IPSWICH REVIEW (MON, MAR 09)

A review of the meeting held at Ipswich on Monday, March 9.

Race 1:

Class 1 Plate - 2150m
1st - Cinquacasino; 2nd - French Venture; 3rd - Kaadeema

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tim Gillespie: “I like Jana (Piper). She’s always ridden good races for me. She rode a very confident race. The horse been racing with no luck whatsoever. We’ve been racing him in Maidens and just keep getting squashed up early ... and dropped out ... and can’t get a crack at them. We decided to put him up into a Class 1 today and he’s won that. He hasn’t been able to win a Maiden, but he’s won this. You take what you can get. He’s always been an out and out stayer. He’s a good horse to train. He’s happy to do anything with you. He gives you no problems really. The tongue tie came off today. We only put that on last week, but it didn’t help him so we took it off again.”

Apprentice jockey Jana Piper: “I wanted to lead, but I couldn’t get to the front. The one outside me had more pace, so I thought I’d box-seat behind it. If I couldn’t lead I thought box-seating would be the next best thing. But then they put the brakes on down the back and I was screaming at them to get going, but I just had to wait to get around them. I just sat on him till we straightened. I knew he has a good turn of foot because I’ve ridden him before. I knew I could just cruise around and then let go. We rode him back last time and he couldn’t make the ground up because I was back last. Today I wanted to be leading and they’ve done that to me. I’m in the middle of the race and I’m thinking, if I get beat on this, he (Tim Gillespie) is never going to put me on again. But the horse did the job in the straight and ran down the other one, so it all turned out well in the end.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Battle Of Kapyong (R. Goltz) was slow to begin. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, Cinquacasino (J. Piper) made the first turn awkwardly and had to be steadied from the heels of French Venture (J. Murphy). When the paced slackened near the 1400m, Cinquacasino shifted out to avoid the heels of Stardubai (M. Dorrington) and in doing so forced Kaadeema (L. Cheshire) wider on the track. Cinquacasino raced wide from the 700m. Near the 400m, Elate And Excite (M. Speers) was disappointed for a run and had to be steadied when racing between Battle Of Kapyong, which shifted out, and Kaadeema, which was taken in by Cinquacasino. A post race veterinary examination of Battle Of Kapyong failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the performance and handling of Stardubai. After taking evidence from jockey M. Dorrington and stable representative Mr P. Randal, stewards adjourned the inquiry to a date and time to be fixed to enable them to interview trainer Mr G. Teal.


Race 2:

3yo QTIS Maiden Plate - 800m
1st - Alphonse; 2nd - Binda Belle; 3rd - Karma Getya

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ray Dart: “I thought he would put in a real good show. We were hoping he would jump a little bit better than he did. He come out really bad and sat back last. So he had a lot to do and his run a real good time. He is a half-brother to Quotes, another one that I’ve got that goes pretty good. He’s won five races, so we are hoping he measures up the same as the other bloke.”

Jockey Terry Treichel: “He’d done well first time out. I sort of wanted to be on the pace a bit quicker, but it didn’t work out that way. We got buffeted around a bit early. Coming around the corner ... it was just greenness, you know. He just sort of wanted to lay in. I got him out and then he wanted to lay out. But when I asked him he picked up the leaders very quickly and went past them in a flash. Once he got there, in front, he thought well this is enough, I’ve done my work, and he wanted to steady up. So he’s done quite well considering everything that went wrong for him. He got buffeted at the start, he was a first-starter and when things go wrong for first-starters they usually weaken out of it quite quickly. He’ll be alright.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Acting under the powers of AR178(e), stewards ordered the late withdrawal of Flirty Flossy at 12.15 pm following a report from the veterinary surgeon which indicated the horse had been medicated on course. After taking evidence from Dr M. Lenz and trainer Mr K. Deacon, stewards adjourned the inquiry pending the results of further analytical tests. Blood and urine samples were taken from Flirty Flossy.
Give It To Me (M. Palmer), which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly afterwards between Alphonse (T. Treichel) and Dodge County (C. Reith), which was taken in by Henson Park (R. Goltz), which jumped away awkwardly. The connections of Danangel (M. Speers), which commenced to hang out from approaching the 500m, were advised that the horse must satisfactorily barrier trial prior to its next race start. Near the 500m, Joleka Dancer (M. Paget) was momentarily tightened for room to the inside of Alphonse (T. Treichel), which shifted in. Sequina (K. Banks) was inclined to hang out from approaching the 400m. Passing the 200m, Karma Getya (B. Stewart) shifted in, making heavy contact with Binda Belle (S. Bogenhuber), causing both horses to become unbalanced.


Race 3:

3yo & Up G&E Maiden Handicap - 1350m
1st - Reining Chief; 2nd - Proselyte; 3rd - Nice Looker

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Andrew Cowell: “The news is that he is for sale ... could suit someone in the country. He’s been unlucky twenty-four times prior to today. He’s always drawn wide barriers and he’s always run good races and he’s always had an excuse. We had the small field today. Everything went right.”

Jockey Terry Treichel (who completed a double on the day): “It began very well and I didn’t really want to be where I ended up. I sort of wanted to be back a bit, but, because it began so well and showed good speed I went forward and thought I’d take a sit off. I sat back off the leader a little bit and let him do a bit of work. It was sort of struggling coming to the corner. He just picked it up pretty well and went on to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths or something. It wasn’t a very strong field all the same, but it’s a win”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Aljomaka Bay (A. Badger) was slow to begin. Nice Looker (S. Holcombe) reared as the start was effected, losing considerable ground. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding regarding its barrier manners. Near the 1000m, Bulky Boy (R. Goltz) improved on to the heels of Reigning Chief (T. Treichel) and had to be steadied. Affidavit (R. Hinricks), which was following, also commenced to over-race and a short distance later had to be steadied from the heels of Bulky Boy. Waite On (M. Dorrington) raced wide in the early stages. Near the 800m, Bulky Boy had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Waite On, which shifted in. Aljomaka Bay, which was inclined to lay out, shifted out, making contact with Waite On (M. Dorrington) leaving the 400m and on a number of occasions in the home straight. A. Badger, rider of Aljomaka, was reprimanded and advised to stop riding and straighten her mounts in similar circumstances.
Jockey M. Dorrington, rider of Waite On, was found guilty of improper riding under the provisions AR137(a), in that near the 50m he raised his right elbow towards apprentice A. Badger, rider of Aljomaka Bay, in an attempt to make contact with Miss Badger, and in doing so made contact with that rider. Jockey Dorrington was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 3 months, to commence at midnight, 14 March and to expire at midnight, 14 June 2009.


Race 4:

3yo & Up F&M Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Beautiful Moon; 2nd - Flawless; 3rd - Craiglea Kara

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Michael Nolan trained Beautiful Moon tracked the leaders early on, getting the run of the race until the home turn. On straightening, jockey Brad Stewart switched the grey out into the clear and asked the filly to go after the favourite Flawless, who had got first run on the field. Beautiful Moon responded with a steady, sustained finishing effort which carried her past the leader and on to a clear-cut victory.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shaqino (D. Barron) was slow to begin. My Space (M. Palmer) was tightened for room on jumping away between Ceethesunrise (R. Faehr) and Flawless (M. Paget), which shifted out. Ceethesunrise raced wide from the 600m. A post race veterinary examination of Bow Kitty, which compounded badly from the 400m, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 5:

3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1010m
1st - Wild Wilbur; 2nd - Sweet Magic; 3rd - Al Reem

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Lakey: “He’s been out for ten months. He fractured his splint bone in his back leg. I’m not sure if he did it in a race in his only start (at Esk). Anyway, he had to go and have an operation and he was probably three months off or something like that. The surgeons were pretty happy that it was all going to be good. We thought he went alright, but after the time out he came back and really started hitting his straps. I guess it might have been a blessing in disguise because he wasn’t that good before ... or maybe it was just natural improvement. He was just very green before. He is out of a very good mare and is by Desert Prince. I think she won up to 1400m. Guy Walter trained her and I think she won a couple of Listed race, so she was a pretty good mare.”

Jockey Brad Stewart: “There’s not much I can tell you. Michael (Lakey) said it went pretty good – and it did. There really is not much to report except that it was a trouble-free run and it was a pretty comfortable win.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bellaciano (M. Milford) and Morgan Factor (A. Merritt) were slow to begin. Leaving the 200m, Al Reem (M. Paget) shifted out, making contact with Wild Wilbur (B. Stewart).


Race 6:

CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1010m
1st - Tie Hand; 2nd - Burrows; 3rd - So Shall This

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer James Glare: “He was going to win last time. He carried 57kg in Open company, a Class 1, and he is only a three-year-old. He ran into a soft patch halfway down the straight which spoilt his chances. Today he was on top of the ground, which suits him a lot better. The same jockey (Brad Stewart) rode him last start. I just said I’d leave it to you, just as long as keep him for the last furlong. He needs to be saved for the last furlong.”

This result gave jockey Brad Stewart a race-to-race treble on the day.

Just a word of praise for jockey Julie Murphy, who finished second aboard Burrows in his race. Burrows was more than a little fractious in the mounting yard. When Murphy was legged-up the stirred-up chestnut responded by fly-jumping and slamming Murphy into the ground with a sickening thump, just metres from a spot where spectators lined the parade ring. The incident highlighted what a tough profession race riding is and also underlined just how tough most professional jockeys are. Within minutes Murphy was back on her feet, then back in the saddle, then back in the race where, in spite of the fact that Burrows suffered interference on more than one occasion, Murphy refused to back down and she brought Burrows flying with a spirited late flourish to score and eye-catching runner-up finish.

That praise does give way to concern on another associated matter. The speed at which an accident or possible injury is communicated to the trained medical staff on duty and the speed of their response is surely a race-day aspect that needs to be improved at all race-tracks. It would seem only logical that the mounting yard activities, where the congestion of horses and riders can prove to be dangerous, should be monitored by the track doctor as a matter of is a course, so he, or she, is available immediately if an incident should occur. It should be written in and highlighted as part of the job description. The doctor should not have to be summoned from somewhere else (particularly over the public address system) while non-trained personnel comfort the fallen rider. Once the horses are on the track itself, that onus of observation should fall on, amongst others, the paramedics on duty. I am loath to criticise them because of the general, good work they do, but, on the aspect of speed, surely if there are two paramedics, they shouldn’t both have to first stop and take time picking up their medical kits before strolling over to the scene. I would have thought one paramedic should get to the injured rider as soon as possible, while the other follows with their emergency kit. I do not know who is responsible for establishing that sort of protocol. I do know the matter needs attention.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed after J. Murphy was dislodged from Burrows in the saddling enclosure. Following an examination by the club's doctor, J. Murphy was cleared to ride in this event. Approaching the 900m, Burrows (J. Murphy) was tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing between Jackpot (S. Scriven) and Tie Hand (B. Stewart), which shifted in. Near the 700m, Burrows (J. Murphy) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Jackpot (S. Scriven), which shifted in. Leaving the 100m, Jackpot had to be checked from the heels of So Shall This (B. Pengelly) after attempting a tight run between that horse and The Hugginator (N. Thomas), both of which shifted ground. Jockey S. Scriven, rider of Jackpot, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. A post race veterinary examination of Bionic Rock failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 7:

F&M Class 1 Handicap - 1010m
1st - County Tale; 2nd - Shooting Stars; 3rd - Crazy Woman

WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Kelso Wood trained filly County Tale resumed here after being put out for five months (in part because of a stone-bruise problem). The filly, who was competently ridden by Brad Pengelly, dominated both the betting and the race itself, never having a single moment of concern as she surged clear when it mattered most to win to score with plenty in hand.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
County Tale (B. Pengelly) and Don’t Touch The Hat (D. Barron) came together on jumping away. Kuwani Mocha (N. Thomas) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with the barrier partition. Dancing Royal (T. Treichel) blundered on jumping away and lost ground. As a result, T. Treichel lost his off-side iron and was unable to regain the use of it again until near the 800m. Trading (D. Griffin) was momentarily held up for clear running near the 300m. Near the 50m, H. Hamada, rider of Celestafy, was obliged to stop riding when in restricted room to the inside of Crazy Woman (W. Clasohm), which shifted in. Don’t Touch The Hat (D. Barron) and Trading raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Don’t Touch The Hat revealed the mare to be sore in both forelegs. Trainer B. Sutton was instructed to provide a veterinary clearance for the horse prior to its next race start.


Race 8:

Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st- Lions And Dragons; 2nd - Aurtobe; 3rd - Cat Dazzle

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Laurie Manzelmann (who was greeting his third winner in two days following his double success at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday): “He’s been very, very sore – in the feet. So I gave him a lot of time off (four months). He had a run back last time and we stepped him up in distance here. It’s a really pleasing result.”

Lions And Dragons was partnered by jockey Anthony Merritt, who was part of Manzelmann’s winning double at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday where he also took out the last race, on that occasion, riding Brief Intention.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cat Dazzle (S. Bogenhuber) was slow to begin. Taj Paru (M. Speers) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with Ching Hoi Boy (D. Green) Approaching the 1200m, Diamondsaucash (W. Clasohm) was momentarily tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing between Base Dancer (C. Reith) and Rory’s Rapper (N. Thomas), which was taken in by Lions And Dragons (A. Merritt), which shifted in. A. Merritt, rider Lions And Dragons, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Nearing the 800m, Aurtobe (M. Palmer) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Mr Braveheart (A. Spinks), which shifted in. As a result, Diamondsaucash, which was following, shifted out to avoid the heels of Aurtobe (M. Palmer) and in doing so forced Rory’s Rapper (N. Thomas) wider on the track. Cat Dazzle made the home turn awkwardly. Taj Paru (M. Speers) was disappointed for a run over the final 200m between Aurtobe (M. Palmer) and Ching Hoi Boy (D. Green) and when endeavouring to obtain clear running bumped Ching Hoi Boy on several occasions. Rory’s Rapper (N. Thomas) raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Mr Braveheart, which compounded badly in the straight and was pulled up shortly after the winning post, failed to reveal any abnormalities. Stewards questioned jockey A. Spinks regarding the performance and he expressed concerns with the welfare of the horse in the straight and elected to ease the horse out of the race. Trainer's representative Mr D. Miller was advised that Mr Braveheart must be scoped prior to and following a satisfactory barrier trial prior to its next race start.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning licensees:
Reprimands: Race 3. Alannah Badger - A/jockey - C/riding - AR137(a)*
Suspensions: Race 3. Michael Dorrington - Jockey - Improper riding - 3 mths suspension - M/n 14.3.09 - M/n 14.6.09 - AR137(a)*
Adjourned inquiries : Race 1. Trainer G. Teal - Performance/handling of Stardubai
Race 2. Trainer K. Deacon - Medication of horse on race day

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners, Karma Getya, Aurtobe, Nice Looker, Burrows, Shooting Stars.
Pre race swabs: Cinquacasino, No Clapping, Flirty Flossy.