A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, March 18.
Race 1:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1350m
1st - Stawell Dash; 2nd - Galactic Spirit; 3rd - Razzled
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steven O’dea: “He’s had a little bit of trouble with shin-soreness. Even though he is a four-year-old, he’s had a few problems with shin-soreness. So I’ve had to sort of nurse him along a little bit and space his runs out a bit. That was the reason for the three-and-a-half month break prior to this prep. Today, everything went according to plan. There wasn’t much speed in the race and he was able to box-set. When he let down they couldn’t go with him. We were confident because he struck a bit of trouble in the running last time (when resuming). His last furlong in that race was really good. He made up a lot of ground and not a lot of horses were making ground on that day – the rail was right out at Eagle Farm. So the effort was good first-up and it brought him on for today and the extra ground also helped him.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Stawell Dash): 4.00 in to 3.80 out to 4.60.
Favourite (Galactic Spirit): 3.00 out to 3.20 in to 2,50. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Show Business (L. Cassidy) and Stawell Dash (B. Stewart) made contact on jumping away. Ilala Lad (S. Bayliss) and Mon Beau Cheval (L. Rolls) were slow to begin. All By Myself (A. Pattillo) jumped outwards at the start and bumped Public Image (D. Griffin). Show Business raced wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the performance of All By Myself, A. Pattillo stated that when the pace quickened leaving the 500m, his mount was unable to accelerate and, in his opinion, would be better suited over a longer distance. A post-race veterinary examination of All By Myself revealed the horse to have sustained a minor laceration to the near-side eyelid and had the presence of blood in its mouth.
Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice O. Turpin in regards to the tactics employed on Galactic Spirit in the middle stages. O. Turpin stated that he had been instructed to position the filly in a rearward position from the wide barrier and added that Galactic Spirit travelled comfortably in the early stages. O. Turpin stated that approaching the home turn he was conscious of horses forward of him weakening and therefore elected to move the horse wider and keep it balanced until entering the home straight. O. Turpin further added that he placed the horse under full pressure near the 300m and it closed the race off well. Trainer D. Murphy confirmed the instructions and expressed concerns in regards to O. Turpin's failure to trail Razzled, which was improving forward of him rounding the home turn. Stewards advised apprentice Turpin that although in their opinion he may have erred in his riding of the filly by failing to take up that trailing position behind Razzled, they did not believe that the error of judgement warranted any further action being taken.
Following this event, the track rating was upgraded to Slow 6.
Race 2:
Maiden Plate - 2020m
1st - Hooray Tobey; 2nd - Montaperti; 3rd - Finding Neverland
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Garry Hutchesson (who landed his first winner in town) “As a lot of people have said, she looks like a sprinter, but she just wants to stay all day. That is why the increase in distance was our preferred option. She is a real nice little mare. Very nice ... and as tough as old boots. We pre-trained her here before she went down to race in Sydney, so she’s come full circle. She had a few runs, but wasn’t just quite up to it down there. I’ve been training for about fifteen years at Beaudesert. Just never had one good enough to bring to town before. I won’t get carried away with the result though. I’ll just simmer down and have a think about it. She’ll get further still I think, but we’ll go away and look at our options.”
Jockey Daniel Griffin (who continued his fine form after riding four winners at the Gold Coast last Saturday): “It was a pretty muddled speed early and, approaching the 1000m, horses got out, wanting to get going, and couldn’t. I was instructed to get going and ride her freely from the 600m and track right into it. I switched her out to the outside to give her a run. Gee, she does try. I was really happy with her finish. She looks like she can go further so it was a pretty good effort.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hooray Tobey): 5.00 out to 5.50 in to 4.80.
Favourite (Foreign Lass): 2.50 out to 2.60. Finished fifth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Montaperdi (O. Turpin) was slow to begin. The tiring Biscays Best (B. Stewart) laid in in the home straight. Stewards questioned apprentice B. Evans, rider of Ausbred Icon, in regards to him shifting to a three-wide position near the 900m, which allowed Biscays Best (B. Stewart) to improve forward to his inside. B. Evans stated that Ausbred Icon shifted out under pressure at this stage, thus allowing Biscays Best to improve forward of him and force him wider on the track. B. Evans further added that he was unable to attempt to hold his position at this stage due to his mount tiring. His explanation was noted.
Race 3:
3yo Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Bretonneux; 2nd - Mr Nappy; 3rd - Regal Prince
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Wakefield: “We didn’t really want to give him a run last time (on debut in November), but he was going well and needed to run. He needs to learn. He also just needed to strengthen through the back line there a little bit. We just gave him an old-time prep last time. Plenty of three-quarter work to strengthen the horse up. It strengthened the horse and gave him time to develop. He is very well bred on the dam side and he has certainly given us the impression he is going to be seven furlong / miler horse. We’ve brought him up slow and steady this time. Depending on how he goes, I’d like to aim him for the three-year-old races during the Carnival here. He is a horse with good ability, but he still has to learn to get everything together."
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He only began fair. I got caught wide. I stayed three deep because I didn’t want to drag him back. I thought I’d stay here until I see how it pans out and then I might just be able to slot over. I thought to come back that three-quarters I’d have to be dragging him back and I didn’t want to do that, because then he might want to go harder. So I just waited it out and then I was sort of able to come back a fraction and just slot across. He travelled alright. Then, when we got to the 600m, I thought, we can’t sit back here. I pulled him out and started pushing him around and I thought, OK, we’re coming into it. When I straightened, even though I was four (lengths) off them, I thought, I’ve got you guys. By the 200m I thought, no, I’m going to run third – and it would have been a good third. So, I actually stuck the stick away again and I just roared at him. All of a sudden then he knuckled down and it was a soft win in the end. He’ll learn a lot from that run and he should get that little bit better with every run ... and when he gets over further he’ll be better again.”
Brian Wakefield (speaking to Cassidy): “When I said to you don’t get to the front too early ... you’ve done very well.” Bretonneux only got to the front late in the running - when it mattered most.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Bretonneux): 1.90 out to 2.50.
Favourite (Mr Nappy): 2.90 in to 2.00. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Happy Rhythm (T. Pannell) and Smuggler’s Inn (B. Stewart) were tightened for room on jumping away between Regal Prince (B. Evans), which shifted out, and Carigano (M. Paget), which shifted in after jumping away awkwardly. Carigano over-raced in the early stages. Carigano (M. Paget) had to be steadied near the 300m after attempting to take a run between Bradbury’s World (M. Palmer) and Bretonneux (L. Cassidy) where there was insufficient room. Fubah (D. Brown) and Facebook (A. Taylor) raced wide throughout. Following this event the track rating was upgraded to Dead 5.
Race 4:
CG&E Class 4 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Laurie's Lad; 2nd - Thundershot; 3rd - Larry's Boy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (speaking directly after dismounting): “It was very close. I got him out into a good position – he was just pulling his head off there. Then he let down and sprinted, but he didn’t sprint as good as I thought he would. But he just kept on whacking. He showed a lot of guts.”
Jockey Daniel Griffin, rider of the second placed horse, lodged a protest against the winner so the decision on the outcome of the race moved to the Stewards Room.
Jockey Daniel Griffin (giving the grounds for his objection): “Approaching the corner apprentice Evans (aboard Laurie’s Lad) pushes out on to my mount (Thundershot). Then they separate. Shortly after that, probably going on twenty metres, Evans’ horse, under hard riding, has come out and bumped my horse. I get my horse balanced and then Evans’ horse again comes out and bumps my horse. On three occasions they have made contact where he has come out and met my horse. My horse always struggled to get past, because every-time it would get its feet underneath itself, Evans’ horse would come out and bump it off stride again. Probably at the top of the straight – the first initial bump that he gave after rounding the corner – you can see that he really bumps his hind-quarters out of stride. You can see it had a fair bearing on my horse wanting to let down. Definitely ... considering the margins, it certainly cost us.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (questioning Griffin): “Up the running, at any stage was your horse laying in?”
Daniel Griffin: “No. I believe your horse has come out under hard riding and made contact with my horse.”
Brent Evans (making his statement): “Coming around the turn, as my horse probably has bumped jockey Griffin’s horse at the top of the straight ... I feel that ... after that I feel that jockey Griffin’s horse ... I’m not saying my horse wasn’t running out, but I feel that jockey Griffin’s horse has contributed to the incident too. I feel that, as you look at the head-on, his horse is laying in at different stages up the straight ... and, I mean, even if there was a bump at the top of the straight, I feel I was just as inconvenienced as jockey Griffin’s horse. My horse was finishing better than anything.”
Daniel Griffin (questioning Evans): “At the top of the straight, did you ride your horse out onto mine?”
Brent Evans: “No. There was a run coming. I just went straight for the run at the top of the straight and the run was granted and that was it.
Daniel Griffin: “Did you have to push out on me to obtain that run?”
Brent Evans: “I did not have to push you out to obtain that run.”
Daniel Griffin: “Would you say that your horse, under hard riding from the stick, has rolled out?”
Brent Evans: “At the top of the straight it rolled out. In the run-in it was laying out a tad, but I feel it going mostly straight.”
Eden Petrie, trainer of Thundershot, had no comment.
Trainer Peter Kings (Trainer of Laurie’s Lad): “Yeah, I’d just like to say that he (Griffin) never missed a beat on the second horse. As they turned he did get to the front of the other horse, but my horse just kicked back. But he was just sort of as much to blame as the other one really. He never missed a stride the second horse. I think he might have, more or less, laid in on my horse at the top of the straight. It did get to the lead the second horse, but my horse juts kicked back and was going away from him at the finish.”
The protest was dismissed.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Laurie’s Lad): 15.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite: Larry’s Boy: 1.70 out to 2.20. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by D. Griffin, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Thundershot, against Laurie’s Lad being declared the winner, alleging interference in the home straight. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the patrol films, stewards were of the opinion that near the 200m, Laurie’s Lad, when laying out, shifted out, making contact with Thundershot, however stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that this contact had resulted in the finishing positions of those horses being materially affected, and therefore stewards dismissed the objection.
Jovelon (S. Scriven) was tightened for room on jumping away between Larry’s Boy (T. Treichel) and Laurie’s Lad (B. Evans), both of which shifted ground. Monashee Prince (J. Jones) and Silva Razza (M. Hellyer) made contact on jumping away. Another Speights (D. Craven) commenced to over-race leaving the 900m and had to be steadied from the heels of Jovelon on several occasions until near the 600m where D. Craven, rider of Another Speights, was obliged to shift to a three-wide position. Approaching the 100m, Larry’s Boy (T. Treichel) improved up on to the heels of the tiring Monashee Prince (J. Jones) and was obliged to alter course to obtain clear running.
Race 5:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1110m
1st - Flying Topaze; 2nd - Schianto; 3rd - Once More Brother
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mel Eggleston (for whom Flying Topaze was having his first run): “I’ve had him about a month. The horse came to me fit and ready to run. Kris (Lees) – who had him before - said it would be very hard to beat. It’s been racing in pretty good Maidens down there. He just said it he’s ready to win.”
Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls (in passing to Mel Eggleston): “Lucky I’m a good trainer. He needed that extra work.”
Mel Eggleston (explaining Rolls’ comment): “I knew he’d say that. Luke decided he wanted to work the horse on Tuesday. So I gave him a spray because he gave him too much. Now I’ve got to bite my lip. At least we both got the result we were looking for.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Flying Topaze): 3.00 out to 3.60 in to 3.50.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Travellers Rest (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly and faltered shortly after the start. Cape Silver (D. Griffin) was tightened for room on jumping away between Moonlight Zephyr (R. Goltz) and Once More Brother (K. Yoshida), both of which shifted ground. Leaving the 150m, Flying Topaze (L. Rolls) shifted in, hampering Benny Eggs. Benny Eggs (Mat Palmer) and Bonhomme Richard (A. Pattillo) raced wide throughout.
Race 6:
F&M Class 4 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Moulin Lady; 2nd - Anachelle; 3rd - Western Pacific
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “I’m satisfied with that. First-go in the wet weather. None of them has had as much work – gallops and that - as they should have had. She was bit full of herself beforehand and was a bit big too. I don’t think she will have any problem running a mile. We might have a look at a couple of those Three-Year-Old Fillies races during the Carnival now.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “I thought she would ping and go a lot quicker than she did. I really had to work on her to get there. Once she got there she was just travelling, travelling ... coming around the turn I had double wraps on her. But again she didn’t do as much as I thought she would under hands and heels. It was like she was just a bit lazy. I had to give her one and then she really extended.”
Moulin Lady is lightly raced and was resuming here in her third preparation. Apart from a hiccup on her debut, the filly has done little wrong, scoring three wins (and one minor placing) from five starts.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Moulin Lady): 1.50 out to 1,60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Anachelle (C. McIver), which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin. Western Pacific (M. Hughes) and Moulin Lady (B. Evans) were tightened for room on jumping away between Jacana Belle (O. Turpin) and Jellicles (C. Reith), both of which shifted ground. Shooting Stars (B. Payne) raced ungenerously in the early stages of the event. Western Pacific had a tendency to lay out rounding the home turn and shifted out in the early stages of the straight, resulting in Anachelle having to be steadied of that horse's heels and shift ground to the inside to obtain clear running. Miss Maggie (M. Radecker) raced three wide throughout. Following this event the track rating was upgraded to Dead 4.
Race 7:
Class 5 Handicap - 1615m
1st - Hume; 2nd - Mister Tivoli; 3rd - Eddie Rapido
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “We are still getting to know him. When you get a horse like that from Lloyd-Williams and they have only raced in short distances, you have got to feel your way and to get their minds right you have to ride them in the same fashion.” (Hume’s two wins for Smith have come in the identical fashion – ridden cold and produced for a high-powered finishing effort). “It was a very, very smart effort. I haven’t seen a horse do that in a long time. He’s wanted to go himself, hasn’t he?”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “Yeah, it was almost a carbon copy of his last win, except he was much better today too. The way he began today, he really wanted to race up there. When he jumped I could have went with the other horse and gone over and sat close-up in the first turn. He could have been in the first four – doing it easy. Now we know, if he can draw an alley, he can just be there, you know. But, for this run, we decided to ride the same pattern as his last win. Coming around the bend, it took me awhile. I had to manoeuvre out from the inside to get to the outside. It was only a matter of half-a-dozen strides and then he really got his momentum going. It was a pretty soft win in the end. Because I knew I had them covered, I never really had to go full bore on him.”
Hume is now two from two for trainer Brian Smith since transferring from Victoria.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hume): 3.30 in to 2.90.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Davion (D. Craven) raced wide in the early stages of the event. Dartbolt (B. Evans) stood flatfooted at the start and lost considerable ground. Trainer L. Hatch was advised that he must obtain a barrier certificate for Dartbolt prior to its next race start. Apprentice M. Helyer, rider of Bloody Quick, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that approaching the 1400m he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in, which resulted in Eddie Rapido (J. Bowditch) striking the heels of Bloody Quick and blundering. In this incident, Dartbolt also had to be checked to avoid Eddie Rapido. M. Helyer was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 22 March and to expire at midnight, 4 April. Dartbolt (B. Evans) raced wide from a point near the 800m. Havayarn (Matthew Palmer) raced wide throughout.
R. Wiggins, rider of Fools Rush In, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Davion (D. Craven), resulting in D. Craven, rider of Davion, having to steer that horse to the outside to avoid the heels of Fools Rush In, thus being forced considerably wider on the track. R. Wiggins was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 21 March, and to expire at midnight, 31 March 2009.
Race 8:
Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Chelle's Alibi; 2nd - Sharufa; 3rd - Werockit
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “She’s got a touch of class about her. She is quite versatile. She won over 2020m at the end of her last prep and was doing it just as well here over 1350m. I think she’ll sort of end up getting over ground. She’s just got that bit of quality that helps her sprint early in her preparation. She’s just got stronger every prep. She’s just been a bit of a late developer, but she’s putting a nice little record together now. He (Chris McIver) rode her terrific too. He’s going good.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a half-decent alley. We were midfield. She travelled well ... had a nice trail into the race. I pulled her out and let go. When she let down she found another gear.”
Chelle’s Alibi has now won three times and has finished second three times from nine career starts.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Chelle’s Alibi): 6.50 out to 7.00
Favourite (Sharufa): 2.70 out to 3.00 in to 2.40. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As T. Treichel was to be overweight, apprentice B. Evans was substituted as the rider of Rock Slide as no senior rider was available. T. Treichel was fined $100. Ching Hoi Boy (B. Payne) was tightened for room on jumping away between Raw Nerve (A. Pattillo) and So Different (T. Pannell), both of which shifted ground. Werockit (B. El-Issa) was slow to begin. Base Dancer (D. Craven) raced ungenerously in the early stages and then was obliged to race three wide for the majority of the event. You’re On Merv (J. Bowditch) was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn. Werockit (B. El-Issa) was held up in the straight and unable to secure clear running until leaving the 200m. Stresso (C. Reith) raced wide throughout.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed post race: All winners.
Horses swabbed pre race: Galactic Spirit, Handy Hints, Show Business, Biscays Best, Raw Sienna, Son Of Zaha, Looks Like Deano, Facebook, Fubah, Monashee Prince, Laurie's Lad, Thundershot.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, MAR 15)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, March 15.
Race 1:
Class 2 Handicap - 850m
1st - Krisalo; 2nd - Our Special Star; 3rd - Rapid Tricia
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Thomas: “She is a funny horse. She has never performed well first-up at all. She always works well into her first race, but finishes ordinary. Whereas second or third-up, she is always on the job, you know. She won under a hands and heels ride. Look, she’s got potential. She is a horse who is still a bit immature and she doesn’t train on a great deal. She’s good for about three or four runs. We’ll probably give her another run, maybe in town, and then tip her and bring her back again. I think in her three wins she’s been 16-1, 25-1 and 16-1. Last time we tipped her out she was actually only supposed to be out for a month only for the simple reason that she doesn’t train on. But she was out there two weeks and got a stone bruise and an abscess in her foot, so she was out a long time more than we wanted.”
Jockey Nathan Thomas: “She’s got good second-up form. She probably just needed that first-up run and she drew bad. She was never going to be far away today in the small field. I was always going to get there, but she just took a little bit to pick them up. I was always confident in the run.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hazza Heart (A. Spinks) shifted out at the start and brushed Contested Bid (M. Speers). Near the 500m, Contested Bid (M. Speers), which had a tendency to lay in, shifted in, making contact with Rapid Tricia (M. Palmer), which became unbalanced. M. Speers, rider of Contested Bid, was advised to exercise more care. Our Special Star (M. Hellyer) laid in under pressure from leaving the 400m until near the 50m.
Race 2:
2yo QTIS Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Rocky Habit; 2nd - Spiffing; 3rd - Clancy's Mountain
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair: “He’s a big horse. He’s a lot better than that too, but he is just green and he didn’t handle the track very well. He did control things though. Every-time they looked like they might come up to him Kenny (Pope) just asked him to do a bit more. He is a pretty good horse. A big horse is easier to train because you can do more with him. He’s come straight from being broken in. I’ve never had one do that before – come straight from breaking in to racing. He hasn’t had a spell. It’s unusual. He was ready to race. He was just doing everything right so we gave him his chance and he’s got the win.”
At the other end of the scale, Mair also had a word of warning for those who will be lining up against his Group 1 winner, Swiss Ace, in the Galaxy at Randwick on April 11.
Mair: “Yeah, Swiss Ace is back here at the moment. He’ll go to Sydney for the Galaxy. He’s doing very well. Terrific. He’s doing better than well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
At the request of trainer R. Bradshaw, an inquiry into the late scratching of Tolawha’s Pride at 8.10 am was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Cattlerail (D. Lambias) was slow to begin. Spiffing (B. El-Issa) and Lord Danseur (D. Craven) both began awkwardly. Al Jo (K. Yoshida) and Gumpert (N. Thomas) made contact at the start when both horses shifted ground, and shortly after, Gumpert continued to shift in, further hampering Al Jo. Leaving the 600m, Bellavonane (S. Drake) commenced to race greenly and had to be steadied. Near the 450m, Dudasa (A. Spinks) hung in and shortly after shifted out, inconveniencing Top Messiah (R. Hinricks), which was following. Parlor Pink (N. Yamada) raced greenly in the home straight. Rocky Habit (K. Pope) shifted out when placed under pressure near the 200m. Spiffing, Dudasa (A. Spinks) and Top Messiah (R. Hinricks) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Spiffing lost its off-hind plate in running.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Licence To Steal; 2nd - Orientelle; 3rd - Kenny's Magic
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Pat Duff: “The horse was off for nine months. After her first two starts she was found to have a little chip in her knee – what they call a spur – which had to be surgically removed. The advice of the vets was that we should give her a nice four to six months out. So we just gave her all the time she needed and it’s worked wonders. It was very well ridden. Mandy (Radecker) summed it up. She spoke about it prior to the race. She decided she would just sort of try to sit outside something to keep it from getting over to the fence – get her out on to the better ground. She rode her perfectly, held her up, had a last dash and got away with it.”
Jockey Mandy Radecker: “Coming to the corner I wasn’t worried at all. When I got halfway up the straight ... she is just the sort of horse that gives you a lot of confidence. She is as light as a feather, but she travels strong so things panned out real well. It’s a nice morale booster for me because I’m just getting over a lung infection. I’ve had it for about three or four months and it really hit me hard the last two months. In fact it put me out of action for a month. I’m getting over it now ... slowly. A win always helps.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Circuit City (A. Spinks) and I’m All Yours (A. Badger) both began awkwardly and lost ground as a result. Kerry Road (W. Clasohm) and Licence To Steal (M. Radecker) brushed on jumping away when both horses shifted ground. Near the 800m, Licence To Steal (M. Radecker) became unbalanced and shifted in, crowding the room of Kerry Road, which had to be steadied. Passing the 700m, Mount Magic (M. Palmer) commenced to hang in and had to be steadied. Circuit City (A. Spinks) had a tendency to hang in for the majority of the event. Mount Magic (M. Palmer) and Well Kept Secret (R. Hinricks) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 4:
Class 4 Handicap - 2200m,
1st - Week Nights On; 2nd - Beau Sam; 3rd - Twinkling Star
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Jana Piper (who also rode two winners at the Saturday night): “The trainer left it up to me. He basically said to do whatever I wanted. The horse has got a good turn of foot and he can sprint, but this was his first try at the trip and he struggled a bit at the end. Yeah, I’m still having weight problems (a factor which has plagued Piper for some time). I rode 53.5kg last night which was my lightest. I rode 53.5kg my first week back. But I can’t get under 53.5kg yet. My natural riding weight is 54kg. I’m trying, trying. Hopefully next week I ride 53kg.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Twinkling Star (K. Yoshida), which was slow to begin, was further hampered when tightened for room between Week Nights On (J. Piper), which began awkwardly and shifted in, and Grungle (J. Jones), which shifted out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Worthy Quest, A. Best stated that he was unable to gain cover throughout the running and as a result the horse over- raced for the majority of the event and compounded badly as a result. A post-race veterinary examination of Worthy Quest failed to reveal any significant abnormalities and a swab sample was taken. Following this event, the track rating was upgraded to Slow 6.
Race 5:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1400m
1st - Top Resource; 2nd - Dane Raider; 3rd -Will Impress
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “The other day he got a long way in front and half-bolted. Today he led again, but he just sort of cantered in front. There wasn’t much speed. There was no pressure on him. He (Owen Turpin) rode a winner for me yesterday (Babinda Half). The kid listens to you. I think he will go a long way.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “Last start I rode him over the mile without rings. There, I led them up by about eight lengths, swinging. Today, they decided to put rings on him because he is a horse with a very dead mouth. They also dropped him back in distance today and it worked, you know. He just travelled. He didn’t pull too hard. He was just keen on the bit and he found in the finish. I think he’s got a few more lengths in him still, so I think he is going to improve on that.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Royal Virtue was declared a late scratching at 12.50 pm after the filly was injured en route to the track. Trainer M. Flanigan was advised he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Royal Virtue prior to its next race start. Two Bibbody Bob (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Approaching the 1000m, Maali (D. Browne), which was racing keenly, had to be steadied when momentarily crowded by Wind Zipper (A. Pattillo), which shifted in. In this incident, Maali shifted out, forcing Kinda Modern (J. Piper) wider. Maali then commenced to over-race for a short distance. Near the 450m, Dane Raider (N. Thomas) commenced to hang in under pressure, proving difficult to ride out. Top Resource (O. Turpin) shifted out under pressure near the finish line, forcing Dane Raider wider. Will Impress (M. Radecker) and Kinda Modern (J. Piper) both raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 6:
Class 6 Plate - 1200m
1st - Sleepy Jackson; 2nd - Flying Squaw; 3rd - Chaufuhr
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He’s won six out of twelve now. You can’t argue with a fifty percent strike-rate. It would be nice to have a stable full of them. He had no luck in town the other day. You know, everybody says, oh well he wins up there (at the Sunshine Coast), but not in town. Well I’m convinced he is good enough to win in town. As he showed here, he’s looking for1200m now. We rode him like he was the best horse in the race. I said the Owen (Turpin), don’t let them head you ... I don’t care who they are. They weren’t going to come from behind and beat him, so we had to dictate things.”
This result gave apprentice jockey Owen Turpin a double on the day to extend his lead at the top of the Sunshine Coast Jockeys Premiership table.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Semi Wells (J. Brown) began very awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, almost dislodging its rider, and after losing considerable ground, took no part in the race. After hearing submissions from trainer N. Hocking and apprentice rider J. Brown, and taking into account the horse's unblemished record, Mr Hocking was advised that he would be required to produce a further barrier certificate for Semi Wells before the gelding is permitted to race again. Flying Squaw (A. Badger) began awkwardly. Lunch At Friscos (L. Rolls) raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Zsazsa; 2nd - Winxaarheart; 3rd - Spanglish
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “I thought I’d be on the paint just inside Kenny Pope (Aboard Karalius), but I really didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be outside him and have him on the paint going through where it was a bit wet. But he ended up in front of me, and he was doing the hard work too on the inside, so I was happy, and the grey horse (Samsoon) took him on and put a nice bit of speed into the race. I just got held up at the top of the straight but, when I pulled him out, he flew. I’ve had three rides on him for two wins and a second. His wet form is not outstanding, but he is good enough in it. I mean last time in heavy going he’s run sixth or seventh, but he was only beaten by less than length (by Sinful Warrior at the Gold Coast).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (K. Yoshida) began awkwardly. Samsoon (O. Turpin) and Winxaarheart (E. Wilkinson) brushed on jumping away. Approaching the 400m, Zsazsa (B. Evans) improved onto the heels of Samsoon (O. Turpin) and had to be steadied, and then shifted out to obtain clear running.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Fulham; 2nd - Banana Split; 3rd -Classic Victor
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “I don’t think anybody else (other than Scriven) would have won on him. It was a big jump for him – 1200m to a mile – and a lot of weight. It was a big effort. The horse has got a lot of ability, but he’s green as grass. That’s why we wanted Shane (Scriven) to ride him because I really don’t think anybody else would have won on him today. The gap sort of half closed there so the horse needed all of the help he could get. That’s only his fifth race start. He is just so green, but once he has had this preparation and a bit of time to mature into himself, I might take those blinkers off next campaign so he can see a bit more. Yeah, but that’s why he (Scriven) is here for the ride. He is the best in the business. It’s just a shame you can’t have him on at 54kg.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “I went for a gap which sort of half-closed on me. The inside horse was drifting out a little bit. My horse took a bit of winding up, you know, but once he got into full bore it was a good win. He is lightly raced and he is still learning. He’s a bit of a dummy really, but he will get better with racing – and probably a little bit further too. It made the trip worthwhile, thankfully.” (Fulham was Scriven’s only ride for the day).
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards adjourned an inquiry to a date to be fixed into the reason for the late scratching of Spiritp Gentil (Trainer D. Murphy) at 7.53 am. Mr C. Morphy, trainer of Banana Split, reported to stewards that the gelding had removed its two front glue-on shoes and was unable to have them replaced. As a result, stewards granted Mr Morphy permission to race the horse in standard race plates. An announcement to this effect was made by the on-course announcer. Trainer Mr C. Morphy was fined $100 for presenting Banana Split to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Bellamour was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon at the barriers and found to be lame in the near foreleg. Bellamour was declared a late scratching at 4.47 pm .Trainer T. Miller was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Bellamour prior to its next race start. Fulham (S. Scriven) and So Long (N. Thomas) were both slow to begin. Count Ivor (C. Kearney) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 400m, Fulham (S. Scriven) shifted out, making contact with Raining Kings (E. Wilkinson). Near the 200m, Fulham (S. Scriven) was momentarily tightened for room between Banana Split and Don’t Back Down (B. Thomson), both of which shifted ground. Approaching the finishing line, Fulham shifted out under pressure, resulting in Banana Split having to be steadied to avoid that horse's heels. S. Scriven, rider of Fulham, was advised to exercise more care. Slepner (M. Hughes) laid out under pressure in the straight, resulting in Lee Kova (O. Turpin) being taken wider on the track. Raining Kings (E. Wilkinson) and Slepner (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre race:
Bay Lady Pay, Worthy Quest, Twinkling Star, Fulham, Banana Split, Raining Kings.
Horses swabbed post race:
All winners, Our Special Star, Worthy Quest, Dane Ripper.
Race 1:
Class 2 Handicap - 850m
1st - Krisalo; 2nd - Our Special Star; 3rd - Rapid Tricia
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Thomas: “She is a funny horse. She has never performed well first-up at all. She always works well into her first race, but finishes ordinary. Whereas second or third-up, she is always on the job, you know. She won under a hands and heels ride. Look, she’s got potential. She is a horse who is still a bit immature and she doesn’t train on a great deal. She’s good for about three or four runs. We’ll probably give her another run, maybe in town, and then tip her and bring her back again. I think in her three wins she’s been 16-1, 25-1 and 16-1. Last time we tipped her out she was actually only supposed to be out for a month only for the simple reason that she doesn’t train on. But she was out there two weeks and got a stone bruise and an abscess in her foot, so she was out a long time more than we wanted.”
Jockey Nathan Thomas: “She’s got good second-up form. She probably just needed that first-up run and she drew bad. She was never going to be far away today in the small field. I was always going to get there, but she just took a little bit to pick them up. I was always confident in the run.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hazza Heart (A. Spinks) shifted out at the start and brushed Contested Bid (M. Speers). Near the 500m, Contested Bid (M. Speers), which had a tendency to lay in, shifted in, making contact with Rapid Tricia (M. Palmer), which became unbalanced. M. Speers, rider of Contested Bid, was advised to exercise more care. Our Special Star (M. Hellyer) laid in under pressure from leaving the 400m until near the 50m.
Race 2:
2yo QTIS Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Rocky Habit; 2nd - Spiffing; 3rd - Clancy's Mountain
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair: “He’s a big horse. He’s a lot better than that too, but he is just green and he didn’t handle the track very well. He did control things though. Every-time they looked like they might come up to him Kenny (Pope) just asked him to do a bit more. He is a pretty good horse. A big horse is easier to train because you can do more with him. He’s come straight from being broken in. I’ve never had one do that before – come straight from breaking in to racing. He hasn’t had a spell. It’s unusual. He was ready to race. He was just doing everything right so we gave him his chance and he’s got the win.”
At the other end of the scale, Mair also had a word of warning for those who will be lining up against his Group 1 winner, Swiss Ace, in the Galaxy at Randwick on April 11.
Mair: “Yeah, Swiss Ace is back here at the moment. He’ll go to Sydney for the Galaxy. He’s doing very well. Terrific. He’s doing better than well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
At the request of trainer R. Bradshaw, an inquiry into the late scratching of Tolawha’s Pride at 8.10 am was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Cattlerail (D. Lambias) was slow to begin. Spiffing (B. El-Issa) and Lord Danseur (D. Craven) both began awkwardly. Al Jo (K. Yoshida) and Gumpert (N. Thomas) made contact at the start when both horses shifted ground, and shortly after, Gumpert continued to shift in, further hampering Al Jo. Leaving the 600m, Bellavonane (S. Drake) commenced to race greenly and had to be steadied. Near the 450m, Dudasa (A. Spinks) hung in and shortly after shifted out, inconveniencing Top Messiah (R. Hinricks), which was following. Parlor Pink (N. Yamada) raced greenly in the home straight. Rocky Habit (K. Pope) shifted out when placed under pressure near the 200m. Spiffing, Dudasa (A. Spinks) and Top Messiah (R. Hinricks) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Spiffing lost its off-hind plate in running.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Licence To Steal; 2nd - Orientelle; 3rd - Kenny's Magic
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Pat Duff: “The horse was off for nine months. After her first two starts she was found to have a little chip in her knee – what they call a spur – which had to be surgically removed. The advice of the vets was that we should give her a nice four to six months out. So we just gave her all the time she needed and it’s worked wonders. It was very well ridden. Mandy (Radecker) summed it up. She spoke about it prior to the race. She decided she would just sort of try to sit outside something to keep it from getting over to the fence – get her out on to the better ground. She rode her perfectly, held her up, had a last dash and got away with it.”
Jockey Mandy Radecker: “Coming to the corner I wasn’t worried at all. When I got halfway up the straight ... she is just the sort of horse that gives you a lot of confidence. She is as light as a feather, but she travels strong so things panned out real well. It’s a nice morale booster for me because I’m just getting over a lung infection. I’ve had it for about three or four months and it really hit me hard the last two months. In fact it put me out of action for a month. I’m getting over it now ... slowly. A win always helps.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Circuit City (A. Spinks) and I’m All Yours (A. Badger) both began awkwardly and lost ground as a result. Kerry Road (W. Clasohm) and Licence To Steal (M. Radecker) brushed on jumping away when both horses shifted ground. Near the 800m, Licence To Steal (M. Radecker) became unbalanced and shifted in, crowding the room of Kerry Road, which had to be steadied. Passing the 700m, Mount Magic (M. Palmer) commenced to hang in and had to be steadied. Circuit City (A. Spinks) had a tendency to hang in for the majority of the event. Mount Magic (M. Palmer) and Well Kept Secret (R. Hinricks) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 4:
Class 4 Handicap - 2200m,
1st - Week Nights On; 2nd - Beau Sam; 3rd - Twinkling Star
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Jana Piper (who also rode two winners at the Saturday night): “The trainer left it up to me. He basically said to do whatever I wanted. The horse has got a good turn of foot and he can sprint, but this was his first try at the trip and he struggled a bit at the end. Yeah, I’m still having weight problems (a factor which has plagued Piper for some time). I rode 53.5kg last night which was my lightest. I rode 53.5kg my first week back. But I can’t get under 53.5kg yet. My natural riding weight is 54kg. I’m trying, trying. Hopefully next week I ride 53kg.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Twinkling Star (K. Yoshida), which was slow to begin, was further hampered when tightened for room between Week Nights On (J. Piper), which began awkwardly and shifted in, and Grungle (J. Jones), which shifted out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Worthy Quest, A. Best stated that he was unable to gain cover throughout the running and as a result the horse over- raced for the majority of the event and compounded badly as a result. A post-race veterinary examination of Worthy Quest failed to reveal any significant abnormalities and a swab sample was taken. Following this event, the track rating was upgraded to Slow 6.
Race 5:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1400m
1st - Top Resource; 2nd - Dane Raider; 3rd -Will Impress
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “The other day he got a long way in front and half-bolted. Today he led again, but he just sort of cantered in front. There wasn’t much speed. There was no pressure on him. He (Owen Turpin) rode a winner for me yesterday (Babinda Half). The kid listens to you. I think he will go a long way.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “Last start I rode him over the mile without rings. There, I led them up by about eight lengths, swinging. Today, they decided to put rings on him because he is a horse with a very dead mouth. They also dropped him back in distance today and it worked, you know. He just travelled. He didn’t pull too hard. He was just keen on the bit and he found in the finish. I think he’s got a few more lengths in him still, so I think he is going to improve on that.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Royal Virtue was declared a late scratching at 12.50 pm after the filly was injured en route to the track. Trainer M. Flanigan was advised he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Royal Virtue prior to its next race start. Two Bibbody Bob (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Approaching the 1000m, Maali (D. Browne), which was racing keenly, had to be steadied when momentarily crowded by Wind Zipper (A. Pattillo), which shifted in. In this incident, Maali shifted out, forcing Kinda Modern (J. Piper) wider. Maali then commenced to over-race for a short distance. Near the 450m, Dane Raider (N. Thomas) commenced to hang in under pressure, proving difficult to ride out. Top Resource (O. Turpin) shifted out under pressure near the finish line, forcing Dane Raider wider. Will Impress (M. Radecker) and Kinda Modern (J. Piper) both raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 6:
Class 6 Plate - 1200m
1st - Sleepy Jackson; 2nd - Flying Squaw; 3rd - Chaufuhr
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He’s won six out of twelve now. You can’t argue with a fifty percent strike-rate. It would be nice to have a stable full of them. He had no luck in town the other day. You know, everybody says, oh well he wins up there (at the Sunshine Coast), but not in town. Well I’m convinced he is good enough to win in town. As he showed here, he’s looking for1200m now. We rode him like he was the best horse in the race. I said the Owen (Turpin), don’t let them head you ... I don’t care who they are. They weren’t going to come from behind and beat him, so we had to dictate things.”
This result gave apprentice jockey Owen Turpin a double on the day to extend his lead at the top of the Sunshine Coast Jockeys Premiership table.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Semi Wells (J. Brown) began very awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, almost dislodging its rider, and after losing considerable ground, took no part in the race. After hearing submissions from trainer N. Hocking and apprentice rider J. Brown, and taking into account the horse's unblemished record, Mr Hocking was advised that he would be required to produce a further barrier certificate for Semi Wells before the gelding is permitted to race again. Flying Squaw (A. Badger) began awkwardly. Lunch At Friscos (L. Rolls) raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Zsazsa; 2nd - Winxaarheart; 3rd - Spanglish
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “I thought I’d be on the paint just inside Kenny Pope (Aboard Karalius), but I really didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be outside him and have him on the paint going through where it was a bit wet. But he ended up in front of me, and he was doing the hard work too on the inside, so I was happy, and the grey horse (Samsoon) took him on and put a nice bit of speed into the race. I just got held up at the top of the straight but, when I pulled him out, he flew. I’ve had three rides on him for two wins and a second. His wet form is not outstanding, but he is good enough in it. I mean last time in heavy going he’s run sixth or seventh, but he was only beaten by less than length (by Sinful Warrior at the Gold Coast).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (K. Yoshida) began awkwardly. Samsoon (O. Turpin) and Winxaarheart (E. Wilkinson) brushed on jumping away. Approaching the 400m, Zsazsa (B. Evans) improved onto the heels of Samsoon (O. Turpin) and had to be steadied, and then shifted out to obtain clear running.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Fulham; 2nd - Banana Split; 3rd -Classic Victor
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “I don’t think anybody else (other than Scriven) would have won on him. It was a big jump for him – 1200m to a mile – and a lot of weight. It was a big effort. The horse has got a lot of ability, but he’s green as grass. That’s why we wanted Shane (Scriven) to ride him because I really don’t think anybody else would have won on him today. The gap sort of half closed there so the horse needed all of the help he could get. That’s only his fifth race start. He is just so green, but once he has had this preparation and a bit of time to mature into himself, I might take those blinkers off next campaign so he can see a bit more. Yeah, but that’s why he (Scriven) is here for the ride. He is the best in the business. It’s just a shame you can’t have him on at 54kg.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “I went for a gap which sort of half-closed on me. The inside horse was drifting out a little bit. My horse took a bit of winding up, you know, but once he got into full bore it was a good win. He is lightly raced and he is still learning. He’s a bit of a dummy really, but he will get better with racing – and probably a little bit further too. It made the trip worthwhile, thankfully.” (Fulham was Scriven’s only ride for the day).
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards adjourned an inquiry to a date to be fixed into the reason for the late scratching of Spiritp Gentil (Trainer D. Murphy) at 7.53 am. Mr C. Morphy, trainer of Banana Split, reported to stewards that the gelding had removed its two front glue-on shoes and was unable to have them replaced. As a result, stewards granted Mr Morphy permission to race the horse in standard race plates. An announcement to this effect was made by the on-course announcer. Trainer Mr C. Morphy was fined $100 for presenting Banana Split to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Bellamour was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon at the barriers and found to be lame in the near foreleg. Bellamour was declared a late scratching at 4.47 pm .Trainer T. Miller was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Bellamour prior to its next race start. Fulham (S. Scriven) and So Long (N. Thomas) were both slow to begin. Count Ivor (C. Kearney) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 400m, Fulham (S. Scriven) shifted out, making contact with Raining Kings (E. Wilkinson). Near the 200m, Fulham (S. Scriven) was momentarily tightened for room between Banana Split and Don’t Back Down (B. Thomson), both of which shifted ground. Approaching the finishing line, Fulham shifted out under pressure, resulting in Banana Split having to be steadied to avoid that horse's heels. S. Scriven, rider of Fulham, was advised to exercise more care. Slepner (M. Hughes) laid out under pressure in the straight, resulting in Lee Kova (O. Turpin) being taken wider on the track. Raining Kings (E. Wilkinson) and Slepner (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre race:
Bay Lady Pay, Worthy Quest, Twinkling Star, Fulham, Banana Split, Raining Kings.
Horses swabbed post race:
All winners, Our Special Star, Worthy Quest, Dane Ripper.
Monday, March 16, 2009
DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, MAR 14)
A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, March 14.
Race 1:
Open Handicap - 2100m.
1st - Take the Plea; 2nd - Angelo Minny; 3rd - Encosta Tszyo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Wallace: “I told him (Owen Turpin) to put the pressure on. I said if they are walking, put it on. I just gave him a helping hand. I said to him just use your own brains ... and he rode him beautiful. He does ride very well. I knew the horse would stay and he can handle the wet, so I had no worries about that.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “Mr Wallace said come out and see where you are, and from the 800m just ask him a little bit, you know, without rolling. The pace slackened and my horse is a one-pacer so I had to let him go. He finished off really well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hopeson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Angelo Minny (A.Patillo) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 1700m, Fort ‘N’ Won commenced to over-race and was obliged to shift out off the heels of Winmara (K. Pope). Fort ‘N’ Won then raced three wide until entering the back straight.
Stewards sought an explanation from jockey K. Pope regarding the performance of Winmara. K. Pope stated that the slow pace of the race during the middle stages was to the detriment of his mount's chances, and that when the pace quickened from the 800m, Winmara was left flatfooted and only finished the race off fairly. The explanation was noted.
Race 2:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1010m.
1st - Manhattan Angel; 2nd - Emma's Heart; 3rd - Bevagna
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “After last week (where Manhattan Angle ran third to Sweepstaking), we were going to run her in a fortnight, then tip her out. There is a 1300m race next week. But then we decided we might back her up. The plan was, if we drew inside barrier eight we’d run here. We drew the one and decided to go with it. She’ll have a couple of weeks off now.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “She’s lovely horse. From the first day Kelly (Schweida) put me on her, we didn’t really know what we had. But she is just such a professional, you know. She does everything right, just like a six-year-old. She ran into a smart one (Sweepstaking – who is unbeaten in two starts) the last couple. Today it looked a harder race with many chances. From the one alley we were able to give her the run of the race. The one barrier meant everything to her in the context of the race. She just keeps improving that little bit each start. She’ll go out now for a spell and get ready for later. She’ll be good to mark down as a three-year-old. She is just a beautiful animal.”
Emma’s Heart, who finished second, has had a bit wrap on her and her quest to earn a place in the Golden Slipper line-up. She was a beaten favourite first-time out and finished second here after finding some traffic problems in the running.
Trainer Bruce Brown (trainer of Emma’s Heart): She was ridden back today. That’s how she should have been ridden first-up. She would have won. They went too hard in front last time.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly (rider of Emma’s Heart): “The horse inside me just kept coming out and bumped me a bit, which didn’t help. We wanted to ride her quieter today and she obviously appreciated that.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Arcup (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with the hind quarters of Manhatten Angel (S. Scriven). Falvelina (K. Banks) jumped in the air as the start was effected. Both Swiss Rose (B. Stewart) and Duel Show (J. Bowditch) were both a little slow to begin. Near the 700m, Take Cover (C. Reith) had to be checked when tightened for room between Arcup (C. McIver), which shifted out off the heels of Manhatten Angel (S. Scriven) and Swiss Rose (B. Stewart), which was taken in by Brujita (J. Brown). Whilst stewards acknowledged the minor shift from Arcup, J. Brown was nevertheless reprimanded and advised to ensure she is fully clear when shifting ground in future. Emma’s Heart (B. Pengelly) was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight, and near the 200m was impeded when attempting to take a run between the tiring Falvelina and Bevagna (K. Pope), which shifted out when racing greenly. Swiss Rose (B. Stewart), which was unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the straight, shifted out leaving the 200m and in doing so hampered the tiring Two Lipsticks (M. Palmer). Two Lipsticks, Brujita (J. Brown) and Our Mascato (L. Cassidy) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Stewards questioned jockey K. Banks in regards to the performance of Falvelina. K. Banks stated that the filly did not travel comfortably during running and when asked for an effort in the early stages of the straight, Falvelina did not stretch out and weakened over the concluding stages. K. Banks added that in her opinion, the filly failed to handle the rain affected track conditions.
Race 3:
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1615m.
1st - Spirto Gentil; 2nd - Macedon; 3rd - Bold Glance
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “We got the horse from the David Hayes stable. I’ve had him six runs now. He’s very green. He’s still learning a lot. We’ve had the blinkers on for a couple of runs. Before that he was a bit shy and carrying on. He should have won both of those last two (when finishing second). It was unbelievable. He is a funny horse. He won’t race inside horses so, until he learns how to race properly, you sort have got to ride him that way so that he come around them and stretch out. So we are riding him to his strength at the moment.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “There was genuine speed up front which probably assisted our efforts. I said to Dave (Murphy) his last twenty yards were his best and that’s what has won him the race. I sure Dave will keep him in his class. He’s a nice horse but not a world-beater.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards acceded to a request from trainer L. Birchley to have the slow track ban lifted on Sirena Ligera. Golden Balls was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon prior to this race and cleared to start. Satula (K. Forrester) was slow to begin. Star Of Ombra (L. Cassidy) raced wide in the early stages. Near the 1200m, Hearty Laughter (M. Palmer) improved up on to the heels of Sirena Ligera (C. McIver) and had to be steadied. Sir Reason (O. Turpin), which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. Master Of War (G. Baker) and Macedon (R. Wiggins) raced wide for the majority of the event. Satula (K. Forrester) was held up and unable to improve round the home turn and in the early stages of the straight. Sirena Ligera lost its near fore plate in the running.
Race 4:
4yo and Up Class 6 Handicap - 1615m.
1st - Montoux; 2nd - Humma; 3rd - Bann Ruby
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Noel Doyle (who has not been at the track for either of Montoux’s last two city wins): “Oh, they’ve barred me from the track now. She gets the result when I’m not there. Bobby (El-Issa) seems to have just gelled with her. Last time when she ran fourth, he made a little bit too much use of her. He knew it wasn’t one of his best rides, but the horse does go well for him. He won on her the run before that. She drew the two alley again this time (the same alley as in her previous win) and Bobby rode the perfect race. This preparation has probably been her best. She has always shown a lot of ability, but, when she came to me from Melbourne, being my Montjeu, they all believed that she wanted 2100 ... 2200m. But that was not the case. She is only a light little filly ... oh well she’s a mare now ... and I sort of had to feel my way with her. Then I came to the conclusion, yeah well maybe over 1800m, but around a mile – 1600m, 1700m – she is very good. So next time she wins you’ll have to talk to me afterwards as well. They told me I’m barred now. I’m not allowed near her on raceday.”
Jockey Bobby El-Issa: “Last start she was a bit unlucky. I was sort of left in front a long way out. We won the race before that. Noel (Doyle) has got her going well. She likes the sting out of the ground. I think the key is just to show here a bit of TLC. She likes to pull in the race. You just have to talk to her and get her to relax. She won well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Simplex was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 11.35am after the gelding was injured in its float en route to the course. Rabbit Nagina (D. Coleman) was slow to begin. Shew Stone (R. Wiggins) commenced to over-race shortly after entering the back straight and near the 1000m had to be restrained from the heels of Seen’Em Comin’ (L. Cassidy). Near the finish line Punch Up (B. Stewart) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Bann Ruby (S. Scriven), which shifted in slightly.
Stewards questioned D. Coleman regarding the performance of Rabbit Nagina. D. Coleman stated that the horse was slow to begin and was reluctant to stretch out throughout the event. He added that when he placed the horse under pressure in the early stages of the straight, it commenced to hang in quite badly and did not finish the race off as expected. Trainer G. Yorke expressed his disappointment in the performance and could only offer the rain-effected track as an explanation for the poor performance. He undertook to report back to stewards any abnormality that may become apparent with the horse in the days following the race. A post-race veterinary examination of Rabitt Nagina failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Stewards sought an explanation from trainer Mr K. Kemp regarding the performance of Malela today. Mr Kemp stated that jockey Pengelly advised him that Malela felt short in its action. Mr Kemp stated that the horse had worked well leading up to today's event and was very disappointed with its performance. Mr Kemp further stated that he would send Malela for an immediate spell. Mr Kemp undertook to inform stewards of any abnormality that becomes apparent that may have had a bearing on the performance of Malela. A post-race veterinary examination of Malela failed to reveal any abnormalities.
A post-race veterinary examination of Bann Ruby failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 5:
CG&E Class 6 Handicap - 1350m.
1st - Come Said The Boy; 2nd - Kyros; 3rd - Feelin Dandy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan (Jnr): “It’s another El Moxie – now you can see why I like the breed. That’s my first winner on a Saturday in town, so it’s good to finally break the duck. I’ve run a few places, so that’s good. When the rain came I wasn’t that confident. He hasn’t handled a wet track at all in the past so I was really worried with the track being wet. It was an excellent ride. A beautiful ride ... the ride won the race for sure. It is very hard for a three-year-old to beat older horses, particularly under that sort of pressure on this going. I think you will find, hopefully, he will be a better horse back on top of the ground.”
The win gave jockey Bobby El-Issa a race-to-race double on the day.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when the front gates of Hike’s stall opened prematurely. Hike (A. Spinks), Onion (R. Wiggins) and Five Ways (C. McIver) were all slow to begin. Come Said the Boy (B. El-Issa) over-raced during the middle stages. Near the 800m, Oscar Osetetch (S. Galloway) improved up on to the heels of Five Ways (C. McIver) and had to be steadied. Approaching the 300m, Hike (A. Spinks) was obliged to shift considerable ground wider on the track in order to obtain clear running. Near the 200m, Mr Doyle (M. Palmer) was momentarily impeded when tightened for room between More Than Regal (B. Evans) and Five Ways (C. McIver), both of which shifted ground. More Than Regal (B. Evans) and Five Ways (C. McIver) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 6:
F&M Class 6 Handicap - 1350m.
1st - Cool Edition; 2nd - Michelle Cafea; 3rd - Kentish Rose
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “I did say to him to ride it cold, but I didn’t think it would be that cold. I thought she’d just got no hope where she was. She not a bad filly this, and you can go further with her up to a mile. A mile will suit her better. We set this race for her. This was the race when she came back in that we targeted. A fillies and mares, Class 6, Saturday class race is her go. It’s been the race we’ve been looking at. Experience in the saddle counted here. He (Larry Cassidy) might not have been panicking, but I was.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “She blew the start and then she didn’t want to go at all. That was actually very similar to her first start this prep. Then in the second start when I got beaten, she was a different horse. She bounced and got onto the bridle. She was focussed. Today she wasn’t focussed, you know. It’s like there is two of them. Both of them are very good – but one of them can give you a heart attack!
“After blowing the start I thought, well we are back here now. There is no use panicking. She would not go at all early. She just didn’t want to take part. I guess we must have gone about three hundred metres before I finally got her to get on the bit and travel a little bit. I straight away thought, well, I know we are going to finish the race off, but whether we’d given them too much start of not was another thing. I wasn’t sure I’d won. I was that far out(on the track).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Following the downgrading of the track to Slow 7, stewards acceded to a request from trainer R. Heathcote to scratch Crosswise from this event. Crosswise was declared a late scratching at 12.15pm, and the gelding now will incur a slow track bar. Cool Edition (L. Cassidy) and Savanna La Mar (C.McIver) were slow to begin. Kentish Rose (M Palmer) raced ungenerously in the early stages. Savanna La Mar raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice Michael Palmer in regards to the tactics employed on Fasliyev Dancer today. Apprentice Palmer stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position and he endeavoured to do so in the early stages, however a short distance after the start he was of the opinion he was going to be trapped three wide and therefore chose to cease his urgings in an endeavour to establish a position closer to the running rail. He added that shortly after, several runners from his outside proceeded forward of him, which resulted in him settling in a rearward position. Stewards recorded apprentice Palmer's explanation, however advised him that he may have erred by ceasing in his endeavours to obtain a forward position as early as he had on this occasion when he was in receipt of explicit instructions to obtain a forward position.
B. El-Issa, rider of Taj Paru was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 1200m when insufficiently clear of Fasliyev Dancer (Michael Palmer), resulting in that horse having to be steadied. Fasliyev Dancer then commenced to over-race and did so until near the 800m.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1010m.
1st - Babinda Half; 2nd - Simplest; 3rd - Sequallan
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “He hasn’t been ridden right before this. I told him (Owen Turpin) to ride hi m aggressively. He does what he’s told. That’s what I like about him - and that’s the result. I had the horse originally and then lost him when he was sold and went to Gai Waterhouse. It was very disappointing at the time, but we are on the bit now. He ended up going to four or five different trainers. They couldn’t get him going. I was the last resort. The syndicate that bought him, they pulled out during EI. They thought the horse was finished and wouldn’t come back. I sort of begged and pleaded with them, but, no, they put the white flag up. The rest is history. So now it’s owned by R. Bradshaw and P Lawrence.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin (who completed a double on the day): “The trainer said I should be aggressive on him and keep letting him roll along. He said that I mustn’t hold him up. It was my first feel of him today and he is just a pure speed horse and you just got to let him do what he does best.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Felixtrinidad had to be resaddled prior to the running of this race. Near the 600m, Ra Sun (Ma. Palmer) had to be steadied when crowded for room by Heart (B. Evans), which was taken in Sequallan (J. Brown), which was receiving pressure from Simplest (L. Cassidy). L. Cassidy, rider of Simplest, was advised to exercise more care and afford his fellow riders sufficient racing room in future. Passing the 400m, Ra Sun had to be checked when tightened for room by Heart (B. Evans), which was racing tight to the inside of Sequallan (J. Brown), which was also racing in restricted room to the inside of Simplest. In all the circumstances, stewards took no direct action, however, advised all jockeys of their obligations to afford their fellow riders sufficient racing room. Mr Aristos (M. Hughes) shifted out under pressure in the home straight, resulting in Sectagonal (L. Rolls) having to alter course to the inside of that horse's heels near the 200m.
J. Bowditch, rider of Felixtrinidad was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of How Good Is He (A. Spinks), resulting in A. Spinks, rider of How Good Is He, having to take a hold of his mount to avoid the heels of Felixtrinidad. J. Bowditch was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 18 March, and to expire at midnight, 29 March 2009.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1200m.
1st - Eire of Magic; 2nd - Equates; 3rd - Overanxious
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Matthew Palmer: “Yeah, he settled pretty well. We had an alright run throughout and it was just basically a matter of getting in daylight because I know what he is capable of. My only association with the horse prior to this was in his previous start. As I said to David then, where-ever he goes. I want to ride him again. He’s got a big motor and good acceleration. He does do a few things wrong. He can want to hang quite badly. Through the run it’s not too bad. Once he sort of hits the front and there is no other horse around him, that’s about his only quirk. He becomes quite lazy then and not fully focussed and therefore is inclined to hang. There’s is no doubt about his ability which is what I really like most about him, and if he really goes straight he’ll be so much the better for it. It’s just a question of finding the right race for him and he’ll put a few more together I think.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prayer Chamber had to resaddled prior to the running of this race. Equates (L. Rolls) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with Paris Boy (R.Wiggins), which in turn shifted out and bumped De Business (S.Galloway). Fasdehere (R. Goltz) was tightened for room on jumping away between Eire Of Magic (M. Palmer) and On Bail (D. Craven), both of which shifted ground. Fasdehere raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Eire Of Magic (M. Palmer) shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. Overanxious (B. El-Issa) laid in under pressure in the straight. Overanxious (B. El-Issa), Prayer Chamber (K. Forrester) and De Business (S. Galloway) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners plus Humma, Angelo Minny, Emma's Heart and Michelle Cafea.
Race 1:
Open Handicap - 2100m.
1st - Take the Plea; 2nd - Angelo Minny; 3rd - Encosta Tszyo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Wallace: “I told him (Owen Turpin) to put the pressure on. I said if they are walking, put it on. I just gave him a helping hand. I said to him just use your own brains ... and he rode him beautiful. He does ride very well. I knew the horse would stay and he can handle the wet, so I had no worries about that.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “Mr Wallace said come out and see where you are, and from the 800m just ask him a little bit, you know, without rolling. The pace slackened and my horse is a one-pacer so I had to let him go. He finished off really well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hopeson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Angelo Minny (A.Patillo) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 1700m, Fort ‘N’ Won commenced to over-race and was obliged to shift out off the heels of Winmara (K. Pope). Fort ‘N’ Won then raced three wide until entering the back straight.
Stewards sought an explanation from jockey K. Pope regarding the performance of Winmara. K. Pope stated that the slow pace of the race during the middle stages was to the detriment of his mount's chances, and that when the pace quickened from the 800m, Winmara was left flatfooted and only finished the race off fairly. The explanation was noted.
Race 2:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1010m.
1st - Manhattan Angel; 2nd - Emma's Heart; 3rd - Bevagna
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “After last week (where Manhattan Angle ran third to Sweepstaking), we were going to run her in a fortnight, then tip her out. There is a 1300m race next week. But then we decided we might back her up. The plan was, if we drew inside barrier eight we’d run here. We drew the one and decided to go with it. She’ll have a couple of weeks off now.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “She’s lovely horse. From the first day Kelly (Schweida) put me on her, we didn’t really know what we had. But she is just such a professional, you know. She does everything right, just like a six-year-old. She ran into a smart one (Sweepstaking – who is unbeaten in two starts) the last couple. Today it looked a harder race with many chances. From the one alley we were able to give her the run of the race. The one barrier meant everything to her in the context of the race. She just keeps improving that little bit each start. She’ll go out now for a spell and get ready for later. She’ll be good to mark down as a three-year-old. She is just a beautiful animal.”
Emma’s Heart, who finished second, has had a bit wrap on her and her quest to earn a place in the Golden Slipper line-up. She was a beaten favourite first-time out and finished second here after finding some traffic problems in the running.
Trainer Bruce Brown (trainer of Emma’s Heart): She was ridden back today. That’s how she should have been ridden first-up. She would have won. They went too hard in front last time.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly (rider of Emma’s Heart): “The horse inside me just kept coming out and bumped me a bit, which didn’t help. We wanted to ride her quieter today and she obviously appreciated that.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Arcup (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with the hind quarters of Manhatten Angel (S. Scriven). Falvelina (K. Banks) jumped in the air as the start was effected. Both Swiss Rose (B. Stewart) and Duel Show (J. Bowditch) were both a little slow to begin. Near the 700m, Take Cover (C. Reith) had to be checked when tightened for room between Arcup (C. McIver), which shifted out off the heels of Manhatten Angel (S. Scriven) and Swiss Rose (B. Stewart), which was taken in by Brujita (J. Brown). Whilst stewards acknowledged the minor shift from Arcup, J. Brown was nevertheless reprimanded and advised to ensure she is fully clear when shifting ground in future. Emma’s Heart (B. Pengelly) was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight, and near the 200m was impeded when attempting to take a run between the tiring Falvelina and Bevagna (K. Pope), which shifted out when racing greenly. Swiss Rose (B. Stewart), which was unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the straight, shifted out leaving the 200m and in doing so hampered the tiring Two Lipsticks (M. Palmer). Two Lipsticks, Brujita (J. Brown) and Our Mascato (L. Cassidy) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Stewards questioned jockey K. Banks in regards to the performance of Falvelina. K. Banks stated that the filly did not travel comfortably during running and when asked for an effort in the early stages of the straight, Falvelina did not stretch out and weakened over the concluding stages. K. Banks added that in her opinion, the filly failed to handle the rain affected track conditions.
Race 3:
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1615m.
1st - Spirto Gentil; 2nd - Macedon; 3rd - Bold Glance
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “We got the horse from the David Hayes stable. I’ve had him six runs now. He’s very green. He’s still learning a lot. We’ve had the blinkers on for a couple of runs. Before that he was a bit shy and carrying on. He should have won both of those last two (when finishing second). It was unbelievable. He is a funny horse. He won’t race inside horses so, until he learns how to race properly, you sort have got to ride him that way so that he come around them and stretch out. So we are riding him to his strength at the moment.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “There was genuine speed up front which probably assisted our efforts. I said to Dave (Murphy) his last twenty yards were his best and that’s what has won him the race. I sure Dave will keep him in his class. He’s a nice horse but not a world-beater.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards acceded to a request from trainer L. Birchley to have the slow track ban lifted on Sirena Ligera. Golden Balls was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon prior to this race and cleared to start. Satula (K. Forrester) was slow to begin. Star Of Ombra (L. Cassidy) raced wide in the early stages. Near the 1200m, Hearty Laughter (M. Palmer) improved up on to the heels of Sirena Ligera (C. McIver) and had to be steadied. Sir Reason (O. Turpin), which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. Master Of War (G. Baker) and Macedon (R. Wiggins) raced wide for the majority of the event. Satula (K. Forrester) was held up and unable to improve round the home turn and in the early stages of the straight. Sirena Ligera lost its near fore plate in the running.
Race 4:
4yo and Up Class 6 Handicap - 1615m.
1st - Montoux; 2nd - Humma; 3rd - Bann Ruby
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Noel Doyle (who has not been at the track for either of Montoux’s last two city wins): “Oh, they’ve barred me from the track now. She gets the result when I’m not there. Bobby (El-Issa) seems to have just gelled with her. Last time when she ran fourth, he made a little bit too much use of her. He knew it wasn’t one of his best rides, but the horse does go well for him. He won on her the run before that. She drew the two alley again this time (the same alley as in her previous win) and Bobby rode the perfect race. This preparation has probably been her best. She has always shown a lot of ability, but, when she came to me from Melbourne, being my Montjeu, they all believed that she wanted 2100 ... 2200m. But that was not the case. She is only a light little filly ... oh well she’s a mare now ... and I sort of had to feel my way with her. Then I came to the conclusion, yeah well maybe over 1800m, but around a mile – 1600m, 1700m – she is very good. So next time she wins you’ll have to talk to me afterwards as well. They told me I’m barred now. I’m not allowed near her on raceday.”
Jockey Bobby El-Issa: “Last start she was a bit unlucky. I was sort of left in front a long way out. We won the race before that. Noel (Doyle) has got her going well. She likes the sting out of the ground. I think the key is just to show here a bit of TLC. She likes to pull in the race. You just have to talk to her and get her to relax. She won well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Simplex was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 11.35am after the gelding was injured in its float en route to the course. Rabbit Nagina (D. Coleman) was slow to begin. Shew Stone (R. Wiggins) commenced to over-race shortly after entering the back straight and near the 1000m had to be restrained from the heels of Seen’Em Comin’ (L. Cassidy). Near the finish line Punch Up (B. Stewart) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Bann Ruby (S. Scriven), which shifted in slightly.
Stewards questioned D. Coleman regarding the performance of Rabbit Nagina. D. Coleman stated that the horse was slow to begin and was reluctant to stretch out throughout the event. He added that when he placed the horse under pressure in the early stages of the straight, it commenced to hang in quite badly and did not finish the race off as expected. Trainer G. Yorke expressed his disappointment in the performance and could only offer the rain-effected track as an explanation for the poor performance. He undertook to report back to stewards any abnormality that may become apparent with the horse in the days following the race. A post-race veterinary examination of Rabitt Nagina failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Stewards sought an explanation from trainer Mr K. Kemp regarding the performance of Malela today. Mr Kemp stated that jockey Pengelly advised him that Malela felt short in its action. Mr Kemp stated that the horse had worked well leading up to today's event and was very disappointed with its performance. Mr Kemp further stated that he would send Malela for an immediate spell. Mr Kemp undertook to inform stewards of any abnormality that becomes apparent that may have had a bearing on the performance of Malela. A post-race veterinary examination of Malela failed to reveal any abnormalities.
A post-race veterinary examination of Bann Ruby failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 5:
CG&E Class 6 Handicap - 1350m.
1st - Come Said The Boy; 2nd - Kyros; 3rd - Feelin Dandy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan (Jnr): “It’s another El Moxie – now you can see why I like the breed. That’s my first winner on a Saturday in town, so it’s good to finally break the duck. I’ve run a few places, so that’s good. When the rain came I wasn’t that confident. He hasn’t handled a wet track at all in the past so I was really worried with the track being wet. It was an excellent ride. A beautiful ride ... the ride won the race for sure. It is very hard for a three-year-old to beat older horses, particularly under that sort of pressure on this going. I think you will find, hopefully, he will be a better horse back on top of the ground.”
The win gave jockey Bobby El-Issa a race-to-race double on the day.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when the front gates of Hike’s stall opened prematurely. Hike (A. Spinks), Onion (R. Wiggins) and Five Ways (C. McIver) were all slow to begin. Come Said the Boy (B. El-Issa) over-raced during the middle stages. Near the 800m, Oscar Osetetch (S. Galloway) improved up on to the heels of Five Ways (C. McIver) and had to be steadied. Approaching the 300m, Hike (A. Spinks) was obliged to shift considerable ground wider on the track in order to obtain clear running. Near the 200m, Mr Doyle (M. Palmer) was momentarily impeded when tightened for room between More Than Regal (B. Evans) and Five Ways (C. McIver), both of which shifted ground. More Than Regal (B. Evans) and Five Ways (C. McIver) raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 6:
F&M Class 6 Handicap - 1350m.
1st - Cool Edition; 2nd - Michelle Cafea; 3rd - Kentish Rose
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “I did say to him to ride it cold, but I didn’t think it would be that cold. I thought she’d just got no hope where she was. She not a bad filly this, and you can go further with her up to a mile. A mile will suit her better. We set this race for her. This was the race when she came back in that we targeted. A fillies and mares, Class 6, Saturday class race is her go. It’s been the race we’ve been looking at. Experience in the saddle counted here. He (Larry Cassidy) might not have been panicking, but I was.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “She blew the start and then she didn’t want to go at all. That was actually very similar to her first start this prep. Then in the second start when I got beaten, she was a different horse. She bounced and got onto the bridle. She was focussed. Today she wasn’t focussed, you know. It’s like there is two of them. Both of them are very good – but one of them can give you a heart attack!
“After blowing the start I thought, well we are back here now. There is no use panicking. She would not go at all early. She just didn’t want to take part. I guess we must have gone about three hundred metres before I finally got her to get on the bit and travel a little bit. I straight away thought, well, I know we are going to finish the race off, but whether we’d given them too much start of not was another thing. I wasn’t sure I’d won. I was that far out(on the track).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Following the downgrading of the track to Slow 7, stewards acceded to a request from trainer R. Heathcote to scratch Crosswise from this event. Crosswise was declared a late scratching at 12.15pm, and the gelding now will incur a slow track bar. Cool Edition (L. Cassidy) and Savanna La Mar (C.McIver) were slow to begin. Kentish Rose (M Palmer) raced ungenerously in the early stages. Savanna La Mar raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice Michael Palmer in regards to the tactics employed on Fasliyev Dancer today. Apprentice Palmer stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position and he endeavoured to do so in the early stages, however a short distance after the start he was of the opinion he was going to be trapped three wide and therefore chose to cease his urgings in an endeavour to establish a position closer to the running rail. He added that shortly after, several runners from his outside proceeded forward of him, which resulted in him settling in a rearward position. Stewards recorded apprentice Palmer's explanation, however advised him that he may have erred by ceasing in his endeavours to obtain a forward position as early as he had on this occasion when he was in receipt of explicit instructions to obtain a forward position.
B. El-Issa, rider of Taj Paru was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 1200m when insufficiently clear of Fasliyev Dancer (Michael Palmer), resulting in that horse having to be steadied. Fasliyev Dancer then commenced to over-race and did so until near the 800m.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1010m.
1st - Babinda Half; 2nd - Simplest; 3rd - Sequallan
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “He hasn’t been ridden right before this. I told him (Owen Turpin) to ride hi m aggressively. He does what he’s told. That’s what I like about him - and that’s the result. I had the horse originally and then lost him when he was sold and went to Gai Waterhouse. It was very disappointing at the time, but we are on the bit now. He ended up going to four or five different trainers. They couldn’t get him going. I was the last resort. The syndicate that bought him, they pulled out during EI. They thought the horse was finished and wouldn’t come back. I sort of begged and pleaded with them, but, no, they put the white flag up. The rest is history. So now it’s owned by R. Bradshaw and P Lawrence.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin (who completed a double on the day): “The trainer said I should be aggressive on him and keep letting him roll along. He said that I mustn’t hold him up. It was my first feel of him today and he is just a pure speed horse and you just got to let him do what he does best.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Felixtrinidad had to be resaddled prior to the running of this race. Near the 600m, Ra Sun (Ma. Palmer) had to be steadied when crowded for room by Heart (B. Evans), which was taken in Sequallan (J. Brown), which was receiving pressure from Simplest (L. Cassidy). L. Cassidy, rider of Simplest, was advised to exercise more care and afford his fellow riders sufficient racing room in future. Passing the 400m, Ra Sun had to be checked when tightened for room by Heart (B. Evans), which was racing tight to the inside of Sequallan (J. Brown), which was also racing in restricted room to the inside of Simplest. In all the circumstances, stewards took no direct action, however, advised all jockeys of their obligations to afford their fellow riders sufficient racing room. Mr Aristos (M. Hughes) shifted out under pressure in the home straight, resulting in Sectagonal (L. Rolls) having to alter course to the inside of that horse's heels near the 200m.
J. Bowditch, rider of Felixtrinidad was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of How Good Is He (A. Spinks), resulting in A. Spinks, rider of How Good Is He, having to take a hold of his mount to avoid the heels of Felixtrinidad. J. Bowditch was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 18 March, and to expire at midnight, 29 March 2009.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1200m.
1st - Eire of Magic; 2nd - Equates; 3rd - Overanxious
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Matthew Palmer: “Yeah, he settled pretty well. We had an alright run throughout and it was just basically a matter of getting in daylight because I know what he is capable of. My only association with the horse prior to this was in his previous start. As I said to David then, where-ever he goes. I want to ride him again. He’s got a big motor and good acceleration. He does do a few things wrong. He can want to hang quite badly. Through the run it’s not too bad. Once he sort of hits the front and there is no other horse around him, that’s about his only quirk. He becomes quite lazy then and not fully focussed and therefore is inclined to hang. There’s is no doubt about his ability which is what I really like most about him, and if he really goes straight he’ll be so much the better for it. It’s just a question of finding the right race for him and he’ll put a few more together I think.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prayer Chamber had to resaddled prior to the running of this race. Equates (L. Rolls) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with Paris Boy (R.Wiggins), which in turn shifted out and bumped De Business (S.Galloway). Fasdehere (R. Goltz) was tightened for room on jumping away between Eire Of Magic (M. Palmer) and On Bail (D. Craven), both of which shifted ground. Fasdehere raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Eire Of Magic (M. Palmer) shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. Overanxious (B. El-Issa) laid in under pressure in the straight. Overanxious (B. El-Issa), Prayer Chamber (K. Forrester) and De Business (S. Galloway) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners plus Humma, Angelo Minny, Emma's Heart and Michelle Cafea.
EAGLE FARM REVIEW (FRI, MAR 13)
A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Friday, March 13.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
From GCTC, 11.3.09 - Race 8. Trainer J. Wallace reported that Forbes was found to be lame in the near-fore leg subsequent to competing at the above race meeting.
Race 1:
3yo Maiden Plate - 1300m
1st - Player Run; 2nd - Don't Do It Again; 3rd - My Fallacy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “I wish they could all be that easy. He just got a bit too far back last start. This time I was always going to use the alley and go forward. I wanted to take up a forward position. I didn’t really want o get onto the paint. Where I was she was climbing over heels the whole way. Once I let her go she just took off. Nice win. That’s my first ride back from suspension. I think I’m blowing more than the horse. The suspension time does go by quite quickly, but I can tell you what else goes quickly. The weight – and it goes up. Mine went from 51kg to 56kg while I was out. I’m back to 51kg now and it’s good to kick off with a win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Craiglea Pursuit (K. Pope) was slow to begin. Near the 1000m, Grey Mambo (A. Spinks) shifted out and made contact with Player Run (B. Evans), which at that stage was racing ungenerously at the heels of My Fallacy (L. Cassidy). As a result of this incident, Player Run became unbalanced and shifted out, making contact with Catch A Chic (L. Rolls). Catch A Chic raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Grey Mambo revealed the gelding to be lame in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer M. Wilson was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Grey Mambo prior to its next race start.
Race 2:
4yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1300m
1st - Hello Boss; 2nd - Alyssa Jean; 3rd - Hindsight
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Chris Whitely: “We didn’t really have a plan to lead by that margin. He had the natural speed to go forward and we thought we’d just see what happened from there. He got an easy time of it up front and did enough in the end. He might be a bit limited though and I think he might go back up there again now (to Townsville).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Duvivier (M. Palmer) jumped away awkwardly. Jugerston (N. Thomas) was slow to begin. Carry On Dancer (O. Turpin) made contact with Henry’s Ann (A. Pattillo) on jumping away.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1500m
1st - Incendio; 2nd - American Gangster; 3rd - Dave The Dude
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “First-up he ran a nice race, even though on paper it doesn’t look like it. Second-up he ran like a second-up horse for whatever reason. You know, we’ve all experimented over the years how to beat that second-up syndrome. Third-up he improved out of sight. I said to the owners today, he has only got to make that same level of improvement to win – and he has. I think as he gets over 2000m he is going to be a better horse. He is a nice enough horse. There is not a lot to get too excited about yet, but he is an improving type. That’s what I like about him.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is an improving sort of horse. I rode him his first start and in his second start he probably disappointed. Next start he ran very well and he’s carried on through to here. He had to fight a bit. When I asked him he really knew how to really knuckle down – which is a good sign.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards acceded to a request from trainer Mr S. Hunter to allow jockey T. Treichel to ride Ignition Miss half a kilogram over its allotted weight. No Hurry (S. Galloway) jumped away awkwardly and was tightened for room shortly after between Deenlester (M. Hellyer) and Three Gongs (A. Spinks). Licorice (C. McIver) was tightened for room on jumping away between American Gangster (C. Reith) and Incendio (L. Cassidy), both of which shifted ground. Dave The Dude (L. Rolls) and Robson (K. Banks) made contact on jumping away. Near the 1400m, Lucyrox (K. Pope) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Croix De Fer (G. Baker), which shifted in, and American Gangster (C. Reith) which, when racing ungenerously, shifted out. Whilst stewards acknowledged the contribution to the incident by American Gangster, G. Baker, rider of Croix De Fer, was nevertheless reprimanded and advised to afford his fellow riders more racing room in future. Lucyrox then commenced to race ungenerously and did so until a point leaving the 1000m. American Gangster also over-raced and near the 800m improved up on to the heels of Suave Consort (Michael Palmer) and had to be steadied. When Dave The Dude (L. Rolls) took up the lead near the 600m, the pace slackened and as a result Three Gongs (A. Spinks), which was following, improved up on to the heels of Dave The Dude and had to be steadied. Croix De Fer (G. Baker), which was trailing Three Gongs shifted out off the heels of that horse, taking Kalenji (M. Palmer) out on to American Gangster (C. Reith), which overreacted and shifted out abruptly, taking Kalenji wider on the track. Kalenji raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Kalenji revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer F. Adams will be advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Kalenji prior to its next race start.
Stewards intend to question jockey T. Treichel in regards to his reasons for leaving the course without seeking permission of the stewards. Stewards also intend question T. Treichel in regards to his apparent failure to ride Ignition Miss right out to the finish line.
Race 4:
F&M Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Salice; 2nd - Miss Courtly; 3rd - Gazillion
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “Taking on Class 1’s straight from the Maiden and winning that way when she is still pretty inexperienced is fairly difficult to do. She’s great to train. Just took a little bit of time to come through that’s all. There’s not much to say really, except she’s going real well.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a decent alley. She jumps well and pings good. I got to where I wanted to be. I just sat outside the leader. She likes the wet ... yeah, and just kept going. Nobody could stay with her. She’s pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Salice (C. McIver) and Nikki Beach (D. Craven) made heavy contact on jumping away. Sharjah (L. Cassidy) was tightened for room at the start between Cooma Creek (A. Spinks), both of which shifted ground. Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice M. Palmer regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Falling Star. M. Palmer stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse in a rearward position from the wide gate and stated that the mare was never comfortable on the rain affected track and at no stage, in his opinion, did the horse stretch out. Trainer R. Heathcote expressed disappointment regarding the performance of Falling Star and undertook to report to stewards any abnormality that may become apparent in the days following the race that would explain the performance.
Race 5:
CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Swirling Moss; 2nd - Notevenow; 3rd - Cotto
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “When I came here today, the plan was to ride him quiet – because he always finishes off. But the way the racing pattern has been today, I had to change it. I decided to go forward and as it was he sat three deep the whole way. But that is the advantage of having the claim (jockey Chris McIver’s claim was 3kg). The claim offsets sitting three deep. That’s the advantage of claiming. They can sit three deep and still make up ground ... we just going to hang on to the win in the Stewards room, aren’t we? They seemed to come together.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a bad alley. We got stuck three deep with cover which was good. We were probably on the best part of the track and he handled the wet going well.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy, the rider of the second placed runner Notevenow, lodged an objection against the winner, Swirling Moss.
Jockey Larry Cassidy (in the protest hearing): “As we’ve all viewed on the film, the interference approximately took place at the 150m mark. The eventual winner, I’m pretty sure, raced on level terms with me at that time. Chris (McIver) allows his mount to shift in and make contact with my horse. If you watch the film closely, the lateral and the head-on, we are both racing on level terms at that time. This is a vital piece of evidence in this inquiry. The moment he made contact with me and pushed me sideways on heavy going, that’s where he put the neck advantage on me – the half-neck advantage on me – which was the winning margin. Him making contact with my mount gave him the winning margin. I believe if he doesn’t make contact, the winning margin would have been in my favour. I think that is a very important point. If you watch on the film he is racing level with me. We are head to head for a couple of strides. He has then made contact with me. He has pushed my mount in, who has then become unbalanced in the going and he’s been able to put that half-neck winning margin on me because of that interference. I was unable to pick that margin up again. That was all because the winner was taking my line, my rightful running, causing interference on a slow track, making my horse unbalanced and giving him the winning margin advantage. It has definitely cost my horse more than half-a-neck.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver (questioning Cassidy): “Was your horse laying out in the straight at any time?”
Cassidy: “My horse did move around a couple of times, but I’d been running in a straight ... a complete straight line prior to ... within two strides of you making contact with me. I believe I was running on a straight line. You actually took me in.”
McIver: “My horse was going forward and raced equal. Just before it moved in it, well I won’t say stumbled ... but it half stumbled slightly. I rolled in a fraction and stopped riding straight away. Then I went straight and stayed straight for the rest of the race. It was going straight the whole way down the running, except for that little spot.”
Cassidy had no questions for McIver.
Trainer Bryan Guy (trainer of Notevennow): “My horse did probably shift a little bit, but at no time did our horse make contact with the winner. The winner contacted with us.”
Trainer Robert Heathcote (trainer of Swirling Moss): “Yeah, I don’t deny there was contact, but I think it was more ... I think push is a bit of a strong adjective. I think it was a brush at best. And jockey Cassidy saying he was on level terms ... I don’t think he was ever on level terms with the winner at any stage up the straight both prior to, and also when they brushed ... he stopped riding, straightened his mount and the horse had ample opportunity to run my horse down. I think the margin was increasing at the line.”
Larry Cassidy: “Just one final point. Chris (McIver) said, was my horse shifting around? I did state, yes he did. But I actually stopped riding prior and straightened him so he couldn’t make contact with the eventual winner. Chris McIver has allowed his horse to get in, brush my horse, make contact with my horse ... and then he’s stopped riding. That certainly gave his horse the winning margin. Maybe I shouldn’t have stopped riding earlier in the straight and come out and brushed him. Maybe I would have won the race and we wouldn’t be in here. I think that the contact that was made gave the winner a winning margin and the advantage that I wasn’t able to have.”
The protest was dismissed.
The result gave both trainer Robert Heathcote and apprentice jockey Chris McIver a double on the day. Heathcote’s first winner on the card, Incendio, was ridden by Larry Cassidy.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by L. Cassidy, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Notevenow, against Swirling Moss being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 200m. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the patrol video stewards were of the opinion that although Swirling Moss had shifted in approaching 150m and made contact with Notevenow, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the inconvenience suffered by Notevenow was a result of the contact warranted a reversal of placings and therefore dismissed the objection and correct weight was semaphored on the Judge's placings.
De Sius Rockstar (M. Palmer) began awkwardly. Leaving the 600m, Brave Attempt (A. Spinks) improved up on to the heels of The Crusader and had to be steadied. Swirling Moss (C. McIver) and Willowie Lad (C. Reith) both raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from B. Evans regarding the disappointing performance of Night Rogues. B. Evans stated he rode the gelding urgently in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position as instructed, however Night Rogues failed to show the necessary speed to do so and as a result settled further back than he had anticipated. B. Evans added that the horse did not travel comfortably at any stage during the race and felt that the gelding did not handle the rain affected track. Trainer A. Bailey's representative was unable to offer any explanation for the performance and undertook to report back to stewards any abnormality which may become apparent that may have had a bearing on the performance.
The connections of The Crusader reported that, in their opinion, the gelding failed to handle the prevailing track conditions today. A post race veterinary examination of The Crusader failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 6:
Class 4 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Nostrum; 2nd - Jad; 3rd - Kirra Lyn
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “The plan was to go to the front. He trialled really, really well behind that good horse of Lindsay Gough’s, Lennon. That sort of put the writing on the wall, but his wet track form isn’t really good. We were a little bit worried about that. We thought he’d have his best chance in the lead. I said to Ryan if you can get to the front easy enough just keep going. He rode her a treat.
“I think he is a very, very nice horse. It is his first start for me. He’s been working like a really, really good horse. We’ve had him for a fair while. We put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks after we’d got him because he pulled a hamstring. So, then he’s come back. We’ve had him probably four or five months. We put the blinkers on because I just thought he goes better with them on. A good friend of mine from Australian Bloodstock found the horse for me. We leased him with the option to buy. He’ll be ours today after this.”
Jockey Ryan Wiggins: “He just used his speed out of the gate. He went straight to the front and he was just too good for them. He didn’t handle the track either so it was a pretty good win. He kicked on nice. He got a little bit tired the last 100m, but he had a nice enough run early on to get us over the line.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ben Hur (S. Scriven) reared at the start and lost considerable ground. A warning was placed on Ben Hur regarding its barrier manners. Red Enzo (M. Palmer) dipped near the 600m.
Stewards sought an explanation from S. Scriven regarding the performance of Ben Hur. S. Scriven stated that although the horse lost valuable ground at the start, he was very disappointed in the gelding's performance, and was concerned in the fashion that Ben Hur tired over the concluding stages. Trainer Mr B. Baldwin stated that the horse had trialled only fairly, however its work leading up to today's event had pleased him. He also expressed his disappointment in regards to the performance of Ben Hur. A post race veterinary examination of Ben Hur failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 3 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Plenty Of Practise; 2nd - Fat Possum; 3rd - Modern Glamour
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Frank Phillips: “We’ve changed her type of racing. We forced her to be a sprinter – 1000m or 1100m – and it wasn’t working out. So, we decided to push her up in distance. She ran a good race last time over 1500m and today, over the mile, she just proved that she prefers this trip.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “She pinged well. They went pretty hard and I didn’t have any cover (from a wide draw) so I just let her slide a bit. I just balanced her around the corner and she hit the line hard.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Modern Glamour (C. Whiteley) began awkwardly and lost ground. Don Carmello (B. Payne) jumped away very awkwardly. Leaving the 1100m, Fly Misty (E. Wilkinson) commenced to race ungenerously and had to be steadied off the heels of Radio Star (B. Evans). When being restrained, Fly Misty shifted out, making contact with Kilkenny Queen (A. Spinks). Fat Possum (C. McIver) raced wide from a point approaching the 800m. Leaving the 400m, Radio Star (B. Evans) attempted to take a run between Fat Possum and Don Carmello (B. Payne), however was unable to do so due to Fat Possum (C. McIver) shifting out. Radio Star then commenced to lay in when placed under pressure and was held up for a short distance approaching the winning post. Modern Glamour (C. Whiteley) appeared to resent the whip over the final 100m. Through The Waves (K. Pope) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Player Run, Craiglea Pursuit, Ca Plane Pour Moi, Hindsight, Robson, Croix De Fer, Gazillion, Miss Courtly, Jamelden Cat, Detected, Through The Waves, Starelie.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, Don't Do It Again, American Gangster, Notevenow, Fat Possum.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
From GCTC, 11.3.09 - Race 8. Trainer J. Wallace reported that Forbes was found to be lame in the near-fore leg subsequent to competing at the above race meeting.
Race 1:
3yo Maiden Plate - 1300m
1st - Player Run; 2nd - Don't Do It Again; 3rd - My Fallacy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “I wish they could all be that easy. He just got a bit too far back last start. This time I was always going to use the alley and go forward. I wanted to take up a forward position. I didn’t really want o get onto the paint. Where I was she was climbing over heels the whole way. Once I let her go she just took off. Nice win. That’s my first ride back from suspension. I think I’m blowing more than the horse. The suspension time does go by quite quickly, but I can tell you what else goes quickly. The weight – and it goes up. Mine went from 51kg to 56kg while I was out. I’m back to 51kg now and it’s good to kick off with a win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Craiglea Pursuit (K. Pope) was slow to begin. Near the 1000m, Grey Mambo (A. Spinks) shifted out and made contact with Player Run (B. Evans), which at that stage was racing ungenerously at the heels of My Fallacy (L. Cassidy). As a result of this incident, Player Run became unbalanced and shifted out, making contact with Catch A Chic (L. Rolls). Catch A Chic raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Grey Mambo revealed the gelding to be lame in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer M. Wilson was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Grey Mambo prior to its next race start.
Race 2:
4yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1300m
1st - Hello Boss; 2nd - Alyssa Jean; 3rd - Hindsight
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Chris Whitely: “We didn’t really have a plan to lead by that margin. He had the natural speed to go forward and we thought we’d just see what happened from there. He got an easy time of it up front and did enough in the end. He might be a bit limited though and I think he might go back up there again now (to Townsville).”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Duvivier (M. Palmer) jumped away awkwardly. Jugerston (N. Thomas) was slow to begin. Carry On Dancer (O. Turpin) made contact with Henry’s Ann (A. Pattillo) on jumping away.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1500m
1st - Incendio; 2nd - American Gangster; 3rd - Dave The Dude
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “First-up he ran a nice race, even though on paper it doesn’t look like it. Second-up he ran like a second-up horse for whatever reason. You know, we’ve all experimented over the years how to beat that second-up syndrome. Third-up he improved out of sight. I said to the owners today, he has only got to make that same level of improvement to win – and he has. I think as he gets over 2000m he is going to be a better horse. He is a nice enough horse. There is not a lot to get too excited about yet, but he is an improving type. That’s what I like about him.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is an improving sort of horse. I rode him his first start and in his second start he probably disappointed. Next start he ran very well and he’s carried on through to here. He had to fight a bit. When I asked him he really knew how to really knuckle down – which is a good sign.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards acceded to a request from trainer Mr S. Hunter to allow jockey T. Treichel to ride Ignition Miss half a kilogram over its allotted weight. No Hurry (S. Galloway) jumped away awkwardly and was tightened for room shortly after between Deenlester (M. Hellyer) and Three Gongs (A. Spinks). Licorice (C. McIver) was tightened for room on jumping away between American Gangster (C. Reith) and Incendio (L. Cassidy), both of which shifted ground. Dave The Dude (L. Rolls) and Robson (K. Banks) made contact on jumping away. Near the 1400m, Lucyrox (K. Pope) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Croix De Fer (G. Baker), which shifted in, and American Gangster (C. Reith) which, when racing ungenerously, shifted out. Whilst stewards acknowledged the contribution to the incident by American Gangster, G. Baker, rider of Croix De Fer, was nevertheless reprimanded and advised to afford his fellow riders more racing room in future. Lucyrox then commenced to race ungenerously and did so until a point leaving the 1000m. American Gangster also over-raced and near the 800m improved up on to the heels of Suave Consort (Michael Palmer) and had to be steadied. When Dave The Dude (L. Rolls) took up the lead near the 600m, the pace slackened and as a result Three Gongs (A. Spinks), which was following, improved up on to the heels of Dave The Dude and had to be steadied. Croix De Fer (G. Baker), which was trailing Three Gongs shifted out off the heels of that horse, taking Kalenji (M. Palmer) out on to American Gangster (C. Reith), which overreacted and shifted out abruptly, taking Kalenji wider on the track. Kalenji raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Kalenji revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer F. Adams will be advised that he would be required to produce a veterinary clearance for Kalenji prior to its next race start.
Stewards intend to question jockey T. Treichel in regards to his reasons for leaving the course without seeking permission of the stewards. Stewards also intend question T. Treichel in regards to his apparent failure to ride Ignition Miss right out to the finish line.
Race 4:
F&M Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Salice; 2nd - Miss Courtly; 3rd - Gazillion
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “Taking on Class 1’s straight from the Maiden and winning that way when she is still pretty inexperienced is fairly difficult to do. She’s great to train. Just took a little bit of time to come through that’s all. There’s not much to say really, except she’s going real well.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a decent alley. She jumps well and pings good. I got to where I wanted to be. I just sat outside the leader. She likes the wet ... yeah, and just kept going. Nobody could stay with her. She’s pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Salice (C. McIver) and Nikki Beach (D. Craven) made heavy contact on jumping away. Sharjah (L. Cassidy) was tightened for room at the start between Cooma Creek (A. Spinks), both of which shifted ground. Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice M. Palmer regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Falling Star. M. Palmer stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse in a rearward position from the wide gate and stated that the mare was never comfortable on the rain affected track and at no stage, in his opinion, did the horse stretch out. Trainer R. Heathcote expressed disappointment regarding the performance of Falling Star and undertook to report to stewards any abnormality that may become apparent in the days following the race that would explain the performance.
Race 5:
CG&E Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Swirling Moss; 2nd - Notevenow; 3rd - Cotto
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “When I came here today, the plan was to ride him quiet – because he always finishes off. But the way the racing pattern has been today, I had to change it. I decided to go forward and as it was he sat three deep the whole way. But that is the advantage of having the claim (jockey Chris McIver’s claim was 3kg). The claim offsets sitting three deep. That’s the advantage of claiming. They can sit three deep and still make up ground ... we just going to hang on to the win in the Stewards room, aren’t we? They seemed to come together.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a bad alley. We got stuck three deep with cover which was good. We were probably on the best part of the track and he handled the wet going well.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy, the rider of the second placed runner Notevenow, lodged an objection against the winner, Swirling Moss.
Jockey Larry Cassidy (in the protest hearing): “As we’ve all viewed on the film, the interference approximately took place at the 150m mark. The eventual winner, I’m pretty sure, raced on level terms with me at that time. Chris (McIver) allows his mount to shift in and make contact with my horse. If you watch the film closely, the lateral and the head-on, we are both racing on level terms at that time. This is a vital piece of evidence in this inquiry. The moment he made contact with me and pushed me sideways on heavy going, that’s where he put the neck advantage on me – the half-neck advantage on me – which was the winning margin. Him making contact with my mount gave him the winning margin. I believe if he doesn’t make contact, the winning margin would have been in my favour. I think that is a very important point. If you watch on the film he is racing level with me. We are head to head for a couple of strides. He has then made contact with me. He has pushed my mount in, who has then become unbalanced in the going and he’s been able to put that half-neck winning margin on me because of that interference. I was unable to pick that margin up again. That was all because the winner was taking my line, my rightful running, causing interference on a slow track, making my horse unbalanced and giving him the winning margin advantage. It has definitely cost my horse more than half-a-neck.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver (questioning Cassidy): “Was your horse laying out in the straight at any time?”
Cassidy: “My horse did move around a couple of times, but I’d been running in a straight ... a complete straight line prior to ... within two strides of you making contact with me. I believe I was running on a straight line. You actually took me in.”
McIver: “My horse was going forward and raced equal. Just before it moved in it, well I won’t say stumbled ... but it half stumbled slightly. I rolled in a fraction and stopped riding straight away. Then I went straight and stayed straight for the rest of the race. It was going straight the whole way down the running, except for that little spot.”
Cassidy had no questions for McIver.
Trainer Bryan Guy (trainer of Notevennow): “My horse did probably shift a little bit, but at no time did our horse make contact with the winner. The winner contacted with us.”
Trainer Robert Heathcote (trainer of Swirling Moss): “Yeah, I don’t deny there was contact, but I think it was more ... I think push is a bit of a strong adjective. I think it was a brush at best. And jockey Cassidy saying he was on level terms ... I don’t think he was ever on level terms with the winner at any stage up the straight both prior to, and also when they brushed ... he stopped riding, straightened his mount and the horse had ample opportunity to run my horse down. I think the margin was increasing at the line.”
Larry Cassidy: “Just one final point. Chris (McIver) said, was my horse shifting around? I did state, yes he did. But I actually stopped riding prior and straightened him so he couldn’t make contact with the eventual winner. Chris McIver has allowed his horse to get in, brush my horse, make contact with my horse ... and then he’s stopped riding. That certainly gave his horse the winning margin. Maybe I shouldn’t have stopped riding earlier in the straight and come out and brushed him. Maybe I would have won the race and we wouldn’t be in here. I think that the contact that was made gave the winner a winning margin and the advantage that I wasn’t able to have.”
The protest was dismissed.
The result gave both trainer Robert Heathcote and apprentice jockey Chris McIver a double on the day. Heathcote’s first winner on the card, Incendio, was ridden by Larry Cassidy.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by L. Cassidy, rider of the 2nd placegetter, Notevenow, against Swirling Moss being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 200m. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the patrol video stewards were of the opinion that although Swirling Moss had shifted in approaching 150m and made contact with Notevenow, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the inconvenience suffered by Notevenow was a result of the contact warranted a reversal of placings and therefore dismissed the objection and correct weight was semaphored on the Judge's placings.
De Sius Rockstar (M. Palmer) began awkwardly. Leaving the 600m, Brave Attempt (A. Spinks) improved up on to the heels of The Crusader and had to be steadied. Swirling Moss (C. McIver) and Willowie Lad (C. Reith) both raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from B. Evans regarding the disappointing performance of Night Rogues. B. Evans stated he rode the gelding urgently in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position as instructed, however Night Rogues failed to show the necessary speed to do so and as a result settled further back than he had anticipated. B. Evans added that the horse did not travel comfortably at any stage during the race and felt that the gelding did not handle the rain affected track. Trainer A. Bailey's representative was unable to offer any explanation for the performance and undertook to report back to stewards any abnormality which may become apparent that may have had a bearing on the performance.
The connections of The Crusader reported that, in their opinion, the gelding failed to handle the prevailing track conditions today. A post race veterinary examination of The Crusader failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 6:
Class 4 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Nostrum; 2nd - Jad; 3rd - Kirra Lyn
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “The plan was to go to the front. He trialled really, really well behind that good horse of Lindsay Gough’s, Lennon. That sort of put the writing on the wall, but his wet track form isn’t really good. We were a little bit worried about that. We thought he’d have his best chance in the lead. I said to Ryan if you can get to the front easy enough just keep going. He rode her a treat.
“I think he is a very, very nice horse. It is his first start for me. He’s been working like a really, really good horse. We’ve had him for a fair while. We put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks after we’d got him because he pulled a hamstring. So, then he’s come back. We’ve had him probably four or five months. We put the blinkers on because I just thought he goes better with them on. A good friend of mine from Australian Bloodstock found the horse for me. We leased him with the option to buy. He’ll be ours today after this.”
Jockey Ryan Wiggins: “He just used his speed out of the gate. He went straight to the front and he was just too good for them. He didn’t handle the track either so it was a pretty good win. He kicked on nice. He got a little bit tired the last 100m, but he had a nice enough run early on to get us over the line.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ben Hur (S. Scriven) reared at the start and lost considerable ground. A warning was placed on Ben Hur regarding its barrier manners. Red Enzo (M. Palmer) dipped near the 600m.
Stewards sought an explanation from S. Scriven regarding the performance of Ben Hur. S. Scriven stated that although the horse lost valuable ground at the start, he was very disappointed in the gelding's performance, and was concerned in the fashion that Ben Hur tired over the concluding stages. Trainer Mr B. Baldwin stated that the horse had trialled only fairly, however its work leading up to today's event had pleased him. He also expressed his disappointment in regards to the performance of Ben Hur. A post race veterinary examination of Ben Hur failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 3 Handicap - 1600m
1st - Plenty Of Practise; 2nd - Fat Possum; 3rd - Modern Glamour
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Frank Phillips: “We’ve changed her type of racing. We forced her to be a sprinter – 1000m or 1100m – and it wasn’t working out. So, we decided to push her up in distance. She ran a good race last time over 1500m and today, over the mile, she just proved that she prefers this trip.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “She pinged well. They went pretty hard and I didn’t have any cover (from a wide draw) so I just let her slide a bit. I just balanced her around the corner and she hit the line hard.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Modern Glamour (C. Whiteley) began awkwardly and lost ground. Don Carmello (B. Payne) jumped away very awkwardly. Leaving the 1100m, Fly Misty (E. Wilkinson) commenced to race ungenerously and had to be steadied off the heels of Radio Star (B. Evans). When being restrained, Fly Misty shifted out, making contact with Kilkenny Queen (A. Spinks). Fat Possum (C. McIver) raced wide from a point approaching the 800m. Leaving the 400m, Radio Star (B. Evans) attempted to take a run between Fat Possum and Don Carmello (B. Payne), however was unable to do so due to Fat Possum (C. McIver) shifting out. Radio Star then commenced to lay in when placed under pressure and was held up for a short distance approaching the winning post. Modern Glamour (C. Whiteley) appeared to resent the whip over the final 100m. Through The Waves (K. Pope) raced wide for the majority of the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Player Run, Craiglea Pursuit, Ca Plane Pour Moi, Hindsight, Robson, Croix De Fer, Gazillion, Miss Courtly, Jamelden Cat, Detected, Through The Waves, Starelie.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, Don't Do It Again, American Gangster, Notevenow, Fat Possum.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
