EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, APR 25)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, April 25.

Race 1:

Class 6 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Plenty of Practise; 2nd - Fat Possum; 3rd - Hear Ye

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Frank Phillips: “She was ridden how I asked him (Brent Evans) to ride her. The jockey fought her a little bit too hard last time, but this boy let her slip at the right time and she responded better. It’s a real pleasing effort, because I always thought she might make it in town.”

Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Yeah, it was my first ride on the horse. I picked the ride up off Owen (Turpin), you know. He’s been crook of late ... pretty crook. He hasn’t been out of bed and that, so he couldn’t make it to the ride. I picked up the ride and it was a good enough to win. She felt great throughout. She was always going to be handy. I was originally going to lead, but one was going a bit quicker. We were going a nice tempo and I just decided to come back and sit off it. She relaxed under me well and I just waited until it was time to go.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Plenty Of Practise): 7.00 steady.
Favourite (Fourmula): 5.00 out to 6.50. Finished eighth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Our Heart (J. Bowditch) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Gracesynd (App A. Taylor), Our Heart, Fourmula (J. Byrne) and Kyros (B. El-Issa) all over-raced in the early stages. More Than Regal (S. Seamer), which raced wide throughout, over-raced in the early and middle stages. Near the 800m Gracesynd improved up onto the heels of Kentish Rose (Matthew Palmer) and had to be steadied. Leaving the 350m More Than Regal and Kyros made contact. T. Treichel the rider of Nasadispute dropped his whip at the 200m.
B. El-Issa the rider of Kyros was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in after passing the finishing line resulting in Toro Rosso (A. Pattillo) being taken in onto Kentish Rose, which had to be steadied.
When questioned regarding the performance of Fourmula jockey J. Byrne stated that whilst on face value the horse's performance may have appeared disappointing, he felt that the slow tempo of the race in the middle stages was to the horse's detriment and added that in his opinion Fourmula had finished the race off reasonably well. A post race veterinary examination of Fourmula failed to reveal any abnormality.


Race 2:

2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Temple Of Boom; 2nd - Daneomite; 3rd - Bob And Dolly

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Gollan: “Yeah, we put him out and we’ve been very patient with him to bring him back for the winter. We might have fallen a bit behind the eight-ball with him, with the weather and that, but he’s got a lot of improvement in him from today too. He probably got caught behind the wrong horse. We didn’t want to get caught behind the leader. The idea was to get him to settle. We rode him like that in a trial on Tuesday ... and then here again. If he is going to run on in 1200m and 1400m, he’s going to have to learn to settle. The main plan is the Sires. We’ll just see how we go through the winter with him. Like I said, he was a bit behind the eight-ball today leading into this run because of the weather. They moved trials around a bit. That’s why we had to trial Tuesday and race on Saturday. But he came through it well. That’s the way to ride him I think.”

Jockey Michael Cahill: “He had a good run, barrier one, just in behind the pace. We just needed a little luck getting clear, but once he did he was able to finish off. We planned to settle him in behind like that. He finished off well. He is a nice horse in the making.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Temple Of Boom): 3.00 out to 3.20.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fields Of Plenty (A. Pattillo), Pioneer Way (R. Wiggins) and Southport (S. Scriven) were all slow to begin. Leaving the 900m Sniplaz (App L. Rolls) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Before The Storm (T. Treichel), which shifted in. Near the 600m Daneomite (L. Cassidy) had to be steadied when momentarily tightened for room between Frisco Lights (J. Byrne) and Sniplaz, which shifted in. Daneomite and Sniplaz made contact leaving the 400m. Temple Of Boom (M. Cahill) was held up for clear running until a point leaving the 200m. Passing the 200m Daneomite shifted in taking the tiring Frisco Lights in onto Before The Storm.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Sniplaz App L. Rolls stated that the horse travelled well until a point rounding the home turn when he asked Sniplaz for an effort at which point the horse was immediately under pressure and failed to respond to his riding thereafter. App L. Rolls added that he felt the horse was somewhat reluctant to stretch out today. A veterinary examination of Sniplaz revealed the gelding to be mildly sore in both fore-legs. Trainer L. Birchley was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced prior to Sniplaz racing again.
A post race veterinary examination of Pioneer Way revealed the filly to be lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer P. Sexton was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced prior to Pioneer Way racing again.


Race 3:

Peter Gallagher Stakes Handicap (Quality) (Listed) - 2144m
1st - Go Cart; 2nd - Rabbuka; 3rd - Drumshanbo

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steven O’dea: “Ryan (Wiggins) can’t do a thing wrong at the moment. Neither of us can. If he pulls up all right and I keep him in work there is a Group 2 race at Doomban in a couple of weeks. I think he’s had nine runs now (this prep), so ... but in saying that, he sort of keeps pulling up good after his races all the time. He is a pretty adaptable horse and he is very genuine, so I will just see how he does. He is on a race to race basis at the moment. We don’t have anything big in mind, just probably some of the lesser staying races over the Carnival. I think 2000m, 2100m is probably his limit.”

O’dea and Wiggins have been making merry lately. In fact O’dea has been on a roll since relocating to Brisbane from Townsville.

Steven O’dea: “I brought horses down at the start of January. I’ve been here permanently since the start of March. I’ve won three distance races already which has exceeded all expectations, for sure. In both town and provincial racing, I think we’ve won nine out of nineteen since moving here. So, yeah, it’s going really well.”

Jockey Ryan Wiggans: “Another nice win, mate. He did it well today. It probably didn’t suit him, the dry track today, but he stuck it out well. There was plenty of speed on and I just sat back off them, about fifth. There was plenty of speed, so I got a nice track up into the race. I was very happy where I was early. He carried a bit of weight today so I had to protect him a bit. I got into the race at the right time and he had a strong finish. I thought we had them covered early in the straight. He got to the front pretty quick, but he laboured bit in front. He’s probably ... like I said, he’s not the best on dry tracks compared to wet tracks, but he stayed on well with heavy weight today.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Go Cart): 4.00 steady.
Favourite (Rabbuka): 2.60 out to 2.80. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Drumshanbo (App Michael Palmer) raced ungenerously in the early stages.


Race 4:

2mw Handicap - 1400m
1st - Our Lukas; 2nd - Little Stranger; 3rd - Save A Buck

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “It pleases me a lot. Last preparation I purposefully kept him to the mile to save him for the Winter Carnival. I can win a really good staying race with this horse over 2000m. He’s done that first up. I have him a lot further forward this time than I’ve have ever had him. The last prep ... last prep I was learning him about him. But this time, no trials - just with jumps outs and that – I’ve got him well-advanced. Mate, wait till he gets to 2000m. I believe over 2200m, he is going to win a nice race. He can win an Ipswich Cup this horse. Yeah, it’s a big call for a horse, but the potential is there. He is by Generous. I brought him back last prep to save him for the Carnival and I really believe I’ve made the right decision. He’s shown it today to beat that lot over 1400 first-up. He’ll go to a mile and, like I say, he’ll only get better as he goes over further.”

Jockey Anthony Pattillo: “We jumped positive. I decided to be aggressive before I went out onto the track. It paid dividends. We got into a lovely spot, one out, one back ... travelling up good. I was pretty confident that the speed of the race would suit a forward running horse and we got such a nice run. Just peeled off them and sort of attacked after straightening and then he did a good job to hold on. He takes a lot of riding the horse. That was my first go on him. I’ve seen him a bit though. He felt good mate. All credit to Rob (Heathcote) and his staff, you know ... first-up over 1400m. He definitely feels like he has a few more wins in store for himself over the winter.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Our Lukas): 12.00 out to 14.00.
Favourite (Save A Buck): 5.00 in to 4.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Yass River (S. Scriven) and Charvicky (App A. Taylor) bumped on jumping away. Man Of Class (A. Merritt) was slow to begin. Yass River and Charvicky raced wide throughout the event. Felixtrinidad (J. Bowditch) had a tendency to lay out when placed under pressure in the straight. Leaving the 100m Sir Kingsford (D. Craven) improved up onto the heels of the tiring Yass River and was obliged to alter course.


Race 5:

2mw Handicap - 1000m
1st - She's In The Guide; 2nd - Pride Of Power; 3rd - Ben Hur

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “She’s had a few problems, mate. She pulled up lame last start she had.” (That was more than four months ago, on December 6). “She pulled up quite lame. It actually appeared that she might have done something to her spine. She couldn’t walk home from the races. I gave her pain-killers and all, but she still couldn’t walk home. We had to bring the float in onto the racetrack after everyone had gone. We put her in the float and we had to drive her right to her stable door to get her off. We don’t know what happened to her, whether she pinched a nerve or whatever. We never did find out. But she has a long spell and she’s had a lot of treatment. Yeah, and thank heavens, she’s come back and won that one. We will just take it race by race. Mate, she is a very fast mare and if you stick around the 1000m ... well, she’s never run a bad race over 1000m. We’ll have a go at a Fillies And Mares race now and see how it goes.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy “Instead of beating them out, she jumped with them ... she began on terms with them. I’ve never ridden her before, but they just said, she’s a free runner. Don’t try to restrain her. Let her just roll under her own steam. I was able to cross without doing too much work, even though we we’re running along. And, gee she dug deep. When they came at me at the 300m, I thought they had me to be honest. I thought they were going to run over the top of me. With regard to her back problem, I’d say she’s probably alright, but just see how she pulls up. Time will probably tell. It was a pretty impressive win really.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 600m Seething Duck (A. Spinks), when steadying from the heels of Daunting Lad (App L. Rolls), shifted out tightening the running of Sectagonal (J. Byrne). Leaving the 600m Junk In The Trunk (S. Seamer) and Seething Duck made contact. Approaching the 400m Caprizzi Strip (App Michael Palmer), which had a tendency to hang out, shifted out making contact with Junk In The Trunk. Near the 300m Seething Duck shifted out and away from Mitanni (App B. Evans) and in doing so made contact with Sectagonal. A short distance later Seething Duck had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Mitanni, which shifted out to improve. App B. Evans the rider of Mitanni was reprimanded. Sectagonal lost an off-fore plate in running.


Race 6:

3yo Queensland Day Plate (Listed) - 1400m
1st - Bold Glance; 2nd - Za Magic; 3rd - Plain Magic

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Norm Hilton (who had his left arm in a sling after breaking it on Tuesday) : “Ah, yeah ... I fell off a horse. The horse actually stepped on my arm. That is what broke it. Not this horse. He wouldn’t do that to me. I fell off when I was riding work. I ride most of my own horses. I’ve got about twenty horses there at the moment. Probably racing about eight myself. The rest are pre-trainers. I do pre-trainers and breakers, but I’m gradually working more into the training side of it.
“We bought him at the Magic Millions sale back before EI. When the EI hit we thought, ah we won’t get the money we think he is worth, so we decided to keep him. We sold a share to Bill and Trudy (Walsh) and we went from there. Yeah, it’s been a bit of a long-winded programme, but it’s paid off. We’ll look at that Doomben Classic Mile for three-year-olds now. That’s in two weeks time.
“He is a lovely horse to look after. He’s just the best natured horse. He’s a pet at home. Kristy (banks) rides some work for me and we put her on when we can. This is my first winner in town – and it‘s a Listed. race. So it is a first win in town and first Listed race all in one.”

Jockey Kristy Banks: “I’ve had a lot to do with Norm (Hilton) my whole life, but I really haven’t had that many rides for him. Tracy, his wife, just rung me up on Monday and said do I want to ride him, and I said, yeah, I’d love too. I drew the fourteen alley, so I elected to go forward. One went out to the lead, so we just sat off him. We got a really beautiful run and I just sort of cuddled him around the turn and he did the rest.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Bold Glance): 21.00 out to 26.00.
Favourite (Ashlee’s Jewel): 4.00 steady. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Athenas Gift (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Resume (S. Seamer) was tightened for room on jumping away between Rockdale (L. Cassidy) and Notevenow (J. Bowditch), which shifted out. Mystical Knight (T. Treichel) jumped away awkwardly. Hyde Park (A. Pattillo) jumped away very awkwardly and lost ground. Athenas Gift raced wide in the early and middle stages of the event. Leaving the 200m Athenas Gift, Resume and Notevenow all had to be checked to varying degrees when tightened for room by Lucky Omens (M. Cahill), which had initially been taken in by Ashlee’s Jewel (App A. Taylor) and Side To Side (P. Wolfgram), which shifted out and away from Sinful Warrior (B. El-Issa), which was attempting to obtain clear running to the outside of Plain Magic (C. Reith). A short distance later Side To Side had to be steadied when tightened for room between Rockdale and Sinful Warrior, which was taken out by Plain Magic. At a subsequent inquiry App A. Taylor, M. Cahill and C. Reith were all reprimanded for failing to take sufficient measures to ensure their mounts remained on a straight course. Rockdale and Our Nautique (J. Byrne) raced wide throughout.
A post race veterinary examination of Notevenow revealed the colt to be slightly lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer B. Guy will be advised that Notevenow will require a veterinary certificate of fitness before being permitted to race again.


Race 7:

Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (WFA) (Group 2) - 1200m
1st - Swiss Ace; 2nd - Sniper's Bullet; 3rd - Red Element

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair: “It’s good to get the first one out the road. We will see what we can do, if we can keep finding dry tracks. That is going to be the hard thing. He needs a bit of pressure put on him to make him to do his best. If something goes with him he always chases better, I don’t know why. He always just does enough. He was never going to run away from them. There’s a bit of improvement there. Just with a bit of pressure on him you’ll see him improve, but I was happy with the win today. We’ll go to the BTC Cup now and then the 10 000.”

Jockey Ken Pope: “He jumped, got over pretty easy and dropped the bridle for me. He then just travelled a little hard on the bridle because we were going so slow. He probably isn’t used to going that slow. He coasted down the run. Just the way he cantered. He can reel off the sectionals a lot quicker than that, but, with other races in mind, I was happy enough to just slow them up as much as I could. He’s a professional race horse. He dropped the bit when he straightened up. He was waiting for me to tell him when to go. I sort of didn’t worry too much about it until about halfway up the straight. They were sort of struggling to get to him and I thought, well if anything comes from behind then, I will give him a smack. So I gave him a back-hander. He put a couple on them and then he just sort of drops the bridle again, you know. He only does enough. He does what you tell him to do. That is the best part about this horse, you know. He can fight like a tiger when he has to, but he obviously looks after himself.”

Pope was riding under some sufferance, after taking a bit of a battering in a fall earlier in the week.

Ken Pope: “My legs alright. I sprained my ankle. I received deep tissue damage in my shoulder and I corked my thigh ... all on the right side. I’m getting physio on the lot. It’s not too bad. They are going to have an enquiry about the fall – and so they should.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Swiss Ace): 1.60 in to 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Red Element (L. Cassidy) was tightened for room on jumping away between Sniper’s Bullet (M. Cahill) and Teranaba (M. Bell), both of which shifted ground. Black Ink (S. Scriven) was held up for clear running in early stages of the straight. Sniper’s Bullet laid in when placed under pressure in the straight and near the 200m shifted in making contact with Red Element (L. Cassidy). A post race veterinary examination of Black Ink revealed the gelding to be lame in the near-fore leg. Trainer L. Kelly was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required prior to Black Ink racing again.


Race 8:

Class 6 Plate - 1200m
1st - Hodges Street; 2nd - Eire Of Magic; 3rd - Agnes Dream

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin (who completed a double on the day): “He had the good barrier today (the number one draw) so he didn’t have to do any extra work, you know. He was feeling it a little bit at the end, but speed horses can get away with that can’t they. They can get the job done early.”

Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor: “Barry (Baldwin) just said, don’t hunt him out of the gates. Just let him kind of come out and get his breathing right. He just led very easy like he did last time. Just had the same plan as when I won on him two runs ago. The ground is a bit choppy. It didn’t really suit him. He did tire a bit, because it was five weeks between runs. You can’t really hit him with the stick either, so I just waited for the last bit before I even got to him. I got suspended on Wednesday so this is my last ride for about a week-and-a-half, so it was good to get a win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hodges Street): 5.50 steady.
Favourite (Attackum): 3.50 steady. Finished eighth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Unintentional (C. Reith) and Ima Joker (P. Wolfgram) were tightened for room on jumping away between Eire Of Magic (App L. Rolls) and Attackum (L. Cassidy) both of which shifted in. App L. Rolls the rider of Eire Of Magic was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that he permitted his mount to shift in at a point near the 1000m when not sufficiently clear of Costa Complete (Matthew Palmer), resulting in that horse having to be checked when tightened for room between Eire Of Magic and Momentously (A. Pattillo). App L. Rolls' licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings to commence midnight 26 April 2009 and to expire midnight 8 May 2009.
When questioned regarding his riding of Malambo over the final 500m J. Byrne stated that he placed the horse under pressure approaching the home turn and the horse immediately showed a tendency to hang in. J. Byrne added that he then endeavoured to secure clear running closer to the fence however, was unable to place Malambo under full pressure due to the horse's continued tendency to lay in. J. Byrne further added that he was unable to secure clear running over the concluding stages and Malambo went to the line without being fully tested. J. Byrne's explanation was noted.
Eire Of Magic was inclined to shift in under pressure over the concluding stages. Agnes Dream (App Michael Palmer), Slick Sniper (B. Hull) and Leondari On Ice (B. Payne) all raced wide throughout the event.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning licensees:
Reprimands:
Race 1. B. El-Issa - Jockey - Careless riding - AR137(a)
Race 5. B. Evans - App Jockey - Careless riding - AR137(a)
Race 6. A. Taylor - App Jockey - Careless riding - AR137(a)
Race 6. M. Cahill - Jockey - Careless riding - AR137(a)
Race 6. C. Reith - Jockey - Careless riding - AR137(a)
Suspensions:
Race 8. L. Rolls - App Jockey - Careless riding - 7 meetings - AR137(a)

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Gamble Me, Sinful Warrior, Swiss Ace, Tour Guide, Steel Lips, Side To Side, Our Nautique, Hyde Park, She's In The Guide, Resume, Bold Glance, Pulse Maker, Teranaba, Sniper's Bullet, Black Ink, Malambo, Save A Buck, Caprizzi Strip, Man Of Class, Rabbuka, Pioneer Way, Temple Of Boom, Fourmula, Gracesynd, Douraya, Fast Future, Winmara, Go Cart, Friendly Embrace, Red Element.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners plus Fat Possum, Daneomite, Rabbuka, Little Stranger, Pride Of Power, Zar Magic, Sniper's Bullet, Eire Of Magic

Warnings/bars:
Race 2. Sniplaz - Mildly sore both forelegs - Vet Certificate - LR36(b)
Race 2. Pioneer Way - Lame off-fore leg - Vet Certificate - LR36(b)
Race 6. Notevenow - Slightly lame off-fore leg - Vet Certificate - LR36(b)
Race 7. Black Ink - Lame near-fore leg - Vet Certificate - LR36(b)