SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, JAN 11)

A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, January 11.

Race 1:

3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1600m
1st - Amaizemea; 2nd - Craiglea Ruby; 3rd - Dane Raider

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Gafa: “Mate, I had no doubt I would win this race. He is a full brother to Amaizcay. No one’s mentioned that yet. I owned and bred Amaizcay as well. He won me $200 000 ... he won the Guineas here over a mile.
“The only reason I took the blinkers off (referring to the gear change) was I trialled him here on Tuesday. I took the blinkers off for the trial. He jumped out, went to second possie, straightened up and won by ten. When he went to the front, he started looking around, he give him one slap of the whip and he went straight as a dye and just blew them away. Now, in his trials he always goes to the front. Amaizcay did the same thing. So I though, bugger it. I’ll see if I can take the blinkers off to actually maybe have him a bit closer in races, because he gets back in his races, but that’s the way he runs (off the speed) ... and that jockey (Andrew Spinks) knows how he runs. Amaizcay was the same mate.

Amaizemea’s breakthrough win came in his ninth start. I asked his trainer if the horse had taken a while to get going.

Gafa: “I cut him two starts back. His last three starts, this one and the previous two runs, he had his nuts in before then. What he was doing is coming out and wanting to savage horses all of the time so I had to cut him. I didn’t really want to. I would have preferred to keep him as a colt because of his breeding, but I had to cut him.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Amaizemea): 6.00 in to 5.50.
Favourite (Dane Raider): 4.00 out to 4.20. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards intend to interview jockey C. Whiteley regarding him being declared as the rider of Gangbusters and Let’s Deal. Jockey J. Cook was substituted as the rider of both horses. Craiglea Ruby (K. Cunningham) jumped away awkwardly, losing ground. Gangbusters (J. Cook) was slow to begin. Craiglea Ruby and Dane Raider (K. Wharton) raced wide from the 600m onwards. Sir Reason (I. Coombes) and Mercent (K. Pope) were both momentarily held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Sir Reason again had difficulty obtaining clear running during the early stages of the straight. Dane Raider shifted in under pressure in the straight. Hotel California (C. Isdale) and Pay Us (J. Bowditch) raced wide throughout.


Race 2:

Class 3 Plate - 1600m
1st - Tanzill; 2nd - Hell Week; 3rd - Sailor Salute

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Lakey: “You can read too much into the way he parades. That’s just his trait now. He was probably the best he’s been today, but you can’t worry about it as long as he’s putting in the effort. Alan Jones told me he’s trained horses who have sweated up worse than him. He said if that is what they are like, all you can do is get them to the races ... just take them to the races.”

Tanzill has now won two out of his six starts. He also has two runner-up finishes to his credit.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tanzill): 3.00 out to 3.30.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Chicago Boy (M. Hellyer) shifted out at the start, hampering Sailor Salute (C. McIver), which lost ground. Hell Week (N. Evans) shifted in at the start, making contact with Frisco Darling (J. Brown). The saddle on Akoya slipped during the early stages of the race, placing its rider at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. Near the 500m, Frisco Darling improved on to the heels of Hell Week and had to be steadied and shifted out. As a result, Sailor Salute and Chicago Boy were both hampered and forced wider on the track. Hell Week was held up for clear running from rounding the home turn until approaching the 200m. N. Thomas, rider of Akoya, accidentally dropped his near-side rein approaching the 50m. A post-race veterinary examination of Chicago Boy, which tailed off, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 3:

3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dual Code; 2nd - Hello Christmas; 3rd – Fireman

WINNER FEEDBACK:
In spite of being held up for a run in the straight, jockey Kelly Purdy made no mistake on the Trevor Bailey trained Dual Code, bringing the well supported favourite, who is a son of Thorn Park, home by a comfortable 1.80 margin.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Dual Code): 2.50 out to 2.80 in to 2.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Due to a clerical error, Dual Code was shown in the race book as a 2-year-old when in fact the colt is a 3-year-old. Brigadoon Champ (D. Griffin), which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly after the start when tightened for room between Our Girl Bobby (J. Wood) and Dual Code (K. Purdy), which shifted in. Hello Christmas (S. Bogenhuber) and Top Resource (G. Baker) jumped away awkwardly. Top resource (G. Baker), which was momentarily held up near the 500m, shifted out to obtain clear running and made heavy contact with Our Girl Bobby (J. Wood). Dual Code (K. Purdy) had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 350m and 200m. Maningrey (J. Taylor), Dad’s Boy Blue (J. Piper) and Mark One (O. Turpin) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Mon Trist revealed the mare had sustained superficial abrasions to the near hind leg.


Race 4:

QTIS 3yo Handicap - 1300m,
1st - Attallus; 2nd - Lilleelavee; 3rd - Miss Monashee

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Shaun Dwyer: “As a young horse he wanted to work with his mouth open and do a little too much. So I worked him in a cross-over (nose band) for a while and then I gave him a couple of runs just to get him going. He did everything reasonably well last start so I thought the cross-over was not really necessary now, and so I took it off.
“Here he was a Maiden in an Open Class 3 race. The field was probably not full of class, but he lacks a lot of experience compared with the horses he was running against, so he’s won on ability. He’s out of a Captain Piper mare so I think he’ll race over 1600m easy and probably over 2000m.”

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “He’s a real professional horse which makes him a nice horse to ride. He is still learning a bit though. He doesn’t really know how to let down and everything he is doing he is doing on raw ability. I think in time he will make a lovely stayer.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Attallus): 7.00 in to 6.00 out to 7.00.
Favourite (Miss Monashee): 2.60 in to 2.30 out to 2.40. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lilleelavee proved difficult to load, causing a delay to the starting time for this race, and then was slow to begin. Trainer Mr F. Adams was advised that he would be required to provide a barrier certificate for Lilleelavee prior to its next race start. Lilleelavee (R. McMahon) and Logans Hero (S. Apthorpe) was slow to begin. Upi Bay (J. Piper) was momentarily held up for clear running rounding the home turn and again near the 100m. Elshamah (K. Wharton) lost its off-fore plate in running.


Race 5:

Class 2 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Aquaterra; 2nd - Larry's Boy; 3rd - Week Nights

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jason Taylor rode the Bryan Guy trained Aquaterra with patience and good judgement to takes the honours. It was an improved performance from the lightly raced gelding, who was having his second run this preparation.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Aquaterra): 4.40 out to 4.60.
Favourite (Larry’s Boy): 2.70 out to 3.00 in to 2.80. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
App. J. Piper pleaded guilty to a charge under AR92(12) of failing to claim her full allowance on Weeks Nights On. Apprentice Piper was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 3 weeks, to commence at midnight, 1 February - the expiration of a suspension incurred at Nanango on 10 January under AR92(12) - and to expire at midnight, 22 February 2008. Trainer T. Bailey's representative, stablehand Mr L. Rolls, was fined $50 for presenting Larry’s Boy late to the enclosure. AR124 Iza Comin’ (J. Letherby) and Cat Dazzle (S. Bogenhuber) were both severely tightened for room and checked at the start between Maharishi (M. Hughes) and Week Nights On (J. Piper), which shifted out. Miss Kalymnos (T. Treichel) jumped away awkwardly, losing ground. The saddle on Brackin Road slipped near the 1000m, placing its rider, N. Thomas, at a distinct disadvantage for the remainder of the event. Near the 700m, Cat Dazzle (S. Bogenhuber) commenced to over-race and as a result shifted in, making contact with the running rail. Passing the 450m, Cat Dazzle shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so hampered Iza Comin’. Leaving the 400m, J. Piper, rider of Week Nights On, accidentally dropped her whip. Brackin Road (N. Thomas) and Snackman (J. Bowditch) raced wide throughout. Iza Comin’ lost its off-fore plate in running. A post-race veterinary examination of Top Ross failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 6:

Class 1 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Ladros; 2nd - Tinkling; 3rd - My Road

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Facoory: “We put him out after his first win because he needed time to mature mentally. I think he will be better over a bit more ground, but first-up today we were happy to run him over 1000m.”

Ladoros won over 1400m before being spelled and returned with a strong effort to win first-up here. The four-year-old is very lightly raced, having only had four starts (for the two victories) to date.

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “He’s a pretty smart horse, I reckon, but he’s got to come right in the head. He thinks everything is a game. Probably needs about ... yeah, he still needs a bit of time. In probably twelve months time he’ll be a smart horse. He’s a city class horse.
“I wouldn’t be in a hurry to step him up in distance. With the shorter races he’s learning a little bit ... to get in behind them and settle behind them and stuff. So I wouldn’t be in a hurry with him. Paul’s a pretty good trainer and he’ll step him up when he needs it. Like I said, I think he is a city class horse but he’s just got to get right mentally.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Ladros): 3.30 out to .80 in to 3.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
My Rock (D. Griffin), which blundered on jumping away, was further tightened for room between Willyclang (A. Spinks), which shifted out, and Lady Lesia (S. Bogenhuber), which shifted in. At the start, Kiss The King (M. Hellyer) had to be checked when tightened for room between Tinkling (O. Turpin) and Hayil Augustus (B. Pengelly), which was taken in by Stalwart Honey, which jumped away awkwardly. Shortly after the start, Willyclang (A. Spinks) commenced to buck, dislodging A. Spinks. Trainer R. Coveney was advised that Willyclang must perform satisfactorily in 2 barrier trials prior to its next race start. Ladros (J. Bowditch), which was inclined to hang out throughout the event, shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.
A post-race veterinary examination of Stalwart Honey revealed blood in its nose and mouth, however in the opinion of the veterinary surgeon this was caused by external trauma and as such the mare was not declared a bleeder. The connections of Stalwart Honey were advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for the mare prior to its next race start.


Race 7:

Class 6 Plate - 1000
1st - Kelly; 2nd - Stature; 3rd - The Pianist

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Garry Kirkup: “Yeah, I said to the rider to try and get him out (from the draw) and go up and sit just outside the leader ... and he did exactly what I asked him to do. It was a good strong win. It was a nice race for him today. He had a lot going for him apart from the barrier. Once we got out, we didn’t have to worry. This is his seventh start for me (for three wins). Gerald Ryan had him and he told me it’s best to stick to 1000m with him. With his speed he is mainly just a 1000m horse. He can run 1100m, but there’s not many of them around.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Kelly): 3.80 in to 3.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Miss Mataya (R. McMahon) and Stature (J. Taylor) were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, The Pianist (J. Bowditch), which had been slow to begin, commenced to race with its head in the air and shifted in. At the same stage, She’s Got Game (K. Wharton), whilst being steadied from the heels of Red Hot Pistol (R. Mason), which shifted in, commenced to hang out and as a result The Pianist clipped the heels of She’s Got Game and blundered, losing significant ground. Ring Ring and Plenty Of Practise (C. McIver) raced wide throughout. She’s Got Game(K. Wharton), which was inclined to hang out throughout the event, shifted out approaching the 300m and as result was forced to check from the heels of Red Hot Pistol (R. Mason), which shifted in under pressure.


Race 8:

Class 1 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Zeljko; 2nd - Lucky Landing; 3rd - Magic Rocker

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith: “My instructions were to keep off the fence. I told the jockey, even if you got the number one alley, get off the fence at some stage. When we were halfway and he was back through the field on the fence, I thought ... Oh God. But to his credit, he never gave up. It’s nice to turnaround those run of seconds and start winning. I think he’ll make a racehorse.”

This was Zeljko’s second successive win following a run of four second placings in a row.

Jockey Owen Turpin: “Lawrie (Mayfield-Smith) said to me just to jump him out and have him running fifth or sixth ... nice and relaxed. He tends to race forward, but he wanted me to try and relax him today. He did want me to come a couple off the fence, but, you understand, with gate one it was really hard.
“Lawrie had confidence in the horse. He told me he had a really good sprint. We got inconvenienced just at the 600m there, when I wanted to slide a bit more. The horse in front was coming backwards on to me. So he was left to come home on the worst part of the track. We were the only horse to win on the rail today. It was a big effort.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Zeljko): 2.50 in to 2.00 out to 2,10.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Left Hook (K. Pope) and Shaddar (J. Letherby) were slow to begin. Approaching the 1200m, Shaddar had to be steadied from the heels of Lets Deal (J. Cook), which shifted in. When the pace slackened near the 900m, Go Tally (R. McMahon) and Epicred (J. Taylor) both commenced to over-race. A short distance later, Left Hook improved up on to the heels of ZELJKO (O. Turpin) and had to be steadied. Shaddar, which was following, also had to be steadied from the heels of Left Hook. Both Zeljko and Left Hook were held up for clear running and lost ground between the 500m and 400m on the heels of the tiring Dubai Oasis (W. Clasohm). Epicred, Magic Rocker (E. Wilkinson) and Vettori’s Image(K. Wharton) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Lucky Landing, which returned to scale with blood in its mouth as a result of a small laceration to its tongue, and in a distressed state. A swab sample was taken from Lucky Landing.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses.
Horses swabbed:
All winners, Miss Monashee, Larry's Boy, Lucky Landing, Stature, Craiglea Ruby.