EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, FEB 28)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, February 28.

Race 1:

1MW Handicap -1600m
1st - Tipsy Piggy; 2nd - Honour Happy List; 3rd - Stage Shaker

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “She looked a bit awkward early ... over-raced a little bit. Strangely enough, she’ll have to go back to Sydney just to try and chase some black type. I think in two weeks time there is a mile Listed race there. Then a couple of weeks after that there’s an 1800m Listed race. That’s just to chase some Black Type. There are no plans to retire her or anything like that. We just want to take care of the Black Type now. She didn’t disgrace herself down there before and I know she just got home here, but I think it’s worth a go.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “She is a temperamental thing, but she is getting better all the time. Today she was just sitting down in the gates and I got someone up with her just before we jumped just to try and get her off the gates, but she didn’t begin like she did the other day. I had to give her a little bit of a push and then she didn’t want to come back to me. I didn’t want to roll any quicker because I thought she might feel it over the last bit. When Jason (Taylor on King Of Spurs) went I thought well that’s good, and then Bobby (El-Issa on Montoux) come up and he kind of shoved me back. Once I got back one out, one back, she relaxed. I was happy to take the sit. She did kick nicely enough in the straight. I didn’t ever think we were home though. I thought somebody might go past me, but she just kept kicking on. That run will do her good too.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tipsy Piggy): 1.50 out to 1.55 in to 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stage Shaker (D. Missen) jumped in at the start making contact with Tipsy Piggy (L. Cassidy). King Of Spurs (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly. Montoux (B. El-Issa) raced three wide in the early stages. Near the 300m Peaceful Honour (A. Spinks), which was tiring, had to be steadied when tightened for room between Snackman (C. Reith) and Stage Shaker which shifted out. G. Clem the trainer of King Of Spurs, which bled from both nostrils during the event, was advised that the horse would be banned from racing for 3 months under the provisions of AR53A.


Race 2:

QTIS 2YO Handicap - 1000m
1st - Neeson; 2nd - Swiss Rose; 3rd - Emma's Hart

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “He did the job at the right end, didn’t he (referring to Neeson’s flying finish). I looked at the horse in Sydney and liked him at the sales. I told the owners I liked him but I wouldn’t buy him because he wasn’t a QRIS horse. So they said, don’t worry, we’ll just send him home for you to train, whether he is QRIS or not. He didn’t get any QRIS money so that was a bit painful, but I’m glad the owners have had a couple of licks and got a nice little result. No, I’d never seen the people before. They just asked me to have a look at the horse. They are very nice people and I pleased for them. It’s a good start to their racing in Queensland. That was also good for Phil (Wolfgram). He’s come back from a broken wrist and he’s had a couple of seconds and now the win.”

Jockey Phillip Wolfgram: “I settled back because we didn’t want Brujita and him (the stablemates) taking each other on up front. She’s more educated so we chose to keep her in a bit behind them. But, in the straight, when they put three or four lengths on me, I thought I’m not going to run them down. The last ... probably 50m ... it really was only the last 50m he just took off. I was about three or four wide and just eased back in and he finished that strongly. The last bit was very impressive.
“This is my third week back. I was out with a wrist injury. I ran second with him first-up. I ran second with Sequallan last week. During the week I was saying I’m getting sick of these seconds, so it was good to get the win. I’ve actually had four rides since my come-back. I rode Ice Chariot as well. Another lap and he would have caught them.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Neeson): 3.80 out to 4.00.
Favourite (Emma’s Heart): 2.30 out to 2.35. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Carry Me Baby was declared a late scratching at 12.42 p.m. by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice after the horse was injured after becoming fractious in the race day tie-up stalls. Whatzahmata (R. Goltz) and Listen Son (E. Wilkinson) made contact on jumping away. Mislawsun (B. El-Issa) jumped away awkwardly. Neeson (P. Wolfgram) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with King Capo (App O. Turpin) Listen Son, which raced wide in the early stages, shifted ground outwards when placed under pressure in the straight. Tonzaticka (S. Scriven), which raced greenly when racing wide in the early stages, shifted out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages. Stewards questioned S. Scriven as to whether he had stopped riding his mount prior to the finishing line. S. Scriven stated that the horse raced greenly throughout the event, in particular over the concluding stages, and as a result he had refrained from using the whip close to the line. Stewards noted his explanation but nevertheless reminded him of his obligations to ride his mounts out to the finishing line. A post race veterinary examination of Mislawsun revealed the filly to be suffering from severe heat stress.


Race 3:

Class 6 Handicap - 2109m
1st - Kings Artist; 2nd - Fort ‘N' Won; 3rd - Tariki

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “I think the ride got him there. Yeah, and I think the increase in distance helped him. But I tell you what suits him best is the light weight. He’s not a real strong horse. Hopefully he can get his strength up after a spell. I haven’t had him all the time. He ran fourth in his first start for me. He nearly won. Then the EI struck. I couldn’t get him to the paddock. I had to do something, so I run him again, but he wasn’t ready. In his last ten starts, there’s been two wins, seven seconds and a third. He’s no superstar, but he tries his heart out. You wish the horse had more ability. I’ve got good ones at home who have ability, but just won’t go, you know.”

Jockey Bobby El-Issa: “He dug deep this little horse. He’s run into some pretty smart horses – Tipsy Piggy, Encosta Tzsyu horses like that. Dry track, drops 3kg in weight, he was going to be hard to beat. He’s going for a well-deserved spell now.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (King Artist): 3.10 out to 3.30. Equal favourite.
Equal favourite (Fort ‘N’ Won): 3.00 out to 3.30. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Legend Of Goku (R. Wiggins) was slow to begin. Beartracker (E. Wilkinson) and Eton Hall (App B. Evans) bumped on jumping away. Stewards questioned jockey L. Cassidy regarding the tactics he employed on Riseupsinging in particular his decision to leave a trailing position to improve three wide approaching the 1000m. L. Cassidy stated that his mount commenced to travel quite strongly leaving the 1100m and as he had concerns regarding the lead established by runners racing forward of him he took the opportunity to endeavour to position Riseupsinging closer to those leaders. L. Cassidy further added that Riseupsinging improved its position approaching the 700m however, was under pressure shortly after and he became concerned with the horse's action in the home straight. L. Cassidy's explanation was noted. A post race veterinary examination of Tariki revealed the gelding to be lame in the off-fore tendon. Trainer R. Bradshaw was advised that Tariki would require a veterinary certificate of fitness before racing again. A post race veterinary examination of Riseupsinging revealed the mare to have sustained abrasions to the off-fore fetlock. A post race veterinary examination of Aquaracer revealed the gelding to be suffering from heat stress.


Race 4:

3YO Handicap - 1500m
1st - Age Of Heroes; 2nd - Manaudou; 3rd - Hearty Laughter

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “He keeps taking the step up. I thought the 1500m would suit him better than the 1200m did, you know. Even when I sent him to Deacon the first time to trial him, Glen (Colless) trialled him and he came back and said this horse will run a mile. He’s still learning. He likes chasing, but as soon as he gets to the front ... he did the same at the Gold Coast. He ran all over the place. But he hasn’t learnt about that yet. This was only his fifth start, so he still has a lot to learn. He was just a little bit full of himself today. He’s been running through all of this hot weather and maybe he’d just had enough. He wanted to lay in here. He did that at the Coast. Well actually, he wanted to lay out down there, but, when he straightened up he shot away again at the finish. We’ll give him a little time out now. We’ll give him a couple of weeks out. Then bring him back, give him a couple of weeks on the walker and he’ll come back nice and fit and be just right for the Carniva"l."

Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “He played up quite a bit before the race today which he doesn’t normally do. I’m not certain why that was. He did really well in the race though. He sort of bounced out and showed a bit more pace today and got a nice little possie. Once we straightened up he pinged to the lead quite well. He’s still very green though. Once he got to the front he looked around and wanted to lay in on the fence. He doesn’t really know how to race yet. The distance (up from 1200m to 1500m) was perfect for him. He really is a really nice horse.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Age Of Heroes): 1.60 out to 1.80.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Age Of Heroes (App Michael Palmer) which stumbled when being restrained on its approach to the barrier stalls was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Young Cried Wolf (App C. McIver) and Golden Balls (App O. Turpin) were slow to begin. Near the 1200m Young Cried Wolf got its head up and over-raced for a short distance. Leaving the 1200m Star Of Ombre (R. Stewart) after being momentarily tightened for room by Hearty Laughter (App Matthew Palmer), which was taken in slightly by Manaudou (J. Taylor), overreacted and made contact with the running rail losing ground. Monashee Gold (R. Wiggins) which was following was obliged to shift out as consequence. Near the 800m Kbenrenrun (L. Cassidy) commenced to over-race and when being restrained off the heels of Age Of Heroes shifted out taking Northern Apache (K. Yoshida) wider on the track. Kbenrenrun continued to over-race for some distance thereafter. Age Of Heroes hung in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Northern Apache raced wide throughout the event.


Race 5:

Fillies & Mares NMW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Kentish Rose; 2nd - Linear; 3rd - Fasliyev Dancer

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer: “I didn’t think she’d won. I said to Luke (Rolls, the rider of Linear), did you get me and he said yes, definitely. We convinced each other that he’d won and I got beat, but, as it turned out, she must have got her head down right on the line. She had a pretty easy run throughout. Robbie (Heathcote) just said she was a stayer resuming (over 1200 first-up after a four month break) and that I should give her an easy run early and just have one crack at them. We drew well and, yeah, we got a super run through. Didn’t get out till late, but once she saw daylight, she put her ears back stuck her head out and hit the line.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Kentish Rose): 16.00 out to 21.00 in to 17.00.
Favourite (Fasliyev Dancer): 3.80 out to 4.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Anachelle (App C. McIver) was very slow to begin. Gold Omega (B. El-Issa) jumped in at the start making contact with Kentish Rose (App Matthew Palmer). Lucky Kentucky (C. Reith) jumped out at the start making contact with Rocklet (R. Goltz). Lucky Kentucky, Forced To Tango (J. Bowditch), Savanna La Mar (L. Cassidy) and Decibella (App A. Taylor) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Forced To Tango laid in when placed under pressure in the early stages of the straight and over the concluding stages was forced to race in restricted room between Rocklet and Decibella. A post race veterinary examination of Anachelle failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 6:

Colts, Geldings & Entires NMW - 1200m
1st - Hodges Street; 2nd - Eire Of Magic; 3rd - Come Said The Boy

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who completed a double on the day): “We tried to send him overseas, you know, but they backed out of the sale. That happened fairly recently ... only about two runs ago. We wanted to lead here. I just got the idea that when he was out in front by himself, he is a different horse. Otherwise he gets a bit claustrophobic. I think he proved my point. I think he ran along like that all by himself. I was a bit surprised by how well he did it. Coming around the turn the $9 odds didn’t look too bad.”

Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor (who scored her first win for her new boss Barry Baldwin): “I haven’t ridden a winner on Saturday for ages. I needed one. It’s the first one for Barry since moving to his stable. He’s been very good to me. It’s great. He ran into such a commanding lead, I was really pulling him back at the 600m because I thought we were going too hard. Yeah, when I got into the straight I waited for about 200m before I even moved on him, but he just kept going strongly. That’s what I needed – a good leader and just went and left them all behind.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hodges Street): 8.00 steady.
Equal favourite (Sir Teles): 6.00 out to 6.50. Finished fifteenth.
Equal favourite (Dardan): 6.00 out to 6.50. Finished eighteenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Millers Wheel (E. Wilkinson) was tightened for room on jumping away between Shamir (J. Bowditch) which shifted out and Base Dancer (C. Reith) which was taken in by Sneaky Squirrel (App C. McIver).
Stature (R. Goltz) jumped in at the start making heavy contact with Mr Wiggles (L. Cassidy), which in turn shifted in and made heavy contact with Dardan (S. Galloway). Approaching the 1000m Dardan was bumped and crowded for room when Mr Wiggles was taken in by Come Said The Boy (App L. Rolls), which shifted in when not fully clear. App L. Rolls was reprimanded and advised to ensure he is clear when shifting ground. Millers Wheel made the turn at the 1000m awkwardly. De Bono (W. Clasohm), Stature and Eire Of Magic (App Matthew Palmer) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Millers Wheel was momentarily held up for clear running leaving the 400m and then had to be checked near the 100m after improving up onto the heels of Cafe Bar (App B. Evans). Millers Wheel was unable to secure clear running at any stage thereafter. A post race veterinary examination of Dardan revealed the gelding to be lame in the off hind leg and to have sustained abrasions to the hind bumpers. Trainer T. Bailey will be advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Dardan racing again.


Race 7:

Falvelon Handicap - 1200m
1st - The Jackal; 2nd - Friendly Embrace; 3rd - Ego's Dare

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul St Vincent: “There is only one bottom line. You know they say some horses grow a leg in the wet. He grows it in the dry. You know he’s just got to be on the top of the ground, otherwise he is no good. So that’s where we’ll go next. Wherever it is dry ... Sydney, here, doesn’t matter ... wherever there is a dry track ... back to the Ramornie (which he has won twice) ... it doesn’t matter. But he has just got to be on top of the ground. The right handicap race on the right track and he’s there. I’ve just got to take it one race at a time. It wouldn’t matter if it was a Group 1 race and he was 3-1 on. If the track was wet, it is a waste of energy.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy (who completed a double on the day): “That was so impressive. He could not have been more impressive. They say he can be difficult mid-race if the pace slows, and he got a bit difficult. So I’m back on the fence, and they said to give him a clear run in the straight. When I switched her about four out, he was dead set ready to go. Like I pushed him into second gear and I didn’t even have to go to third. It was unbelievable. It was like he was pawing the ground underneath me. I can’t explain it. I can tell you ... I haven’t ridden a horse like that for a long time. The way he did it with the weight was amazing.
“He is a bit of a problem in the barriers. He reared up and he is just so big. He is such a big horse. It’s like ... it’s like three forty-four gallon drums tied together and you’re sitting on them ... and when they rear up, it’s very big and awkward. I have ridden him previously. I rode him in his third ever start in a Group 2 in Sydney. It was something like six runners and he finished fourth. He was still very immature then. I said he was a very good horse then. I never got another go at him till now.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (The Jackal): 8.00 steady.
Favourite (Vietnam): 4.60 out to 5.00. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The Jackal (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. K. Pope, rider of Sommersea Drive which hung out when racing wide reported that his saddle had shifted marginally rounding the home turn. A. Spinks the rider of Stolit was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that approaching the 1000m he allowed his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Set Alight (S. Thurlow) resulting in that horse having to be steadied and lose its rightful running. A. Spinks' licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings to commence midnight Wednesday 4 March 2009 and expire midnight Friday 13 March 2009. Approaching 800m Stolit was momentarily tightened for room by Momentously which shifted in. A short distance later when the pace steadied Stolit improved up onto the heels of Momentously and when being restrained shifted out. In all circumstances B. El-Issa the rider of Momentously was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Vietnam (B. Pengelly) was unable to secure clear running over the final 100m. A post race veterinary examination of Vietnam revealed no abnormality. A post race veterinary examination of Sommersea Drive revealed no abnormality.
A post race veterinary examination of Stolit revealed the gelding to be stiff in its action in front and was also exhibiting an abnormal respiratory noise. Trainer B. Miller reported that he would spell the horse immediately. Stewards advised Mr Miller that a veterinary clearance would be required before Stolit races again.


Race 8:

Class 6 Plate - 1400m
1st - Tisani Boy; 2nd - Three Swallows; 3rd - Encosta Tszyu

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Hatch (after Tisani Boy had won for the seventh time form eight starts): “He stamped himself today. He was always looking out for 1400m. Look, we not getting carried away, but he just keeps aiming up at whatever we’ve asked him to do. We’ll let the dust settle, but we are not going to talk him up or anything. We are just very happy. What he has already achieved and done for us, nothing really matters now, you know.
“Having said that, he is a serious racehorse. He has options now and I suppose you’ve got to look at the Winter Carnival, but I really don’t want to get carried away. I suppose you’ve got to aim at something like that. With what he did today well, there’s a nice little race over 1400m in June. If he could get into that with 50kg – but you don’t want to talk that up. I dream of having a runner in that, let alone one that has a chance. So we might look at that, but we just want the dust to settle. He’s got a lot of problems with his feet, so we work on him a couple of hours every morning after track-work. – me and Brent (evans). Temperament-wise he is magnificent. I’d like to go to war with him. He’s great.”

Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (almost in a state of shock in awe of the performance of Tisani Boy): “I can’t believe it ... I can’t believe it. I knew there wasn’t a helluva lot of speed so I knew I had to rev him up out of the gates and get him going forward. I didn’t have to do a lot on him. I just give him a dig and he really responds quickly. I had to take hold, because one was punching up on the inside. He wouldn’t come back, so I had to just let him relax outside the leader. I didn’t panic coming to the straight. I knew I had a helluva lot of horse under me and I waited well into the straight and then ... (again almost lost for words) ... gee he is a good horse.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tisini Boy): 6.00 out to 7.00 in to 6.00.
Favourite (Encosta Yszyu): 4.60 out to 5.50. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Il Favorito (N. Spencer) jumped away awkwardly. Viking Storm (B. El-Issa) and Bushland (R. Wiggins) made contact on jumping away. Il Favorito, Fiori (A. Spinks) and King Leonidas (S. Scriven) all raced wide throughout. Sir Kingsford (App C. McIver) over-raced when racing wide throughout the event. Dawn’s Pride (App O. Turpin) was held up for clear running for a short distance upon entering the home straight. A post race veterinary examination of King Leonidas revealed the gelding to have sustained abrasions to the off-fore fetlock. A post race veterinary examination of Tenfold failed to reveal any abnormality.