EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, MAR 21)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, March 21.

Track-rating: Dead 4 (Upgraded to a Good 3 after Race 2). Rail: True.

Race 1:

Class 6 Plate - 2200m
1st - Drumshanbo; 2nd - Encosta Tszyu; 3rd - Dawns Queen

Trainer Michael Nolan: “He is a promising stayer. First go at the trip and he has run it right out again, you know. It was a good sound effort. He really put paid to them. He is only lightly raced. I know he pulls, but I don’t want to take the blinkers off because I don’t want to change things while he’s getting these results.”(Drumshanbo has won four out of twelve starts with five minor placings). “ We’ll probably give him another one of these races. We were going to give him a bit of racing before the Winter and then spell him, but he handles wet and dry ... whether he is up to something during the Winter ... who knows? He is much improved. We had him in a Class 3 at the Gold Coast today over 1800m. It was a real easy race. The owners said, oh no, we want to see if he’ll run 2200m. I said, right. We got the answer today.”

Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “He jumped up in distance. I think the further ...you know the 2000m, 2200m races are a lot better for him. The other day (when winning his previous start over 1818m) he just never really settled and sort of wanted to reef and tear. Well, today he just settled and raced a lot better. I sort of had a sneak look back halfway up the straight just to make sure I was going alright. I didn’t want to put him under more pressure than necessary. Today he was a lot more focussed than the other day. The last time he wanted to look around a bit. He’ll go through his grades.”

For the record, Michael Palmer’s brother Matthew did complete all of his engagements during the afternoon. Matthew Palmer was the focus of some concern following an incident at Ipswich on Friday, when his mount Star Cure bolted through the barriers prior to the second race and left the rider receiving medical attention for a lengthy period of time, after which he was transferred to hospital for further examination.

Apprentice jockey Matthew Palmer (talking later on Saturday about the drama at Ipswich on Friday): “The horse went right down on the ground and got out under the gate. Because the gate didn’t open he just put be against the metal and jerked my head back. Because I’d broken my neck before, that’s why they were so careful with me. To be honest, I don’t remember that much. I thought they just put me straight in the ambulance. I didn’t realise it took so long. So I must have out for a while. I’m very sore now. I’m on a lot of pain-killers. We’ll see how it is tomorrow. Right now it’s pretty uncomfortable.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Drumshanbo): 7.00 out to 9.00.
Favourite (Encosta Tszyu): 2.00 out to 2.50. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Peaceful Honour (App L. Rolls) jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Moon Chaser (App M. Hellyer) and Dawns Queen (App C. McIver) made contact on jumping away. Drumshanbo (App M. Palmer) raced wide in the early stages. Near the 1500m Drumshanbo commenced to over-race and improved up onto the heels of Father Dex (C. Reith) and had to be steadied. Fort ‘N’ Won (App O. Turpin) raced wide until a point near the 1200m.
When questioned regarding the performance of Fort ‘N’ Won App O. Turpin stated that the horse jumped well and whilst he was obliged to race three wide until well into the back straight he was of the opinion that Fort ‘N’ Won was very disappointing. Trainer's representative Mr M. Dunn advised stewards that Fort ‘N’ Won would be sent for an immediate spell. A post race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 2:

2yo Handicap - 1300m
1st - Fantastic Blue; 2nd - Choistar; 3rd - Spinelli

Trainer Paul Nolan: “I bought him at the Magic Millions sale. Gerry (Harvey) said to me, don’t race him as a two-year-old mate ... he won’t make a two-year-old. I said Gerry you stick to selling fridges and I’ll train horses. He cost $55000, which is a bloody lot for me, I can tell you. I’ve got a few plans for him, but I’m not divulging anything now. It’s a secret. Keep watching the papers. No, seriously, he could have gone into the Magic Millions race next Saturday, but they don’t count that money. I want to win the Sires Produce (on May 30) with him, that’s what I want to do. So I’ve got to go where the money counts. We’ve just been stepping him up gradually in distance. He’ll get a mile.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is a really nice horse. He has got a lovely action on him and when he flattens out, like he really gets low to the ground and really lengthens stride. He was pretty lazy the last bit when he got to the front. He will run a mile – no problem. I would think he would get further, but that’s harder to say at this stage. But I’m certain he’ll get a mile, no problem at all.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Fantastic Blue): 2.50 out to 3.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The Goddess was declared a late scratching at 12.41 p.m. by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice after the horse became cast in the barriers. Stable foreman for trainer B. Baldwin was advised that The Goddess must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to its next race start.
Neeson (R. Goltz) jumped out at the start taking Finx (App M. Palmer) out onto Show Me Why (App L. Rolls), which in turn shifted out hampering Fantastic Blue (L. Cassidy). Empezar (K. Pope) jumped out at the start making contact with A Touch Of Frost (App B. Evans), which shifted out hampering Warrego (M. Radecker). Show Me Why faltered near the 1100m. Empezar which raced ungenerously throughout the event shifted out leaving the 600m taking Choistar (A. Pattillo) wider on the track. Stewards intend to question trainer T. Miller in regards to the racing manners of Empezar. Succeed And Exceed (App A. Taylor) hung in when placed under pressure in the straight. Tonzaticka (J. Byrne) which raced wide throughout, had a tendency to lay out. A post race veterinary examination of Empezar failed to reveal any abnormality. A post race veterinary examination of Show Me Why failed to reveal any abnormality


Race 3:

No Metro Win Handicap - 1400m
1st - Margy Magic; 2nd - Kentish Rose; 3rd - Hear Ye

WINNER FEEDBACK
Trainer Alicia Willick: “He’s so honest. He’s had a couple of weeks out in the paddock. He went to the owner’s property and had three or four weeks out there. It was a last minute decision, we thought this race was pretty weak. We really wanted 1200 – we were looking at a race next week - but we thought we’d throw him in. He’s been a really naughty boy, he’s been jumping out of his skin. It was a good win, a very good win, he’ll only improve on that.

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls: “The horse let down really well didn’t he? He was good racing fresh. We struck a bit of trouble about the 1000m mark, probably just a tad before ... sort of got up on heels and had to check out of it a little bit. Once he found his feet again, he got travelling nicely underneath me. As soon as he saw daylight he really hit the line.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Margy Magic): 4.40 out to 4.60 in to 4.00. Equal favourite.
Equal favourite (Jacaranda Charm): 3.80 in to 3.50 out to 4.00. Finished sixth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jacaranda Charm (K. Forrester) blundered on jumping away. Demolir (App O. Turpin) was slow to begin. Margy Magic (App L. Rolls) which had commenced to over-race, improved up onto the heels of Jacaranda Charm near the 1000m and when being restrained shifted out taking Snackman (App B. Evans) wider on the track. Pelltro (J. Brown) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Snackman and Demolir (App O. Turpin) raced wide throughout. Kentish Rose lost its off-fore plate in running.
Stewards sought an explanation from jockey K. Forrester regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Jacaranda Charm. K. Forrester stated that due to the lack of pace in the early stages he was forced to position Jacaranda Charm in a more forward position than he would have liked which is in contrast to the mare's normal racing pattern. K. Forrester explained that in his opinion this did not suit Jacaranda Charm. K. Forrester further added that the mare then travelled comfortably however, was under pressure rounding the home turn and proved very disappointing in the way it had finished the race off. A post race veterinary examination of Jacaranda Charm failed to reveal any abnormality.
Stewards sought an explanation from jockey B. El-Issa regarding the performance of Power Express. B. El-Issa stated that the horse travelled fairly in the early and middle stages however, when asked for an effort upon entering the home straight Power Express changed stride on several occasions and commenced to tire shortly after. Trainer B. Purcell stated that in his opinion Power Express may not have appreciated the firmer surface today and added that the gelding is more affective on rain effected tracks. A post race veterinary examination of Power Express failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 4:

Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - Honour Happy List; 2nd - Go Cart; 3rd - Tisani Boy

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Danny Craven: “I was back last travelling nice and comfortable. I was very happy where I was. You have got to ride him quiet anyway. When she let down I thought it was going to win by a couple of lengths running away from them, but as soon as it got to the front it said, okay I’ve done my job now, that’ll do me. Just stayed in front. That’s all it did. It was a good run last start. She was a little bit unlucky. A couple of things went wrong last start. She only got beat half-a-length. The trainer (Olivia Cairns) is a very good trainer. She’s very good with her horses. You watch all of her horses are presented one hundred percent before they race and they always race that way too.’’

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Happy Honour List): 13.00 Steady.
Favourite (Tisani Boy): 2.10 in to 1.85. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Nevada Gambler (App M. Hellyer) raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from App C. McIver the rider of Rags To Riches regarding the tactics he employed today on that horse. App McIver stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position and stated that he was able to take up the lead shortly after the start. App McIver further explained that Rags To Riches raced strongly in the lead and when Sam’s Express (App O. Turpin) improved to the outside of him near the 1200m Rags To Riches commenced to race very fiercely. Trainer L. Birchley confirmed the instructions and after viewing stewards patrol footage concurred with App McIver's explanation. Stewards noted their explanations.
Stewards also sought an explanation from App O. Turpin in regards to the tactics he employed on Sam’s Express, in particular the reasons for him improving his position forward and to the outside of Rags To Riches near the 1200m which resulted in an exceptionally quick tempo in the middle stages. App Turpin stated that he had been instructed to have the horse in a handy position and shortly after the start was able to take up a position one off the fence behind Rags To Riches. App Turpin further explained that his horse raced strongly approaching the 1200m and rather than restrain the horse he felt it was in his mount's best interests to allow it to stride forward to the outside of Rags To Riches near the 1000m. Trainer M. Nolan confirmed these instructions however, voiced disappointment in regards to App Turpin's decision not to attempt to restrain Sam’s Express and take up a trailing position behind Rags To Riches given the speed of the race. Stewards advised App Turpin that in their opinion his ride lacked judgement, specifically his failure to attempt to take a position behind Rags To Riches which had become available leaving the 1200m. App Turpin was advised that he would be required to attend apprentice training and undertake sessions of tutelage with Queensland Racing Limited's riding instructors.
A. Pattillo the rider of Pay me was reprimanded for using his whip to excess. When assessing penalty stewards took into account A. Pattillo's exemplary record.


Race 5:

NMW Handicap - 1000m
1st - Backstabber; 2nd - Hail Free; 3rd - Fiamore

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brett Dodson: “(Trainer and part-owner) Tim Martin had a few problems with him. He went sore. After his run at Wyong, he sort of half-retired him. He had a sesamoid problem. In fact he was in plaster for a while down at Tim’s. At first they said they weren’t going to bring him back. He seemed to recover pretty well. A few of the guys in the horse, who live in Tamworth, I used to knock around with them, the same as Tim, and they said, why not let him go to Coffs Harbour and give him a bit of a go over there. I said I would take him along on the basis that if there was any sort of sign he was going to go, well then I wouldn’t press on.
“We tried a few tricks with him. So far it’s worked. He gets plenty of swimming. I mean he’s had the saddle on once ... he had the saddle on him on Tuesday ... that’s the first time he’s had a saddle on since his last run (on February 28). He doesn’t get worked much, but I suppose that is what you’ve got to do to get steel these horses up. He is a lovely horse. We knew he could gallop. It was just a matter of steeling him up. Ah, yeah he had to fight in the finish. He showed a bit of ticker for sure. Any horse that has had that sort of injury and has recovered from it so well, has already shown you that he has got a bit of ticker in him ... and, like I say, we knew he could gallop. It took both the ability and the heart to win today. We’ll give him a break now. I just wanted to turn the horse out all put together. The minute he performed like he did, it was a bonus. But that horse going into the paddock now is going in good. You’ll be confident you can bring him back strong. I’ve only had him for three runs (which have brought a hat trick of wins). Three out of three, so he’s certainly been good to me.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Backstabber): 3.50 out to 3.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fiamore (R. Wiggins) and Snowladd (App L. Rolls) came together at the start. Carry On Doctor (E. Wilkinson) shifted out at the start and bumped Patties Mate (D. Craven). Bradfield (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Shortly after the start True Flyer (K. Yoshida) was tightened between Decibella (App A. Taylor) and Admiral Gherkin (L. Cassidy) which shifted in. Near the 600m Tejada (App M. Palmer) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Admiral Gherkin which shifted in. Patties Mate hung in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Decibella raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 6:

3yo Handicap - 1200m
1st - Plain Magic; 2nd - Leapfrog; 3rd - Surrounded By Sin

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “She’s always shown a lot. He’s done a good job today, because I backed right off her after she won – work-wise. We had to pick her up again. She is only a light little filly. She had to put it in here. She showed fight in the finish, although I think she ran out of gas about 50m out, but she had that extra bit of ability which allowed her to just carry on. She is a tough little filly. It’s hard to win going from a Maiden to a Three-year-old Handicap.”

Jockey Christian Reith: “She is a nice filly in the making. She had a couple of hiccups last preparation and Kelly (Schweida) got her over that. She’s always had ability. She tracked up good. Everything went according to plan in the race and I’m very happy with her effort.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Plain Magic): 10.00 in to 9.00.
Favourite (Meet George): 3.80 in to 3.60. Finished sixth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
A Little Knowledge (App C. McIver) and Mountain Brew (D. Craven) both began awkwardly. Alioop (L. Cassidy) and Leapfrog (App L. Rolls) came together on jumping. Surrounded By Sin (A. Pattillo) raced ungenerously in the early stages. Leaving the 1000m Meet George (App O. Turpin) was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Mountain Brew, which was receiving pressure from Alioop. A short distance later Meet George then had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Mountain Brew, which again was taken in. Heza Flashman (K. Yoshida) which was following had to be steadied as a consequence. Near the 700m Mountain Brew improved up onto the heels of Plain Magic (C. Reith) and shifted out making contact with Alioop. Mountain Brew then became unbalanced and faltered. Seesawing (J. Byrne), Tears’N’Çheers (App B. Evans) and Casholet (App M. Palmer) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Near the 350m Rovert (D. Browne) shifted out hampering Heza Flashman. Approaching the 200m Navigation (B. El-Issa) was crowded for room to the inside of Tears’N’Cheers, which shifted in under pressure. A short distance later Navigation had to be steadied off the heels of Seesawing, which shifted out slightly. Near the 100m Rovert shifted out to improve and in doing so made contact with the tiring Seesawing. A post race veterinary examination of Seesawing failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 7:

Open Handicap - 1300m
1st - Watchyerback; 2nd - Vietnam; 3rd - Nellie Got There

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “He is a nice old horse. He should really have won at Doomben. Then he went to the Gold Coast and we dropped him back to the 1200m. Over the 1200m at the Gold Coast – it is a tight track, he is a big horse, it was wet and he was slipping and sliding around the place. It rained all day and the track was slippery and he just couldn’t get his footing. They lose their confidence in those conditions. Today is the first time I got a nice track for him. The sting out of the track suited him. He got a good hold and he extended out well. We ran him further back, and he got home. He is an eight-year-old so we have to look after him. He’s had problems – bad knees, bad feet, bad joints – all just wear and tear. He is a big animal too, which doesn’t help. You can’t do too much with him. I just take him to the beach and swim him. That’s all. I’ve had him for two runs now. I got him from (trainer) Phillip Pengelly. He came down here with the horse and then left the horse with me when he went back.” (Pengelly, the father of jockey Brad Pengelly, is based in Gladstone). “I’m not certain where he will go next. I think Phillip wants to prepare him for the Newmarket in Rocky. Maybe he will reconsider that. In two weeks time there is a mile race here, a one metro win in the last twelve months. You think he could win that wouldn’t you? He might get a bit of weight but he is a strong horse.”

Jockey Christian Reith (who completed a race to race double on the day): “He didn’t have much luck in the running, but the horse is better racing outside of horses. He was three deep with cover. I got on the back of one and was able to track it through, which helped a lot and, you know. He went to the line full of running.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Watchyerback): 14.00m out to 15.00.
Favourite (Bareena): 3.80 out to 4.20. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Vocalic (App J. Brown) began awkwardly. Near the 900m Vocalic improved up onto the heels of Bareena (J. Byrne) and when being restrained got its head up and raced very ungenerously. Very Canny (A. Pattillo), Bitabiff (D. Craven) and Hard To Catch (App O. Turpin) all raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Public Nuisance failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 8:

4YO & Up Class 6 Plate - 1200m
1st - Frosty; 2nd - Abbacina; 3rd - More On The Toe

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Wakefield: “He really didn’t have a good run from the barrier last time and he only got in .... Luke rode him very well ... but he just didn’t have any luck that day. He only just got in around 100m or so and then he had to start making his run again. He was three wide here again today all the way. He did it well. We’re looking at another one of these races next week at Doomben.”

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls (who completed a double on the day): “Last time the draw got us and I thought it was going to get us again today but the horse was a touch fitter. He began so well. I was told to ride him a bit quieter, but I got caught wide, so I thought there was no point in hunting forward. He had no weight on his back so I thought I would just keep him balanced. He relaxed very nicely underneath me. He is a nice, big horse and he covers ground well. He is going to win more races.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Frosty): 5.00 out to 5.50.
Favourite Hodges Street): 5.50 in to 4.00 out to 4.20. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As App B. Evans the rider of Seething Duck was to be overweight he was fined the sum of $300.00.
Trainer J. McLachlan was advised that More On The Toe which proved difficult to load would require a further barrier certificate before racing again.
Bushland (K. Forrester) and Hodges Street (App A. Taylor) made heavy contact on jumping away. Seething Duck (App B. Evans) jumped away awkwardly. Time And Dandy (D. Craven) had to be steadied shortly after the start when tightened for room between Ulladulla (B. El-Issa), which shifted in and Abbacina (S. Galloway) which shifted outwards. Approaching the 1000m Seething Duck had to be steadied when Hodges Street shifted in when not clear. App A. Taylor the rider of Hodges Street was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care. Leaving the 150m Rocklet (App J. Brown) had to be checked when attempting a narrow run to the inside of Hodges Street, which shifted in and away from Michelle Cafea (App M. Hellyer) when tiring. Approaching the 100m Seething Duck had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Ulladulla which shifted in. B. El-Issa was reprimanded. Frosty (App L. Rolls) and Agnes Dream (App Michael Palmer) raced wide for the majority.