry and said see you mate” (see race 3) and, “I was on the back of Larry” (see race 7).

Trainer Robert Heathcote had some illuminating remarks to make about Cassidy’s work ethic (see race 1). Heathcote’s comments go a long way to explaining the fact that Cassidy, on his first day at the office in Brisbane, was the only rider to have a full book of rides (before scratchings).

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls matched Cassidy’s effort of piloting home two winners. Rolls scored with an enterprising front-running ride on the outsider Tenfold (for trainer Mel Eggleston) and he then showed his prowess in a fighting finish when taking out the last race aboard Kneel And Raise (for trainer Tom Dougall).

Burdekin Blues’ effortless victory when winning first-up in runaway fashion was a performance highlight. The Barry Baldwin trained gelding has now won six out of ten starts and he could be heading to Melbourne to flex his muscles down south. The Brian Smith trained Encosta Tszyu is another on a roll and he completed a hat trick of wins (to remain unbeaten this preparation) in a most impressive fashion. Spanish Fling, a lightly raced three-year-old with the high strike-rate, also caught the eye. Trainer Pat Duff believes she has the making of a very good racehorse. The two-year-old Funtantes is also one who added to his reputation by winning for the second time in only three starts.

Satsang took the honours for guts and perseverance. From the position she was in at the halfway up the straight it was easier for Satsang to lose than to win, but, under the determined urgings of apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer, the mare ambushed them all right on the line to take away the spoils.

Ten Toowoomba trainers came to town. Two went home with winners. Kevin Kemp struck with the New Zealand bred Malela, who won in convincing fashion, while Tom Dougall triumphed with Kneel And Raise, who has now saluted in five of his twelve starts. The gelding also has five minor placings to his credit.


Race 1:

2yo Fillies Handicap - 1200m
1st - Funtanes; 2nd - Craiglea Bella; 3rd - Pharonic

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Rob Heathcote: “She’s very good there is no doubting that. But did you notice how, when things didn’t work out ... she missed the start, held wide ... did you see what Cassidy did? He eased her out of the speed battle, balanced her up, waited until the right time ... did you see a couple of times she dipped up the straight ... he never went for her until he had to. That’s a sign of a real professional, top quality rider.
“To me, whilst Larry (Cassidy) hasn’t been here a long while, he’s been here every day riding track-work. A couple for Baldwin ... couple for me ... couple for Birchley ... couple for a couple of other trainers. I’m not used to that in Brisbane. Our riders just don’t generally turn up on a regular basis. You will get jockeys who will argue that we turn up and ride work but we don’t get put on. That’s because they don’t turn up regularly. I’m mean, I’ve got to get my horses worked every-day. I have staff that do that, so when riders turn up they make it a little bit easier on my staff and my stable operation, but Larry – with forty Group 1’s – fit, keen, enthusiastic ... pick of my stable mate, you can have what you like. I like to see hard work rewarded. He will be a success here.”

The filly also did a sterling job.

Heathcote: “Ah, she’s tough. There were four negatives today. Every-time I have a runner in a race I think through things beforehand. She can get beat. What are the things that are going to get her beat? There were four negatives going into the race today. One was the back-up (from last Saturday), the 57kg’s, going 1200m on a slow track and drawn barrier nine. So yes, whoever the jockey was, she had a bit to overcome and she did her job well.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “I just let her come back behind them. When they didn’t go that quick, I thought well, if I come out five deep for a run it doesn’t matter now ...providing I’m going easy and she only does what she has to. No, I was never worried. I got in with a bit of cover and I thought that, where the old crossing was, I’d peel her out after that. I didn’t want to give her an impossible start and I was moving well on the turn. I did nothing on her till the 200m ... she was always going to win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Funtantes): 1.90 in to 1.80.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Teaattheritz (G. Colless) was slow to begin. Near the 900m, Pharonic (J. Bowditch) was placed in restricted room to the inside of Chanfal (M. Palmer) after that horse shifted in and away from Swift Sands (C. Spry). Dorothy raced wide in the early stages. Near the 700m, Funtantes (L. Cassidy) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Street Sign and Kolo, which when racing ungenerously shifted out. Shortly after straightening, Street Sign was buffeted between Funtantes and Kolo, which was endeavouring to shift out to improve. Near the 350m, Funtantes faltered of its own accord. Dorothy was inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Flaxen Belle (S. Scriven) and Street Sign raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Stopstart revealed the filly to be suffering from mild heat stress. Following this race the track rating was upgraded to Dead 5.


Race 2:

Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Tenfold; 2nd - Yass River; 3rd - Red Sphere

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Eggleston: “With 51kg and going to the front today, actually believe it or not, we were very confident coming in. But it’s very often they come off do they? Not at that price. When Heinrich’s scratched that horse of theirs (Askew) we thought ... it’s too good to be true this. That was the speed in the race. I said, that’s it. The 1400m – that’s his go (the gelding stepped up in distance after chasing over 900m at the Gold Coast in his previous start) and if he was allowed to have he’s own way in front it would play into our hands. We put the blinkers back on again here. He didn’t have to have them on, but we didn’t want him to bust himself and it does switch him back on.
“We bought him about eighteen months ago and he had lots of problems with him. Yeah, he just kept going sore. He had real bad feet. So we tipped him out and got him right. Then, to have everything go our way in the race. It was a big result for us.”

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls: “He had a very light weight today and he got it easy by himself out in front. I knew we had a kick on the corner. It was just a question of whether they could pick her up or not – and they couldn’t.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tenfold): 26.00 out to 31.00 in to 26.00.
Equal favourite (Red Sphere): 5.00 out to 5.50 in to 5.00. Finished third.
Equal favourite (Viking Storm): 4.00 out to 5.00.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Three Little Words (J. Bowditch) had to be checked on jumping away when tightened for room between Pride Of Power (S. Galloway) and Tenfold (L. Rolls), which shifted out after jumping away awkwardly. Ready When You Are (J. Taylor) and Viking Storm (S. Seamer) were slow to begin. Three Little Words over-raced in the early stages. Columate (R. McMahon) raced wide until near the 900m. Pelltro (B. Evans) and Gatakers Bay (B. El-Issa) raced wide for the majority of the event. Tenfold lost its near-hind plate in running.
When questioned regarding the improved performance of Tenfold, trainer M. Eggleston stated that, in his opinion, the addition of blinkers and step up in distance of today's event had assisted in the horse's performance. He added that Tenfold had had problems and he experienced difficulties getting the gelding to peak fitness through track-work, however with the number of runs in this campaign, Tenfold had reached peak fitness. A post race veterinary examination of Ready When You Are failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 3:

NMW Handicap - 1815m
1st - Encosta Tszyu; 2nd - King Artist; 3rd - Tipsy Piggy

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Scott Galloway: “Early on he just wasn’t travelling with the pace going that quick, so I just let the two horses outside me cross us. He just travelled beautifully from there on, you know. On straightening up he was in tight room. I was able to manoeuvre and give him a tick inside Larry (Cassidy – the rider on Tipsy Piggy). I passed Larry and said see you mate. It was all over! He’s a happy horse now. When he first came in to the stable he wasn’t quite right. Then they gelded him and everything. Brian’s done a great job with him. He responds straight away when you ask him. He has got gears this horse. We hadn’t even gone through them yet and the race was over. I just gave him a couple just to let him know to keep going, but I never really opened him up.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Encosta Tszyu): 5.50 out to 6.50.
Favourite (Havayarn): 2.70 out to 3.10. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1600m, Shuffle The Cash (K. Forrester) had to be checked when attempting a run to the inside of I’m So Stunning where there was doubtful room. Tipsy Piggy (L. Cassidy) raced wide in the early stages. Near the 700m, Tipsy Piggy improved up on to the heels of Havayarn and had to be steadied. As a result, Tipsy Piggy shifted wider on the track. Shortly after straightening, Havayarn, which was weakening, was hampered between Iluva Queenslander and Encosta Tszyu, which shifted out to improve. Kings Artist (B. El-Issa), which was following, was momentarily inconvenienced. Kings Artist was then held up for a short distance. Shuffle The Cash (K. Forrester) was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight. Golders Road (M. Palmer) raced wide for the majority of the event. Tims Image lost its near-hind plate in running.
A post race veterinary examination of Havayarn revealed the gelding to be sore in the near hind leg. A swab sample was taken from Havayarn. Trainer A. Bailey was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Havayarn prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported that I’m So Stunning was sore in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer B. Baldwin was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for I’m So Stunning prior to its next race start.


Race 4:

3yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Spanish Fling; 2nd - Poor Judge; 3rd - The Crusader

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Pat Duff: “She’s shown great promise right from day one. She won her first start in a race. She had a couple of unfortunate things, but she raced very well in her second and third start. She won her fourth. She probably needed the break ... but she’s come back. I think she’s got the makings of a very good racehorse. When I went to the sales and I saw her, I said, I’m not going home without here. Have a look at her. She’s very impressive. I’ll be looking at some of those nice fillies races during the Winter for her now.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “Pat (Duff) has a bit of an opinion of him. He said it might take fifty yards or so to get into its gear, which she did. But when she found it, she’s got a very high cruising speed. It was just a sit and steer ride.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Spanish Fling): 4.40 steady.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Mr Boogiewoogie (R. Wiggins) was slow to begin. Passing the 600m, Poor Judge (J. Taylor) and Showit (E. Wilkinson) were buffeted between Rhodamine (R. Agnew) and Meet George (L. Rolls), which shifted in for a short distance. Meet George (L. Rolls), Showit (E. Wilkinson) and Pandemonia (C. McIver) raced wide throughout. Trainer R. Heathcote advised that Brilliantes will now be sent for an immediate spell. A post race veterinary examination of Meet George failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Ezi Girl had sustained a laceration to the gum. Following this event the track rating was upgraded to Dead 4.


Race 5:

2MW-Last Year Handicap - 1000m
1st - Burdekin Blues; 2nd - Azzaland; 3rd - Sir Monashee

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “He ran a couple of times on slow tracks and he got good enough results, but I know that on those slow tracks he raced six lengths below his best – and I’ve always said that. He’s a better horse on top of the ground. I don’t know if the Mr. Sheahan (the owner) will let me take him to Melbourne, because they will be smart down there and he’d have to handle the other way of going. Shane Scriven rode him in work here the opposite way. He’s worked three-quarter pace on the course proper - he’s never galloped it - but Shane says he thinks the horse will adapt to it.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy (who completed a double on the day): “Oh look, he’s a machine. He is very easy to ride. He’s got good speed and I’m sure he could relax and race second or third if you want him to. I think when he gets it on top of the ground he will be even better. When I first had a look inside and out (shortly after entering the straight), I thought that can’t be right, I’d better have another look. So I did ... with the same result. He’d just left them that far behind. I’d like to keep the ride, but the way he goes I think even Barry (Baldwin) could ride him.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Burdekin Blues): 1.70 out to 1.75 in to 1.65.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARD REPORT EXTRACT:
Sequallan (R. Agnew), Sectagonal (G. Colless), Barons Court (O. Turpin) and Nessuno (C. McIver) were a little slow to begin. A post race veterinary examination of Sir Breakfast failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 6:

F&M Class 6 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Malela; 2nd - Morgalicious; 3rd - Belles Opinion

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kevin Kemp: “The owner rang me and said have you got room for a horse. I said no. It turned up the next day. I reckoned, I’ve got a horse here but no space for it. So I sacked one of my other horses. She jumped at the barriers and missed it a bit last time (when finishing second at Ipswich) and then made ground late.” That run was over 1350m. This time the distance was 1500m. “She loved the extra ground. She has already won a couple over a mile. I knew going into today it would be a long price, but we really wanted to start. The owners and I were tossing up and I said look it’s a fillies and mares Class 6, the favourites only won three, let’s run. She’s still only had nine starts. She is a mare on the way up.”

Jockey Ric McMahon: “She’s still got a little bit to learn, but I just got the best run ever into it. Everything opened up and she just let down really good. She’s still a bit green like, when I was under pressure and when she hit the front she star-gazed a little bit, but it was a pretty good effort. The more racing she gets the better she will be.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Malela): 21.00 steady.
Favourite (Morgalicious): 3.80 out to 4.20 in to 3.80. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1000m, La Bella Luisa (S. Galloway) improved onto the heels of Malela (R. McMahon) and had to be steadied. Near the 200m, Riseupsinging (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Born To Hunt (J. Bowditch), which shifted in, and Kenshe (R. Wiggins), which shifted out. Both J. Bowditch, rider of Born To Hunt, and R. Wiggins, rider of Kenshe, were reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in future. Kenshe continued to shift out and near the 100m bumped Born To Hunt (J. Bowditch). Seconde (O. Turpin), Hussonova (S. Seamer) and Tellemtogo (B. El-Issa) raced wide throughout. La Bella Luisa lost its near hind plate in running.


Race 7:

F&M Quality, Listed Handicap - 1200m
1st - Satsang; 2nd - Ugly Betty; 3rd - Michelle Cafea

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Helen Page: “She’s probably crying out for 1400m, but what a gallant run. She was back near the tail of the field, off the bit chasing ... but this boy has ridden her a treat. I didn’t think she was going to get the luck, you know, but all the praise to him and I’m just so proud of the mare. She never gives up trying. She’s had bad barriers, but the first day we had a good barrier she won a Listed race. I was watching in the trainers’ room. I thought we’d run second but Pat Duff was with me and he said, ‘you’ve got it.’
“This time in I told the owners I’d decided I wanted to stick with one jockey and I’m very impressed with this little guy. I wanted one jockey because previously there wasn’t a regular jockey so nobody got to know her. He’s ridden her a treat today and he knows her now so it’s turned out well.
“The result is good for the owners for breeding, you know, being a Listed race. Thanks to Queensland Racing for having these Listed fillies and mares races. It’s wonderful for our owners. We are lucky to have them. You see the Sydney people came for the race. It gives us good racing.”

Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “I was in trouble for a long way. I had to really scrub her along early. At the 500m I had to put a couple on her, just because she was in-between horses and she doesn’t race in-between horses. You got to realise, she is a very difficult horse. Basically, once Ugly Betty started to get a run through and I was on the back of Larry (Cassidy – Ugly Betty’s rider), Larry kept being carted wider and wider, but I sort of had no option but to go out with him. Had I gone back inside it would have been completely over. So I thought, well, I might look like a fool, but I’ll keep going on the outside. I know the horse inside-out and back to front and that’s her pattern of racing. I just put my head down and kept going to the line – and we got there, which was good. I’m just grateful to John and Helen and all of the connections for allowing me to keep the association with the horse. I’m not just saying this because I brought it back, but she is a very, very hard horse to ride and I am grateful they kept me on.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Satsang): 7.00 steady.
Favourite (Ugly Betty): 3.70 in to 3.20. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After jumping away awkwardly, Momentously raced ungenerously in the early stages and near the 800m had to be steadied when tightened for room between Allaboutus and Satsang (M. Palmer) which shifted out. Between the 700m and 600m, Tsutsumi (S. Galloway) were obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Moppett (J. Bowditch), which was taken in slightly by Michelle Cafea (A. Spinks). Rounding the home turn, Ugly Betty (L. Cassidy) shifted out, forcing Quizzical Lady (S. Scriven) wider on the track. Momentously hung out rounding the home turn and for the majority of the straight, and near the 300m had to be steadied off the heels of Where’smine (K. Cunningham). Momentously continued to lay out for the remainder of the race. Near the 200m, Michelle Cafea shifted out and brushed Ugly Betty (L. Cassidy). Where’smine (K. Cunningham) and Allaboutus (J. Taylor) raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned co-trainer Mr Jason McLachlan regarding the tactics adopted on Key Bar Nights today as opposed to its last three starts. Mr McLachlan stated that at the horse's last three starts it had drawn wide and they believed it was in the best interests of the mare to ride it quieter. He further added that blinkers were placed on the horse for the first time today, and with the benefit of the inside alley, decided to ride Key Bar Nights forward, which has been the most successful manner in which to ride the mare. Stewards noted Mr McLachlan's comments, however he was admonished for failing to inform stewards of their intention to ride the horse differently today.
A post race veterinary examination of Allaboutus failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 8:

NMW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Kneel And Raise; 2nd - Sir Teles; 3rd - Queen Of Asia

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tom Dougall: “He is a very hard-trying, honest horse. I was as confident as you could be going into the race. Beautifully ridden. I would actually like to try him over a bit further. He may settle a bit better in a slow tempo race ... hopefully ... but that remains to be seen. He’s just a lovely horse with a beautiful temperament.”

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls (who completed a double on the day): “He just travelled nicely about three lengths off the leader. So I just took my time. He responded the minute I pushed the button and he let down well and really hit the line good.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Kneel And Raise): 2.80 out to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shady Prospect (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly. Eagle Heights (A. Spinks) blundered on jumping away and a short distance later faltered. Near the 900m, Kneel And Raise (L. Rolls) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Aladdins Lion (R. McMahon), which shifted in. R. McMahon, rider of Aladdins Lion, was reprimanded. Audubon (R. Wiggins) over-raced in the early and middle stages. L. Cassidy, rider of Shady Prospect reported that his saddle shifted back on entering the straight and, in his opinion, resulted in Shady prospect failing to stretch out down the home straight. Shortly after entering the straight, Eagle Heights was retired from the event. A post race veterinary examination of Eagle Heights failed to reveal any abnormalities other than the horse had lost its near fore plate in running. Trainer J. Ryan's representative Mr K. Schweida, was advised that he must obtain a veterinary clearance for Eagle Heights prior to its next race start. M. Hughes, rider of Wigndove, dropped his whip passing the 100m.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed
All winners, Havayarn