IPSWICH REVIEW (WED, DEC 31)

A review of the meeting held at Ipswich on Wednesday, December 31.

Race 1:

Maiden Plate - 2200m
1st - Ella Cinders; 2nd - Tyrconnell; 3rd Cinquacasino

WINNER FEEDBACK:
With no speed in the race, jockey Ric McMahon decided to track around his field from the 800m and take Ella Cinders up to contest the lead with Perfect Glass in the sweep to the turn. Tyrconnell followed Ella Cinders into the race and, when Perfect Glass cried enough at the 250m mark, Ella Cinders and Tyrconnell joined issue in a two-way battle for the honours. At the 200m Tyrconnell looked set to take the measure of the Bryan Guy trained runner, but Ella Cinders showed great resolve in sticking to her task to lunge again late to secure her breakthrough victory.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Ella Cinders): 2.50 out to 2.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tyrconnell (Michael Palmer) began awkwardly. Brilliant Ween (M. Speers) was inclined to over-race in the early and middle stages, and near the 1600m, shifted out, forcing Mondo Rocks (J. Murphy) wider on the track. Mondo Rocks was then obliged to race wide until leaving the 1300m. Leaving the 700m, Ella Cinders (R. McMahon) shifted out to improve and in so doing forced Ribless (C. Eaton) wider on the track. Near the 600m, Cinquacasino (D. Griffin) shifted out and bumped Straight Shooting (D. Tanti). Leaving the 400m, Kindroon (J. Letherby) and Mondo Rocks were tightened for room when racing to the inside of Brilliant Ween (M. Speers), which shifted in. Near the 200m, Brilliant Ween was crowded for room when racing between Perfect Glass (G. Geran) and Cinquacasino, both of which shifted ground. Ribless raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 2:

Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Tomiruf; 2nd - Moon Boy; 3rd - Island Tycoon

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Desley Cowley trained Tomiruf scored with a sweeping run down the centre of the track. Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls placed the gelding midfield along the inside early on, but the chestnut was repeatedly cramped for running room and had to be eased back into the second half of the field as the runners quickened up approaching the home turn. Thus it was that when Rolls switched his mount out into the clear at the head of the straight, Tomiruf was some way out of his ground, but he displayed more-than-useful acceleration to race into contention and then cut down the game, front-running effort of Moon Boy in the final strides to claim his first victory in ten starts.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tomiruf): 13.00 out to 17.00.
Favourite (Island Tycoon): 2.20 out to 2.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1100m, Moon Boy (B. Evans) shifted out, forcing Thunderbeast (B. El-Issa) wider, which resulted in Thunderbeast shifting out, making heavy contact with Lord Benson (R. Goltz). Leaving the 800m, Thunderbeast improved up on to the heels of Moon Boy (B. Evans) and had to be steadied. Near the 700m, Tomiruf (L. Rolls) had to be steadied after improving up on to the heels of Preclude (D. Barron), which was yielding ground. Preclude (D. Barron) was inclined to hang out throughout the middle stages of the event. Leaving the 100m, Prince Hulani (D. Griffin) had to be steadied off the heels of Mr Gormsby (J. Bowditch), which shifted in. Prince Hulani (D. Griffin) was caught wide for the majority of the event. B. El-Issa, rider of Thunderbeast, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the finish.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Lord Benson, R. Goltz explained that the horse had to work in the early stages and was under pressure at the 600m. A post race veterinary examination of Lord Benson revealed the horse was in a slightly distressed condition. Trainer M. Palmer confirmed his disappointment with the horse's performance and advised that it was his intention to give the horse an ease up during the upcoming hot weather conditions. Following this event, the track rating was upgraded to Good 3.


Race 3:

CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Bennike; 2nd - Mossbemad; 3rd - Al Hussar

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The outcome of this race was decided in the Stewards Room after a protest was lodged against Mossbebad (who was first past the post) by jockey Paul Hammersley, the rider of the second placed Bennike. These two runners became involved in a speed battle from the start. They raced tight together and made contact several times on their way to the line, where Mossbebad prevailed by a narrow margin.

Jockey Paul Hammersley (stating the grounds for his objection): “Coming into the straight, Mossbebad made contact with my horse, I’d say, three or four times. On two of those occasions there was quite heavy contact. My horse was pushed off balance and lost a lot of momentum and couldn’t go past then. I mean he has come out and taken me two horses off the fence and the interference has turned my horse in. I then try to balance up and finish off to the best of my ability, but he shifted out again and made further contact just before the furlong mark, and there was also boring in the closing stages. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have won the race if I’d had a fair run.”

Apprentice Justin Wood (who rode Mossbemad): “My horse was resuming in Queensland (after racing in Victoria). Not being used to racing this way around, he did want to hang out on the turn, but I had a hard hold on him. How could I have turned his horse in when I was in front of him? The incident cost my horse. I could not get to use my whip properly, so I was not able to get at my horse. I think the coming together cost my horse more momentum than Hammersley’s horse.”

Jockey Paul Hammersley: “My horse only reacted after heavy contact was made.”

Desleigh Forster, trainer of Mossbemad, addressing Hammersley: “You say he took you two horses off the fence … but he was always running away from the fence. He was always one-and-a-half to two horses off the fence throughout the running. Also, you haven’t stopped riding your horse the whole length of the straight.”

James Glare, trainer of Bennike: “All I can say is that it is all about the margin. If he’d won by even half a length we wouldn’t be sitting here. The margin was so close though. The interference surely cost him at least that much.”

The protest was upheld. The first two placings past the post were reversed.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by P. Hammersley, rider of Bennike, against Mossbemad being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 250m. Stewards found that at a point near the 250m, Mossbemad shifted out, making heavy contact with Bennike, resulting in that horse's momentum being impeded. Whilst acknowledging that both Bennike and Mossbemad came together and bumped on a number of occasions over the final 250 which was contributed to by both horses, stewards were of the opinion that the incident near the 250m, together with the margin between both horses at the finish, warranted a reversal of placings and amended the Judge's placings accordingly.
Dr Kah (J. Taylor) was slow to begin. Roamin’ Off (D. Tanti) was crowded shortly after the start between Mossbemad and Spring Mambo (B. El-Issa), which shifted out. Al Hussar (K. Purdy) raced ungenerously in the early stages. Mossbemad (J. Wood) was inclined to lay out for the majority of the event. Spring Mambo lost its near hind plate in running.


Race 4:

QTIS 3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1100m
1st - Crackajack Fortune; 2nd - Comotose; 3rd - Ceequal Star

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bob Sutton: “He’s been up for some time now which is probably why he took a while to go past the leader. But I was very confident going into the race. Last time in town he drew badly and was slow away, so that took care of his race there. Apart from that he has been very consistent and I was confident he would go well today.”

Jockey Donald Barron: “The first time I rode him (four runs back on debut) he was still a bit spooky. He’d look around then suddenly want to duck out or go his own way ... that type of thing. He’s still learning obviously. He was much more professional this time. When he’s got cover, he’s sweet. He won well. There was a brief moment when he went up to the other one (Comatose) and the other one fought back, but that was only for a stride or two and then it was over. He was too strong.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Crackerjack Fortune): 2.20 out to 2.30.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Try’N’Save (L. Dittman) was slow to begin. Maali (M. Heagney) was tightened for room shortly after the start between Comatose (J. Bowditch) and Crackerjack Fortune (D. Barron), which shifted out. Miss Mazaratti (J. Murphy), which was a little slow to begin, was tightened shortly after between Love And Happiness (C. Spry) and Flamboyance (M. Bennett), which was taken out by Wedding Night (Michael Palmer). Try’N’Save (L. Dittman) was tightened shortly after the start when racing between Go Girly (S. Drake) and Ceequal Star (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. Near the 950m, Pink Sapphire (J. Taylor) was tightened for room when racing to the inside of Crackajack Fortune, which was taken in by Comotose. J. Bowditch, rider of Comotose, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Wedding Night was inclined to race ungenerously in the middle stages of the event. Go Girly (S. Drake) became unbalanced rounding the home turn and then had a tendency to shift out under pressure in the home straight. Stewards opened an inquiry into the handling of Flamboyance (M. Bennett), particularly over the final 450m. It was noted that Flamboyance was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and until approaching the 200m. After taking evidence from M. Bennett and trainer N. Doyle, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Love And Happiness lost its off-hind plate in running.


Race 5:

Class 1 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Tamilda; 2nd - Gazillion; 3rd - La Zaha

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “The plan was to lead and dictate. You put an apprentice on with a 2kg advantage and if they can lead, that is the ideal situation. An apprentice can get caught out due to inexperience if they get back with other runners and have to think what to do. In front they can concentrate on keeping the horse going and if it’s good enough it will get there. Worked out to plan today.”

Apprentice jockey Tasha Chambers: “She raced a couple of weeks ago at Coloundra. We were going well and I thought I was home, but she stopped real quick and got beaten. Afterwards we found he had his tongue caught over the bit. The trainer fitted a tongue-tie for the first time today and it did the trick. She kept on finding this time.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tamilda): 3.80 out to 4.20.
Favourite (La Zaha): 2.70 out to 3.10. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
New York Serenade (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin. Runaway Fund (L. Dittman) began awkwardly. Near the 900m, La Zaha (A. Pattillo) had to be steadied off the heels of Feathery (R. McMahon), which shifted in. Passing the 700m, New York Serenade made contact with the running rail after being tightened for room by Taj Paru (B. El-Issa). Approaching the 400m, New York Serenade was checked when racing to the inside of Taj Paru (B. El-Issa). After taking evidence from the riders concerned, stewards afforded B. El-Issa, rider of Taj Paru, the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was careless at that point of the race in allowing his mount to shift in. In deciding the matter, stewards were of the opinion that Howgoodsthat (S. Scriven) shifted in slightly at that point and may have contributed to the incident. Fraarcas (N. Evans) and Hay Annie (R. Goltz) raced wide throughout.


Race 6:

QTIS 3yo Handicap - 800m
1st - Inprivato; 2nd - Hayil Augustus; 3rd - Love Hit Me

Trainer Ron Maund: “She’s had her problems. She had a knee chip removed after her win in only her second start in January. That was after the problems with EI. Now she’s won second up here again. I told the jockey not to underestimate her. I pointed out that she had only run once before at Ipswich and she beat their brains in then. She’s a Spinning World filly, which means she should be better in the wet … so to finish like she did here was really good.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Inprivato): 7.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Prince Vallen): 1.90 out to 2.10. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The starting time of this race was delayed as a result of Love Hit Me being difficult to load and a veterinary examination of Come In Spinner after that horse reared up in the barriers. Come In Spinner was cleared to start. Come In Spinner (S. Drake), Tora San (M. Bennett) Golden Flute (D. Mo) were all slow to begin. Leaving the 500m, Newminster (A. Spinks) had to be steadied off the heels of Prince Vallen (A. Taylor), which shifted in. Love Hit Me (R. Mason) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Prince Vallen (A. Taylor) found the horse to have suffered minor abrasions to its near hind leg.


Race 7:

Class 2 Handicap - 1700m
1st - Eton Hall; 2nd - Radio Star; 3rd – Shaos

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Dann: “Mate, all he needed to was a good track. He’s last two runs were on wet tracks and he struggles on soft going. He’s much better on the track he got today.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Eton Hall): 4.20 out to 5.00.
Favourite (Shaos): 1.60 out to 2.00. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Gentle Mind (D. Green) and Veedub (A. Merritt) both over-raced in the early stages of the event. Shaos (J. Bowditch) raced wide over the final 800m of the event. Near the 450m, Shaddar (J. Letherby) was tightened for room when racing between Gentle Mind and Veedub. D. Green, rider of Gentle Mind, and A. Merritt, rider of Veedub, were both reprimanded for allowing their mounts to shift ground at that point. Jockey C. Spry, rider of Crocodile Lass, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 300m he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Gentle Mind, which was forced wider, causing Vee Dub (A. Merritt) to be checked. C. Spry's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 3 January, up to and including Sunday, 18 January 2009. Radio Star (G. Geran) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Stewards questioned apprentice B. Evans and trainer J. Dann regarding the tactic to lead on Eaton Hall today and its improved performance. Trainer J. Dann stated that his instructions were to obtain a midfield position. B. Evans confirmed these were the intended tactics, however after being caught wide and due to the moderate tempo of the race in the early stages, he elected to proceed forward, which resulted in the horse obtaining a position in the lead. In regard to the improved performance of the horse today compared to its previous starts, J. Dann advised that the horse's two previous starts had been on by rain affected tracks, which he believed had a bearing on the horse's previous two performances and that and that the horse was better suited on top of the ground. He further advised that it would be his intention wherever possible to race Eaton Hall in a midfield position. Stewards noted the explanations.


Race 8:

Class 5 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Sir Teles; 2nd - Spilt Milk; 3rd - Brer Fox

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Gentle: “We only here because he needed another provincial run to get into the Magic Millions Country Cup. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here. This win will cost us a Class 6 win in the city. We would have got $30 000 instead of the $6500 we got here, but I guess that’s the way it works. We needed the provincial run to go to Magic Millions day. I thought we would have got 58kg here. Two runs back we finished right up there behind Albert Cadabra – and he won at Doomben on Saturday.”

PRICE FLUCTUATION:
Winner (Sir Teles): 9.00 out to 10.00 in to 4.80. Somebody had a Happy New Year.
Favourite (Straight Shooting): 2.20 out to 2.50. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Correct weight was delayed due to S. Scriven, rider of Blow The Bugle, wishing to view the film of the start of this race to see if he was afforded a fair start. After viewing the film, S. Scriven did not wish to proceed further and correct weight was declared. The start of this race was delayed as a result of Sir Teles requiring farrier attention prior to the start. Spilt Milk (L. Dittman) was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, Frigate (S. Drake) shifted out abruptly, making heavy contact with Sir Woody (S. Galloway). Spilt Milk and Manic Monday (B. Evans) were both held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Sir Woody and Androuge (A. Spinks) raced wide for the majority of the event. Sir Woody lost its off-hind plate in running. A post race veterinary examination of Androuge revealed the gelding to be lame in the off-fore knee. Stable representative for trainer L. Madden was advised that a veterinary certificate of soundness would be required prior to its next race start.