GOLD COAST REVIEW (SAT, JAN 03)

A review of the meeting held at the Gold Coast on Saturday, January 3.

Langfibian’s win in the featured Bat Out Of Hell Handicap sparked a celebration by trainer Barry Radcliff that was a joy to behold. With all due respect to the big players, there is no better advertisement for racing than an underdog coming good and then showing just how enjoyable a win can be. (See Race 7).

Back in Kempsey, where Radcliff is based, the thought of owning a racehorse must suddenly have seemed like a good idea to those celebrating the local success. When Radcliff returns there to, as he says, “have a few noggins with the boys” perhaps a few new owners will be pulled into the game. For those lining up to give the nod to the auctioneer at the Magic Millions sale, Langfibian and Radcliff gave a timely reminder that the underdog also has his day. If you can’t find the means to be a big spender, it doesn’t mean you can’t be a big winner.

Apprentice jockey Robert Agnew’s celebration was more mellow than that of his trainer – but his pleasure was still clear to see. The moment was all the more enjoyable for the rider as it was shared by his partner, mother, young brother and sister, who were all there to witness his success, giving a much needed boost to a family who has gone through some hard times, heath-wise, in recent years.

The Magic Millions Prelude went to the Tony Gollan trained Temple Of Boom. After that race was decided, there was probably both dismay and delight amongst the connection of the fringe runners trying to get into the big race. At first it seemed that Temple Of Boom had knocked horse’s one place down the order of entry and then they all appeared to get a reprieve when Gollan announced Temple Of Boom would not back up next Saturday, as that was never the plan. That decision is obviously subject to change without notice, but Gollan has very definite views on the subject. (See Race 4).

It was a big day’s racing. Next week will be even bigger!


Race 1:

1MW (Special Conditions) Handicap - 1000m.
1st - Momentously; 2nd - Periander; 3rd - Sequablue

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Robert Agnew: “It was all too easy in the end, which was good. There were what ... only seven runners in the race. I looked at the speed maps before-hand and the four horses inside me all had speed, so I just took the sit behind them from the start. Then I just waited and waited and saved the horse for the finish. She responded when I asked her and went on strongly to the line, so the plan worked out real good. Makes the trip (from Port Macquarie) all worthwhile. “

Little did Agnew know at the time, but his day’s efforts were going to reap an even greater reward and become a lot more worthwhile later in the day when he guided a horse called Langfibian to a shock victory in the featured Bat Out Of Hell Handicap.

PRICE FLUTUATIONS:
Winner (Momentously): 3.20 out to 4.40.
Favourite Sequablue: 2.25 out to 2.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 100m Periander (G Colless) shifted in and brushed Sequablue (App. O Turpin). Perianda continued to lay in for the remainder of the event.


Race 2:

Fillies and Mares Class 6 Handicap - 1400m.
1st - Morgalicious; 2nd - Savanna La Mar; 3rd - Gun Belle
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “She’s pretty consistent. She’s only a small little thing and she is a pretty nervous filly. She deserved the win, but I think it’s fair to say the ride won the race. Instead of persevering where he was not getting anywhere Shane (Scriven) knew where he had to go and he got out to the better going.
“Are you alright?”

The question was put to Shane Scriven who was standing bent over, trying to regain his breath after dismounting from the winner.

Jockey Shane Scriven: “At the top of the straight I thought she was going to win. But I got into her and got into her and not enough was happening. I thought it was gone. She was never going to get there. Then, three strides from the line she changes gears and gets up to win – but not before she’s got me totally spent. And she has cut herself to pieces again Barry (Baldwin). Maybe that’s why she doesn’t go so well on the turn.”
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “I’ll have to try and work out something special with the bandaging. Whatever way I try to protect her she still seems to cut herself.”
PRICE FLUTUATIONS:
Winner (Morgalicious): 2.20 to 2,60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Savanna La Mar (S Seamer) over-raced in the early stages. Approaching the 400m Where’smine (D Craven) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room between Gun Belle (App. M Palmer) and Morgalicious which shifted out to obtain clear running. App. A Taylor reported that Annamarie failed to handle today's rain affected track conditions.


Race 3:

3YO Handicap (Quality) - 2200m.
1st - A Little Knowledge; 2nd - Tunes of Gold; 3rd - Bentley Blue

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Reg Rowley: “First-up I gave her two trials and she romped the trials. As we got her over a bit further, she showed that she really wanted to settle and race relaxed. We’ll target the Queensland Oaks. She had to do something today to warrant going there. She’ll go out now. Stay out for at least a month.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (A Little Knowledge): 11.00 steady
Favourite (Tunes Of Gold): 3.00 out to 3.50. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey B Payne (A Little Knowledge) was fined the sum of $100 for failing to comply with the direction of the Starter, Mr S Andrews, behind the barriers. Oigles (S Scriven) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out making contact with Yamarjie (App. M Palmer). Oigles made the 1600m crossing awkwardly. Yamarjie raced wide during the early stages of the event. Levi’s Bid (J Taylor) raced wide for the majority of the event. Near the 600m Oigles improved up on to the heels of Yamarjie and had to be steadied. Oigles then shifted out momentarily placing A Little Knowledge in restricted room to the inside of Tunes Of Gold. Jockey S Seamer was questioned regarding the performance of Gracesynd. He stated that the filly did not handle today's rain affected track. A post-race veterinary examination of Tambo Tiger (D Craven) revealed the gelding to be tied up behind. A further veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from the Thumps. Trainer P Cunningham was advised that he must provide an ECG prior to the gelding's next race start.


Race 4:

Magic Millions 2YO (Prelude 2YO Plate) (Set Weights) - 900m.
1st - Temple of Boom; 2nd - Psychics; 3rd - Floral Scent

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Gollan: “Any horse first-up on a heavy track when you haven’t tried them on it, it’s always so unexpected to win like that. We knew he had loads of ability this horse. He was never ready for the Magic Millions. He trialled very good and we were happy with him at home so we thought this would be nice kind of race to start him off in. We were confident all the way until this morning when the rain came. We were on the phone and the confidence deflated. We thought this was such a good race to see how he was going, but when it was wet we started looking forward to another race at Eagle Farm in a fortnight. We even told Matty (Palmer) that is he was not ravelling too well at the furlong, not to knock him around. But he was travelling plenty good. I’m very happy with the horse. I saw him as a foal. I liked him as a foal. We bought him as a yearling. Chris McAlpine kept a share in him with a new syndicate of mine.
“No , he won’t race next week. We haven’t done much with the horse. We only probably stepped up his work the last month. He was never a precocious type as a two-year-old. We never sort of set him for the Magic Millions. It was just that he trialled real good and this race was there. We thought he’d be a great chance on a good track. And you must remember, this quality of race is far inferior to the race that will be on next week. There’s a 1000m at Eagle Farm in a fortnight. She’s go there now, quite happily with money in the bank.”

In the post race presentation speech, Chris McAlpine spoke about the big day the Eureka Stud would be hoping for at the Magic Millions with Temple Of Boom and Express Air, another Eureka Stud graduate running on the day. That speech was given in the euphoria of victory, but I asked Tony Gollan whether he anticipated pressure being applied by his owners in the coming days to run Temple Of Boom in the Magic Millions now that the horse had qualified to do so.

“Look, I’m sure we’ll have a discussion about it. It’s never been the plan though, so if we did go there it would be as an after-thought. It’s not a bad position to be in to be able to have that sort of discussion and we’ll do that after we see how he pulls up. The only factor that might make us think twice is if it looks like there might be heavy going on the day because we’ve shown we can cope with that, whereas with most of the others it is an unknown factor. But again, we are talking about 1200m in a line-up that is far stronger than we met here. Like I said, if we do go there it will only be as an after-thought – and I have very strong views on after-thoughts. Most times they mess up.”

Apprentice Matthew Palmer: “He just dominated the race. He travelled beautifully through the ground which was a big plus for him. Still did one or two things wrong which is understandable for his first run. Nothing serious though. It was a really good effort.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Temple Of Boom): 14.00 out to 15.00
Favourite (Fast Lover): 3.00 out to 4.00.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Just prior to the start being effected, Sequalo Revenge (C Brown) kicked its near hind plate off. The gelding subsequently raced without its near hind plate. Shadows ‘N’ Stars (G Colless) which was a little slow to begin was further impeded on jumping away between Psychics (T Treichel) and Dorothy (D Craven) which shifted out abruptly after being bumped by Temple Of Boom (App. M Palmer). Sniplaz (S Scriven) was tightened on jumping away between Red Dash (P Hammersley) and Duckin’ Daiseys (N Thomas) which jumped inwards. Floral Scent (S Galloway) jumped out at the start taking Fast Lover (S Seamer) out on to Reduplication (A Pattillo). Redibis (J Taylor) raced wide throughout the event. Near the 350m Sequalo Revenge hung out across the heels of Redibis and had to be steadied. Near the 300m Floral Scent shifted in impeding Sniplaz. Floral Scent again shifted in passing the 200m inconveniencing Sniplaz and Swift Sands (G Baker). Approaching the winning post Duckin’Daiseys shifted in abruptly inconveniencing Richly Blended (J Holder). Reduplication bled from both nostrils during the event. Trainer G Heinrich was advised that the colt would be banned from racing for 3 months. A swab sample was taken. A post-race veterinary examination of Sequalo Revenge failed to reveal any abnormalities. A post-race veterinary examination of Fast Lover failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 5:

Class 6 Plate (Set Weights) - 1800m.
1st - Hunters Moon; 2nd - Our Lukas; 3rd - Pentup Lover

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Stable foreman Matthew Dunn (for the Gerald Ryan stable at Murwillumbah): “He’s never been on a heavy track. We’ve been wanting to get him up to 2000m. The 1800m over the heavy going was almost the equivalent of a 2000m race so we know a bit more now. Reckon he’ll handle the 2000m and he can race on heavy going. So, apart from the win, those are two positives that come out of the race.”

Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “Yeah, he won well. What can a say. It was the same as my previous winner. He just dominated all the way. We’ll have to get Gerald to send up more greys.” (A reference to the success the Murwillumbah based stable is having with greys – this latest winner and Pyramids, who is rejuvenated, having won four out five starts since transferring from Sydney.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hunters Moon): 4.00 out to 4.60.
Favourite (Our Lukas): 3.60 out to 3.70 in to 3.00.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Majorca (C Brown) was a late scratching at 8.05 am due to the downgrade of the track to ‘heavy’. Our Lukas (G Colless) sprawled on jumping away losing considerable ground. Pemtup Lover (P Hammersley) jumped away awkwardly. Dont Call Me Bruce (S Galloway) jumped out at the start and made contact with Grand Corso (J Taylor). Ardmillan (App. A Taylor) over-raced in the early stages of the event. Doug’s Mate (D Craven) raced wide for the majority of the event. Legend Of Goku (B Payne) which was racing wide was further forced wider near the 900m by Dont Call Me Bruce which shifted out.


Race 6:

Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 6 Handicap - 1400m.
1st - Mr Orient; 2nd - Pelltro; 3rd - Swinging To Win

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Balzen: “He’s a good little horse. We thought he might be about six months off. In six months time he would kill this field, but right now I wasn’t sure if he was mature enough here. But we thought a good alley and he’s pretty good in the wet, we’d give it a try. I think he’s probably qualified for the Magic Millions three-year-old with prize-money now, I’m not sure. With over $50 000 he’s gotta be close. Whether he runs or not, I don’t know at this stage.”
I asked, if he pulls up well would he back up next week.
“You’d have to for a $1 million race wouldn’t you, you know. That and the fact that there’s no races for the three-year-olds ... nothing over ... 1350m was the furthest one and that was the towards the end of January. So going into this one we had the choice of giving him a week or five weeks between runs – and we went for the week. He’s the best worker in the joint. I’ve always had a rap on him.
“He’ll probably back up again if he takes the race well and draws a barrier. The connections are thrilled, you know. They paid $30 000 for him so he’s paid for himself already.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Orient): 13.00 out to 15.00.
Favourites (three joint favourites)
Hy Dream: 5.50 out to 6.50 in to 5.00
Simplex: 6.00 in to .00.
Primeval Demand: 4.20 out to 5.00

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Viking Storm was a late scratching at 11.45 am due to the downgrade of the track to ‘heavy’. Onion (App. A Taylor) stood flat footed when the gates released and lost ground. Pelltro (S Seamer) jumped away awkwardly. Invincible Power (G Baker) raced wide for the majority of the event. It was reported that Hy Dream lost its off-fore plate in running.


Race 7:

Bat Out of Hell Handicap (Quality) - 900m.
1st - Langfibian; 2nd - Azzaland; 3rd - Keen Commander

WINNER FEEDBACK:
An exhilarated Trainer Barry Ratcliff: “Everybody said, ‘what would you be taking her up there for against all those good ones’. Well she’s had those two good, hard runs in Sydney carrying 64.5kg and 59kg over 1100m – well she can only go 1000m. OK, she has won over 1100m, but generally she is petering out over the last 50m to 80m over that distance. She would lead for 1000m, but couldn’t hang on the last 100m. So, I’ve been looking to retire the mare, but I’ve also been looking for a nice 900m race for her.
“So this race brought her back to this distance with only 53kg on her back. It’s unbelievable. She’s that tough and she just loves the wet. She just flies through it. I like the guy in the newspaper. You look at the Telegraph and he says ... she’s had enough, or some sort of statement like that.” (I suggested those sort of comments helped with the price). “The price was very, very nice.
“She’s gonna retire later on. She’ll just get too much weight where-ever I take her. But she’s a bit of a champion to me. If you work at the stables with her ... look, if I don’t pick a bit of grass for her in the morning, you will not get a saddle on her. She will not work. She’s just a spoilt kid, but she can gallop – and I reckon she’ll have a nice foal too.”

Apprentice jockey Robert Agnew: “The outside was terrible. It’s a bit of a paddock out there now. Nobody has been on the inside all day and I found myself there, so why not! It’s definitely the biggest win I’ve had.” (I pointed out the win had made one trainer – Barry Radcliff – a very happy man). “He loves it, yeah. He was rapt after a big win at Muswellbrook so I can imagine what he is like now.”

Richie Stephenson, trainer of the runner-up Azzaland: “The track beat him. Everytime he tried to get out he sort of slipped. He only got out the last bit and in another 20m he would have won ... I’d say 10m. But that’s racing. The whole thing is he didn’t handle the track. He still showed what a good horse he is, although we would have preferred the sixty-four to the twenty thousand.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Langfibian): 26 out to 31.
Favourite (Keen Commander): 1.60 out to 1,70.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Langfibian (App. R Agnew) and Alexander Beetle (C Whiteley) came together on jumping away. Azzaland (G Baker) jumped away awkwardly inconveniencing Little Hughie (J Taylor). Bitabiff (S Seamer) was slow to begin. Rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight Azzaland was held up for clear running. Near the 50m Azzaland shifted out inconveniencing Keen Commander (C Brown).

Race 8:

NMW (Special Conditions) - 1200m.
1st - Margy Magic; 2nd - His Boy Elroy; 3rd - Dardan

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alicia Willick: “He’s going so well this horse. He’s just a lovely horse to work with. Christian (Reith) had said to us he’s a better horse ridden from behind. The barrier just beat us last time because we had to ride him just outside the lead. Makes a difference if you can do it the way you chose.”

Jockey Matthew Paget: “They wanted him ridden cold today. He was caught wide going forward in his last start so we wanted to ride him back this time. I just waited and waited as long as I could before making my move. Because I’d saved him so much early he was full of fight in the finish.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Margy Magic): 9.00 out to 11.00
Favourite Rumba Jack): 3.50 in to 2.80 out to 3.10.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R Maund was fined $100 for late notification of G Baker as rider of Rhodamine. Rhodamine (G Baker) and Gold Energy (S Seamer) came together on jumping away. Rumba Jack (App. A Taylor) jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Dardan (T Treichel). Shew Stone (C Whiteley) was buffeted on jumping away between Pertinence (P Hammersley) and Margy Magic (M Paget) both of which shifted ground. Near the 800m Ulladulla (G Colless) improved up on to the heels of Wigndove (App. O Turpin) and had to be steadied. Margy Magic and Rhodamine which were following had to be steadied as a consequence. Dardan raced wide throughout the event. Approaching the 300m Ulladulla was momentarily tightened for room between Brilliant Prince (App. R Agnew) and Margy Magic which shifted back in to obtain clear running. Margy Magic shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages slightly inconveniencing His Boy Elroy (C Brown).

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses Post-Race swabbed
All winners + Periander, Savanna La Mar, Tunes of Gold, Reduplication, Our Lukas, Pelltro, Azzaland, His Boy Elroy
Horses Pre-Race swabbed
Langfibian, Sir Breakfast, Alexander Beetle, Bitabiff, Azzaland, Sheezvalue, Little Hughie, Onion, Keen Commander, Pentup Lover, Casino Bob, Ardmilan, Legend of Goku, A Little Knowledge, Tikit To Glory, Oigles, Tambo Tiger