A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, February 25.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT EXTRACT:
From BTC meeting, 21.2.09
Stewards today continued an inquiry into the reason for Mataranka (B. El-Issa) being checked near the 350m in race 8 at the above race meeting. At the inquiry today evidence was taken from B. El-Issa, M. Palmer (Bernado) and apprentice B. Evans (Jachaze). After hearing all evidence and viewing the film, B. Evans was found guilty of contravening AR137(a), in that he rode in a careless manner by permitting his mount to shift out near the 350m under riding when not clear of Mataranka, causing that horse to be checked and lose ground. B. Evans was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 9 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 February, and to expire at midnight, 11 March.
Race 1:
3yo Maiden Plate - 1300m
1st - Starsplash; 2nd - Master Of War; 3rd - Circumnavigate
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “She is a well bred filly. She got into a fair amount of trouble in both of her previous starts. I just gave her a break after that. She’s a Galileo. She’s a little bit hot and that break just gave her time to settle down a bit. This was good comeback.”
Jockey Chris Whiteley: “She was first-up here. I’ve ridden her all three runs. She just needed that break (Starsplash was resuming after being out of action for five months) and has come back a nice little horse. She’s trialled a couple of times and has trialled well. I had a nice run behind the favourite the whole way and she hit the line real good. She’ll obviously take benefit out of this run. I think she’ll just go through here classes. I can’t say she is destined for big things, but I do think she’ll win a few more.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Starsplash): 4.80 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Dubai Storm): 3.30 steady. Finished seventh.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lauxes (J. Bowditch) and Master Of War (G. Baker) came together at the start. Shortly after the start, Beautiful Moon (B. Evans) and Dubai Storm (S. Galloway) both raced in restricted room between Dapper (R. McMahon), which shifted in, and Craiglea Kara (A. Taylor) which shifted out. As both horses continued to race in restricted room for some distance, Beautiful Moon commenced to get its head up and raced ungenerously and shifted in and away from Dapper, tightening Dubai Storm. Near the 1100m, Lijudaro (R. Goltz) was tightened for room by Master Of War (G. Baker), which shifted out, and Dubai Storm (S. Galloway), which was taken in by Beautiful Moon (B. Evans) when that horse shifted in and away from Dapper (R. McMahon). As a consequence, Tell Jean (T. Treichel), which was trailing, clipped the heels of Lijudaro and blundered, and Starsplash (C. Whiteley) was inconvenienced. On straightening, Dapper (R. McMahon) shifted out to improve and brushed Beautiful Moon (B. Evans). Near the 350m, Dubai Storm shifted out to improve and made contact with Starsplash. Lauxes (J. Bowditch) hung out for the majority of the race. Beautiful Moon raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 2:
3yo Maiden Handicap - 1500m
1st - All Show; 2nd - Incendio; 3rd - Croix De Fer
Trainer Robert Heathcote (who saddled the quinella): “This was her fifth run for me. She has always promised to run well. Her last run was a cracker. Larry Cassidy rode her with 57.5kg. He got off and said, put a claimer on and this thing will win and, lo and behold, he was right. We had a doubt about the 1500m, but 57.5kg down to 52kg makes a big difference. But look, she is a solid, honest horse. She has been knocking at the door. I said to the owners, she’ll win in town. She is a Show A Heart mare and she’ll be worth a quid as a broodmare.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “We had a wide gate. I wanted to go forward. We jumped out. I knew I was going to get to the lead, but it was going to take a bit of time. So I was patient and slowly moved across and got to where we wanted to be. I held her up as long as I could down the straight. When I went for her, she kicked and had a big heart and kept kicking.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (All Show): 4.20 in to 3.80 out to 4.40.
Favourite (No Hurry): 3.00 out to 3.20. Finished eleventh.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As R. McMahon was to be over-weight, A. Spinks was substituted as the rider of Natane. R. McMahon was fined $200. Apprentice M. Hellyer, rider of Ellen Rosina, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 300m he permitted his mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of Croix De Fer (G. Baker), which resulted in Croix De Fer having to be checked. Apprentice Hellyer was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 February and to expire at midnight, 11 March 2009. Near the 100m, Croix De Fer (G. Baker) shifted in under pressure and bumped Ignition Miss. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of No Hurry and the riding tactics adopted, jockey B. Pengelly stated that he had been instructed to have the horse positioned forward, however the horse jumped away awkwardly with its head in the air and missed the start. He added that as a consequence he settled at the rear of the field rather than be caught wide. B. Pengelly further stated that at various stages of the race No Hurry seemed somewhat reluctant to travel, and when asked for an effort on straightening, the gelding failed to finish the race off as expected. Trainer B. Smith confirmed the instructions to have the horse placed closer to the lead and agreed that the performance today of No Hurry was disappointing. The explanation was noted.
Race 3:
F&M Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Salice; 2nd - Player Run; 3rd - Hello Boss
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “We just found through a series of trials and her run that, when she gets back in the field, she just doesn’t go as well. Just loses her way. So we put the blinkers on and she was comfortably up with the speed today and was able to run her own race. We are sort of in a funny spot with regards to where we go with her now. The Carnival - well it’s too late to spell for it. I’ll have to sit back and give her another run or two and see how she improves ... and then give her a little ease up or something. Whether she is worthy of considering for the Carnival is hard to say. That wasn’t much of a race, but you can only win it. The next couple of runs will tell the story.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “Mate, we thought she could win. She has always shown ability. Her first start was very disappointing. We put the blinkers on her this time and a few of the boys have been doing a fair bit of work with her and it’s obviously made a difference. In her first run she was slow to go and did everything wrong and just plugged along to the line. She was completely different then to what we knew she could be. Today’s was more like the type of effort we knew she could produce.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Salice): 4.20 out to 4.80.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Carry On Dancer (O. Turpin) missed the start. Player Run (B. Evans) was tightened for room on jumping away between The Pocket Rocket (A. Erhart), which jumped inwards, and Salice (S. Scriven), which jumped out and away from Kiss Kiss (R. Goltz), which also jumped outwards. Lindo Falcao (C. McIver) was slow to jump. Approaching the 1000m, Player Run (B. Evans) had to be steadied when cramped for room between Kiss Kiss (R. Goltz), which shifted out slightly when being eased away from the heels of Zero Suspicion (M. Palmer), and Duvivier (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. B. El-Issa, rider of Duvivier, was advised to ensure he is clear when shifting ground. Near the 1000m, The Pocket Rocket (A. Erhart) shifted in and away from Pearly Beach (J. Taylor), resulting in Salice (S. Scriven) having to be checked. Salice then shifted in abruptly, causing severe interference to Zero Suspicion (M. Palmer) and Hello Boss (C. Whiteley). As there were a number of contributing factors involved, stewards were unable to apportion blame to any particular horse or rider for the incident.
A post race veterinary examination of Lindo Falcao, which appeared to be disappointing revealed the horse to have a respiratory problem.
Race 4:
CG&E Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Night Rogues; 2nd - Shake The Lantern; 3rd - Colin's Choice
Trainer Alan Bailey (who only brought two runners with the track and went home with two winners): “He is a very good horse, this horse. He has had a lot of problems. When I first worked him, Charming Rogue could never beat him. Never. But he had all the problems in the world. He had a hair-line fracture in his leg ... and there were problems with his joints. That’s why we had to put him away for such a long time. Since he’s come back he’s been getting there slowly. He’s going to go better than this I can tell you, but, because of the setbacks he has suffered, he’ll probably never get back to being as good as he was.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Yeah, I copped early interference out of the gates. I wanted to cross but I got dictated to from the outside (by Dive Bomber shifting in sharply). The two on my inside had to take hold and come back out a bit. I mean it wasn’t real good what happened, but it ended up being good for me. We actually found ourselves in a beautiful position and he just sort of worked into it the whole way and got a beautiful run up the inside. I think it is going to be a very nice horse.”
Night Rogues was only having his second race start. He debuted in December 2007 and was out of action for fourteen months.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Night Rogues): 3.00 out to 3.10.
Favourite (Belltone): 2.00 out to 2.05. Finished seventh.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
American Gangster (C. Reith) was slow to begin. A. Taylor, rider of Dive Bomber, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 1000m she permitted her mount to shift in, which resulted in Night Rogues (B. Evans) being taken in on to Shake The Lantern (N. Thomas), which shifted in, resulting in Roswald (M. Hellyer) and Shake The Lantern severely checked. Stawell Dash was also hampered in this incident. A. Taylor was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 10 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 February, and to expire at midnight, 11 March 2009.
Race 5:
4yo and Up (E&G) Class 3 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Haverford; 2nd - Mackunda; 3rd - Snackman
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Richardson: “He’s had three seconds in a row before this. He just kept running into bad luck, you know. Bog track last start and when he straightened well back here I thought, oh shit, we are in trouble again. But maybe we learnt a thing or two today. Maybe that’s how he has got to be ridden. We’ve been riding him a lot closer, you know. Even today, I told Chris (McIver) I wanted him to be just off the pace and then take it easy from there. He’s got into trouble and had to get back, otherwise he would have been caught wide. But anyway, I very pleased. It is a very encouraging result. The people that bred him were a little bit dubious about coming to town. There is always a doubt about whether you are up to it when you step up to city racing. But she has got breeding on her side. The mare (Regal Chamber) ran third in the Golden Slipper. She’s the mare that put General Nediym back into fourth place.”
Apprentice jockey Chris McIver (who completed a double on the day): “He jumped with them, but being first time on the track he wasn’t comfortable and couldn’t quite go with them early. We got back to last and I was a bit worried, because I now had to ride him back to front. But we didn’t have any problem finding a run and as soon as he got into the clear he found another gear and took off.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Haverford): 10.00 out to 12.00.
Favourite (Mollington Grange): 2.60 out to 3.50.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Norse Code cast a plate and was attended to by the farrier prior to the start. Leaving the 1100m when the pace steadied, Norse Code (R. McMahon) commenced to pull hard and then shifted out, making heavy contact with Davion (S. Scriven). Davion then became unbalanced and shifted out, forcing Mollington Grange (L. Rolls) and Gee Whiz wider on the track. Mollington Grange and Gee Whiz were both then forced to race wide around the first turn and raced wide for the remainder of the race. Haverford (C. McIver) and Snackman (O. Turpin) were held up in the straight until after leaving the 200m. Stresso (C. Reith) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight.
Race 6:
4yo & Up (Mares) Class 3 Handicap - 1500m
1st - Lucky Toss; 2nd - Plenty Of Practise; 3rd - Starelie
Trainer Tony Gollan: “We thought she’d get back and settle back there. She’s got no early speed. I was probably a touch worried that 1500m might be a bit short for her ... but this was the best race I could find for her at this time. I think she is an above average mare. I’ve only had her for the three starts prior to this run, so she’s being going well for me (three wins from four starts). She’s going to go on to win a better race than this.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “That was a good, convincing win in the end. Since Tony (Gollan) has had the horse she’s appears to be relishing things. She is just flying. They warned me ... they said she would possibly get back a bit in the run, so I wasn’t too worried when that happened. When she got to the 600m she slowly picked up the bridle. Then it was just a matter of finding the clearing and away she went. The 1500m was probably a bit short for her. She is a ten furlong horse.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Lucky Toss): 4.20 out to 4.20 in to 4.00.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 300m, Cajun Moon (M. Hellyer) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Starelie (R. Wiggins) when that horse shifted out to improve. Cajun Moon (M. Hellyer) raced wide throughout.
Race 7:
Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Blue Jupiter; 2nd - Fulham; 3rd - Sweet Sassi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “He won like he won two runs ago with Shane (Scriven) on. The run in-between wasn’t as good. The reason for that is I really don’t think he is a kids horse. I’ve had a kid on him three times and he has just gone terrible. He is a horse you have to stand over a bit, and the apprentices struggle to get the best out of him. I thought today he had a great chance because of the pace of the race on paper. I knew they would just fly and that the race would be one by a sweeper and that he would be one of those.”
Jockey Shane Scriven: “He won pretty easy again today. The other day he gave me a few little worries there at the furlong, but today he had them covered. Liam (Birchley) had done his homework and he assured me they’d fly in the race. So, it worked out nice ... a little bit slow to go, found the fence, weaved our way through, got him to the outside and he did the rest. He was always the best horse in the race. We just needed that bit of luck and we got it. It was good.”
This result game the Liam Birchley / Shane Scriven combination a double on the day.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Blue Jupiter): 10.00 out to 13.00 in to 12.00.
Favourite (Mossbemad): 8.00 out to 8.50 in to 4.40.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As D. Craven was currently under suspension, R. Wiggins was substituted as the rider of Falvalea. Blue Jupiter (S. Scriven) jumped away awkwardly and missed the start. Damnation (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Spanish Sister (A. Spinks), Unintentional (J. Jones) and Seething Duck (J. Taylor) raced wide for the majority of the event. Star Touch (G. Baker) got its head up approaching the home turn and commenced to over-race and raced ungenerously for a short distance. A post race veterinary examination of Star Touch failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners, Master Of War, Incendio, Mackunda, Plenty Of Practice, Fulham.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, FEB 22)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, February 22.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Training partnership Messrs B. and J. McLachlan pleaded guilty to a charge under LR43, in that Jo Borg, Ron Hansen and Bronwyn Latcham were all employed at their stable facility on the morning of 3 February when unlicensed. The training partnership of B & J. McLachlan was fined the sum of $300. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account the exemplary record of this training partnership.
Trainer Mr M. Mair pleaded guilty to a charge under LR43 in that Ms Sharron Jolly was employed at his stage facility on 3 February when unlicensed. Mr Mair was fined the sum of $100. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account Mr Mair's unblemished record regarding this rule.
Race 1:
Class 1 Handicap - 2000m
1st - Brilliant Ween; 2nd - Fantastic Carat; 3rd - Lion Blanc
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Facoory: “When he’s on the track he is ready to race. But prior to being saddled and everything else, like when you try and saddle him, he’s a bit of a maniac. Maybe it is the adrenaline started to flow. Look at him now (as the horse was returning to scale). Look at him throwing his head up now ...and there again. But he has put two-in-a-row together now so there’s not much wrong with the way he is going on the track.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “He was quite worked up. He was already hot and sweaty beforehand so I just took him around with the pony. I didn’t give him much of a warm-up because he was already pretty warm. I just tried to reserve him that little bit more today (last time, at Ipswich, Brilliant Ween raced away to a sizeable early lead) because he was quite wound up already. But the difference today was I had a horse come up outside me at the 500m and I slapped my horse, just to start get it rolling, you know. I had a few looks and I knew I had them off the bit a little bit ... not right off the bit like the other day, but I knew Ihad things going in my favour. When we were travelling well at the 200m I was confident we had it won.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT: Crocodile Lass (B. Evans) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with Lion Blanc (E. Wilkinson), which had been slow to begin.
Race 2:
3yo & Up CG&E Maiden Handicap - 1100m
1st - Cheapskaterubi; 2nd - Maali; 3rd - Gold Land
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Peoples: “I’ve battled with him a little bit. He has had leg problems and we have sort of just keep patching him up all the time. They went fairly fast early today which helped us. I wanted him up there, but I said to Owen (Turpin) if they go fast early, he’ll settle for you. That’s how it panned out and Owen rode a good race.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “The race form showed there wasn’t a whole lot of pace in the race. There was a couple that had a little bit of pace, but nothing quite like we imagined, because they did jump and go quite fast. I just took a backward seat. When we came to the 500m I just allowed my horse to roll forward and just pop out one. I had the opportunity to pop out one and sit three wide as we hit the corner and give him a clear run all the way home. Then it was up to him. I think the frontrunners might have went a bit too hard and I was happy to sit where I was. Just that last 100m they sort of hit the wall and I I kept coming. That was it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cheapskaterubi (O. Turpin) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with Grillita’s Secret (M. Hughes), which was slow to begin. All Kiwi (A. Merritt), Icerullah (J. Bowditch) and Comeonwillie (N. Thomas) were all tightened for room at the start between Gold Land (M. Heagney), which shifted out, and Maali (B. Payne), which shifted in after jumping away awkwardly. All Kiwi lost its position as a result. Approaching the 800m, Maali (B. Payne) was forced to steady to avoid the heels of Top Resource (R. Stewart), which shifted in. A short distance later, Top Resource continued to shift in, causing Gold Land (M. Heagney) to be steadied to avoid heels. Jockey R. Stewart, rider of Top Resource, was reprimanded for this incident. For a short distance leaving the 800m, All Kiwi was inclined to hang out. Nearing the 700m when the pace steadied, Gold Land commenced to over-race and as a result was forced to shift out to avoid heels, forcing Maali (B. Payne) wider on the track. Maali raced wide from that point onwards. Prince Roamanico (A. Taylor) and Grillita’s Secret (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
Race 3:
3yo & Up F&M Maiden Plate - 1100m
1st - Yeah Good; 2nd - Mysterious Girl; 3rd - Quingilly
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Walk: “Yeah, she likes this track. I gave her a run on it before in a Class 1 (as a Maiden) and she ran alright that day. This is her sort of distance. We tried her over further before and that didn’t really work. We gave her a spell and she’s come back well. I thought she would be hard to beat. She’s been a nightmare for her owners and they deserve every win they get for the way they have kept trying with her. She’s done a lot of things wrong, so they’ve done well to get here.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fortynil (M. Hughes) was slow to begin. Quingilly (T. Treichel) jumped away awkwardly, losing ground. Near the 900m, Get Jazz (W. Clasohm) was forced to steady when tightened for room to the inside of Quingelly, which was taken in by Mile High Mistress (D. Craven). D. Craven, rider of Mile High Mistress, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in future. Queens Of The Storm (D. Gill), Miss Bickie (A. Badger) and Bella Principessa all raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Mile High Mistress revealed the horse to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer B. Baldwin was advised that he must produce a veterinary clearance for the filly prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - In Rehearsal; 2nd - Nevada Gambler; 3rd - Malta
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “Last time the other one (Nevada Gambler) rushed away and I think they all thought it would come back them and it didn’t. We were flying at the finish there, but went down by a short-neck. We met again here, but they rode it differently today. We were in touch and he proved that he could handle the Cushion track which is good. It gives us another option. We’ll probably push him up in distance now. He has won over 1800m before and we’ll probably push up to 2000m.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin (who completed a hat trick on the day to add to the two winners he had at the track at its inaugural night meeting on Saturday night): “I knew the other horse wouldn’t lead on the Cushion track the way it did last time. It never does. I thought well, I’d be able to just jump out and ride the horse at my own pace. After the jump I just popped him out one off the rail, because I was last anyway. I popped up outside Nevada Gambler knowing that Nevada Gambler was going to take off early at the 600m. I then just sat on my horse and held him in until the straight. Around the 450m I started letting him slide and he finished off great. The stable turned the horse out beautifully and I just want to say to Jason and Bruce (McLachlan) how much I appreciate the rides they give me.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
In Rehearsal (O. Turpin) was slow to begin. Semi Wells (B. Evans) was momentarily held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Stewards questioned both apprentice A. Badger and trainer B. Gill in relation to the tactics adopted on Nevada Gambler. Apprentice Badger stated her instructions were to ride the horse in a forward position, however after travelling a short distance, it was clear she was not going to be able to hold such a position as horses to her outside were showing significant early speed, and she elected therefore to take hold and take a sit. Trainer Mr B. Gill confirmed these instructions, however stated that he was not entirely surprised the Nevada Gambler was not able to hold the lead as, in his opinion, there was more pace in this event than at the horse's previous start.
Race 5:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1600m
1st - Pop Legend; 2nd - Lapetus; 3rd - Real Grand
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gina Roberts: “He hasn’t performed badly in recent starts, but he just doesn’t appreciate heavy ground. He’s definitely better on top of the ground. He gets through the heavy going but he’s not comfortable in it. We just had no choice. There are not a lot of suitable races around. It’s taken a while with him. He ran fourth in his first start as a three-year-old at the Gold Coast, but he bowed his tendon so hence, we lost a couple of years because he has done it twice. He had two years off and it’s just taken a long time for him to come back. Being an older horse, he just needed racing. You know last start, ok that was on a heavy track, and this one, it’s probably the fittest he’s ever been.
“I did have a bit of confidence in him coming right, that’s why I persevered with him. He’s always shown a bit of ability and I think he will win a couple of more races. When they can get a bit of ground it’s a bit easier. Staying races are not that hard. I think he’ll get 2000m or maybe even further, you know. He had to chase down the winner today. He always tries hard and his determination helped get him there. Kenji (Yoshida) did well. He rides all my work and I’ve got to support him.”
Jockey Kenji Yoshida: “At the top of the straight I wasn’t sure if I could run down the leader (Lapetus) because he had kicked away by four or five lengths. At the 200m, my horse started making ground and was closing the gap. From there I was pretty sure I would win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ausbred Icon (A. Merritt) and Fleischmans Rocket (W. Clasohm) were slow to begin. Dane Raider (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Biscays Best (R. Stewart), which raced wide in the early stages, over-raced for a short distance leaving the 1400m. Approaching the 400m, Slip Up (M. Hughes) shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so made heavy contact with Pop Legend (K. Yoshida), causing both horses to become unbalanced. Real Grand raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Fast Horse, which tailed off, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 6:
3yo QTIS Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Trail Of Secrets; 2nd - Easy Play; 3rd - Kalinga Lady
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: (The McLachlan stable completed a treble on the day). “She is a really lightly framed filly. She showed us a lot early ... but she has taken so long to mature. We’ve had to turn her out a few times. She’s shown a lot of potential on the track and she just needs to strengthen up. She will get stronger. She is a late maturing filly. A couple of times I thought she could win. She wasn’t strong enough. She’ll make it at the end of the day. Give her another twelve months and she will be a nice filly.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Easy Play (J. Jones) was slow to begin. Near the 600m, Easy Play improved up on to the heels of Dodge County (O. Turpin) and had to be steadied. Easy Play was then held up for clear running until leaving the 400m. Pegunny Theatre (J. Bowditch) was buffeted at the start between Stickman (W. Clasohm) and Trail Of Secrets (N. Thomas), both of which shifted ground. Dodge County (O. Turpin) was inclined to hang out from the 500m onwards. Stickman and Galaxy Stalker (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
Race 7:
Class 3 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Craiglea Maiden; 2nd - Yuketan; 3rd - Larry's Boy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Fleming: “That’s her third run this prep. Before that she was out for eleven months because she suffered badly from EI and never really recovered from the inoculations. We just had to give her time. She’s finally come back now, but at the time she just never handled the inoculations. She’s been up to 1500m, but 1000m to 1300m is probably her best range of distance. The draw (number one barrier) helped and he (Tony Pattillo) rode her well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Buddha Babe was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon prior to the race and cleared to start. Alf On The Run, which reared over in the barriers, was declared a late scratching at 4.07 pm on veterinary advice. Trainer S. Mackinnon was advised that a warning would be placed on Alf On The Run regarding its barrier manners. Buddha Babe (A. Spinks), Disastrous (G. Baker) and Reonmay (D. Craven) were all tightened for room at the start between Lunacampo (N. Thomas) and Craiglea Maiden (A. Pattillo), which shifted out. Reonmay and Disastrous both lost ground in this incident. Lions And Dragons (A. Merritt) was tightened for room at the start between YUKETAN (E. Wilkinson) and Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers), both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 1000m, Lions And Dragons (A. Merritt), which commenced to over-race and Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) were both tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing between Lunacampo (N. Thomas), which shifted out, and Yuketan (E. Wilkinson), which shifted in. Lions And Dragons then continued to over-race until leaving the 800m when it hung out across the heels of Clickgothespears (K. Pope) and had to be checked. L. Manzelman, trainer of Lions And Dragons, was advised that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Nearing the 800m, when the pace slackened, Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) commenced to over-race on the heels of Reonmay (D. Craven). Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) had difficulty obtaining clear running from the 500m until approaching the 200m. Clickgothespears (K. Pope) and Yuketan (E. Wilkinson) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Buddha Babe revealed the gelding had sustained a small laceration to the near hind leg. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Lunacampo had been galloped on on the off hind leg.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Damashqui; 2nd - Spirto Gentil; 3rd - Don Carmello
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “He’s racing well. We dropped him back in distance because he just never finished the mile off last time. He might be a 1400m horse, but we will give him a try over the mile again.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
App. Jockey J. Jones was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagement on Cooly Road and was replaced by apprentice A. Taylor. Cooly Road (A. Taylor) was slow to begin. Mr Solidarity (E. Wilkinson) jumped away awkwardly. Seven Dwarfs (H. Hamada) jumped with its head in the air and lost ground. Leaving the 1200m, Seven Dwarfs (H. Hamada) and Cooly Road (A. Taylor) both over-raced and had to be steadied. Approaching the 600m, Spirito Gentil (B. Pengelly) was forced to shift wider on the track to avoid the heels of the tiring Competitive Edge and in doing so shifted Sir Reason (R. Stewart) wider on the track. Spirito Gentil (B. Pengelly) raced wide from this point onwards. Nearing the 400m, Mr Solitary was momentarily tightened for room between Spirito Gentil and Howgoodsthat (K. Pope), which shifted out slightly. Nearing the 200m, E. Wilkinson, rider of Mr Solitary, accidentally dropped his whip. Mr Solitary (E. Wilkinson) and Sir Reason (R. Stewart) raced wide throughout. Spirito Gentil lost its off-fore plate in running. A post-race veterinary examination of Competitive Edge revealed the colt had a minor abrasion to the off nostril and a minor laceration to the inside of the off-fore cannon. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Howgoodsthat, which commenced to lose ground from the 400m, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer J. Walk was advised he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Howgoodsthat prior to its next race start. Jockey B. Pengelly pleaded guilty to a charge under AR145 in that he returned to scale overweight on Spirito Gentil. B. Pengelly was fined the sum of $500.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners, Fantastic Carat, Quingilly.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Training partnership Messrs B. and J. McLachlan pleaded guilty to a charge under LR43, in that Jo Borg, Ron Hansen and Bronwyn Latcham were all employed at their stable facility on the morning of 3 February when unlicensed. The training partnership of B & J. McLachlan was fined the sum of $300. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account the exemplary record of this training partnership.
Trainer Mr M. Mair pleaded guilty to a charge under LR43 in that Ms Sharron Jolly was employed at his stage facility on 3 February when unlicensed. Mr Mair was fined the sum of $100. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account Mr Mair's unblemished record regarding this rule.
Race 1:
Class 1 Handicap - 2000m
1st - Brilliant Ween; 2nd - Fantastic Carat; 3rd - Lion Blanc
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Facoory: “When he’s on the track he is ready to race. But prior to being saddled and everything else, like when you try and saddle him, he’s a bit of a maniac. Maybe it is the adrenaline started to flow. Look at him now (as the horse was returning to scale). Look at him throwing his head up now ...and there again. But he has put two-in-a-row together now so there’s not much wrong with the way he is going on the track.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “He was quite worked up. He was already hot and sweaty beforehand so I just took him around with the pony. I didn’t give him much of a warm-up because he was already pretty warm. I just tried to reserve him that little bit more today (last time, at Ipswich, Brilliant Ween raced away to a sizeable early lead) because he was quite wound up already. But the difference today was I had a horse come up outside me at the 500m and I slapped my horse, just to start get it rolling, you know. I had a few looks and I knew I had them off the bit a little bit ... not right off the bit like the other day, but I knew Ihad things going in my favour. When we were travelling well at the 200m I was confident we had it won.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT: Crocodile Lass (B. Evans) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with Lion Blanc (E. Wilkinson), which had been slow to begin.
Race 2:
3yo & Up CG&E Maiden Handicap - 1100m
1st - Cheapskaterubi; 2nd - Maali; 3rd - Gold Land
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Peoples: “I’ve battled with him a little bit. He has had leg problems and we have sort of just keep patching him up all the time. They went fairly fast early today which helped us. I wanted him up there, but I said to Owen (Turpin) if they go fast early, he’ll settle for you. That’s how it panned out and Owen rode a good race.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “The race form showed there wasn’t a whole lot of pace in the race. There was a couple that had a little bit of pace, but nothing quite like we imagined, because they did jump and go quite fast. I just took a backward seat. When we came to the 500m I just allowed my horse to roll forward and just pop out one. I had the opportunity to pop out one and sit three wide as we hit the corner and give him a clear run all the way home. Then it was up to him. I think the frontrunners might have went a bit too hard and I was happy to sit where I was. Just that last 100m they sort of hit the wall and I I kept coming. That was it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cheapskaterubi (O. Turpin) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with Grillita’s Secret (M. Hughes), which was slow to begin. All Kiwi (A. Merritt), Icerullah (J. Bowditch) and Comeonwillie (N. Thomas) were all tightened for room at the start between Gold Land (M. Heagney), which shifted out, and Maali (B. Payne), which shifted in after jumping away awkwardly. All Kiwi lost its position as a result. Approaching the 800m, Maali (B. Payne) was forced to steady to avoid the heels of Top Resource (R. Stewart), which shifted in. A short distance later, Top Resource continued to shift in, causing Gold Land (M. Heagney) to be steadied to avoid heels. Jockey R. Stewart, rider of Top Resource, was reprimanded for this incident. For a short distance leaving the 800m, All Kiwi was inclined to hang out. Nearing the 700m when the pace steadied, Gold Land commenced to over-race and as a result was forced to shift out to avoid heels, forcing Maali (B. Payne) wider on the track. Maali raced wide from that point onwards. Prince Roamanico (A. Taylor) and Grillita’s Secret (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
Race 3:
3yo & Up F&M Maiden Plate - 1100m
1st - Yeah Good; 2nd - Mysterious Girl; 3rd - Quingilly
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Walk: “Yeah, she likes this track. I gave her a run on it before in a Class 1 (as a Maiden) and she ran alright that day. This is her sort of distance. We tried her over further before and that didn’t really work. We gave her a spell and she’s come back well. I thought she would be hard to beat. She’s been a nightmare for her owners and they deserve every win they get for the way they have kept trying with her. She’s done a lot of things wrong, so they’ve done well to get here.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fortynil (M. Hughes) was slow to begin. Quingilly (T. Treichel) jumped away awkwardly, losing ground. Near the 900m, Get Jazz (W. Clasohm) was forced to steady when tightened for room to the inside of Quingelly, which was taken in by Mile High Mistress (D. Craven). D. Craven, rider of Mile High Mistress, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in future. Queens Of The Storm (D. Gill), Miss Bickie (A. Badger) and Bella Principessa all raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Mile High Mistress revealed the horse to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer B. Baldwin was advised that he must produce a veterinary clearance for the filly prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - In Rehearsal; 2nd - Nevada Gambler; 3rd - Malta
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “Last time the other one (Nevada Gambler) rushed away and I think they all thought it would come back them and it didn’t. We were flying at the finish there, but went down by a short-neck. We met again here, but they rode it differently today. We were in touch and he proved that he could handle the Cushion track which is good. It gives us another option. We’ll probably push him up in distance now. He has won over 1800m before and we’ll probably push up to 2000m.”
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin (who completed a hat trick on the day to add to the two winners he had at the track at its inaugural night meeting on Saturday night): “I knew the other horse wouldn’t lead on the Cushion track the way it did last time. It never does. I thought well, I’d be able to just jump out and ride the horse at my own pace. After the jump I just popped him out one off the rail, because I was last anyway. I popped up outside Nevada Gambler knowing that Nevada Gambler was going to take off early at the 600m. I then just sat on my horse and held him in until the straight. Around the 450m I started letting him slide and he finished off great. The stable turned the horse out beautifully and I just want to say to Jason and Bruce (McLachlan) how much I appreciate the rides they give me.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
In Rehearsal (O. Turpin) was slow to begin. Semi Wells (B. Evans) was momentarily held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Stewards questioned both apprentice A. Badger and trainer B. Gill in relation to the tactics adopted on Nevada Gambler. Apprentice Badger stated her instructions were to ride the horse in a forward position, however after travelling a short distance, it was clear she was not going to be able to hold such a position as horses to her outside were showing significant early speed, and she elected therefore to take hold and take a sit. Trainer Mr B. Gill confirmed these instructions, however stated that he was not entirely surprised the Nevada Gambler was not able to hold the lead as, in his opinion, there was more pace in this event than at the horse's previous start.
Race 5:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1600m
1st - Pop Legend; 2nd - Lapetus; 3rd - Real Grand
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gina Roberts: “He hasn’t performed badly in recent starts, but he just doesn’t appreciate heavy ground. He’s definitely better on top of the ground. He gets through the heavy going but he’s not comfortable in it. We just had no choice. There are not a lot of suitable races around. It’s taken a while with him. He ran fourth in his first start as a three-year-old at the Gold Coast, but he bowed his tendon so hence, we lost a couple of years because he has done it twice. He had two years off and it’s just taken a long time for him to come back. Being an older horse, he just needed racing. You know last start, ok that was on a heavy track, and this one, it’s probably the fittest he’s ever been.
“I did have a bit of confidence in him coming right, that’s why I persevered with him. He’s always shown a bit of ability and I think he will win a couple of more races. When they can get a bit of ground it’s a bit easier. Staying races are not that hard. I think he’ll get 2000m or maybe even further, you know. He had to chase down the winner today. He always tries hard and his determination helped get him there. Kenji (Yoshida) did well. He rides all my work and I’ve got to support him.”
Jockey Kenji Yoshida: “At the top of the straight I wasn’t sure if I could run down the leader (Lapetus) because he had kicked away by four or five lengths. At the 200m, my horse started making ground and was closing the gap. From there I was pretty sure I would win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ausbred Icon (A. Merritt) and Fleischmans Rocket (W. Clasohm) were slow to begin. Dane Raider (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Biscays Best (R. Stewart), which raced wide in the early stages, over-raced for a short distance leaving the 1400m. Approaching the 400m, Slip Up (M. Hughes) shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so made heavy contact with Pop Legend (K. Yoshida), causing both horses to become unbalanced. Real Grand raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Fast Horse, which tailed off, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 6:
3yo QTIS Maiden Handicap - 1000m
1st - Trail Of Secrets; 2nd - Easy Play; 3rd - Kalinga Lady
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: (The McLachlan stable completed a treble on the day). “She is a really lightly framed filly. She showed us a lot early ... but she has taken so long to mature. We’ve had to turn her out a few times. She’s shown a lot of potential on the track and she just needs to strengthen up. She will get stronger. She is a late maturing filly. A couple of times I thought she could win. She wasn’t strong enough. She’ll make it at the end of the day. Give her another twelve months and she will be a nice filly.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Easy Play (J. Jones) was slow to begin. Near the 600m, Easy Play improved up on to the heels of Dodge County (O. Turpin) and had to be steadied. Easy Play was then held up for clear running until leaving the 400m. Pegunny Theatre (J. Bowditch) was buffeted at the start between Stickman (W. Clasohm) and Trail Of Secrets (N. Thomas), both of which shifted ground. Dodge County (O. Turpin) was inclined to hang out from the 500m onwards. Stickman and Galaxy Stalker (M. Hughes) raced wide throughout.
Race 7:
Class 3 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Craiglea Maiden; 2nd - Yuketan; 3rd - Larry's Boy
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Fleming: “That’s her third run this prep. Before that she was out for eleven months because she suffered badly from EI and never really recovered from the inoculations. We just had to give her time. She’s finally come back now, but at the time she just never handled the inoculations. She’s been up to 1500m, but 1000m to 1300m is probably her best range of distance. The draw (number one barrier) helped and he (Tony Pattillo) rode her well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Buddha Babe was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon prior to the race and cleared to start. Alf On The Run, which reared over in the barriers, was declared a late scratching at 4.07 pm on veterinary advice. Trainer S. Mackinnon was advised that a warning would be placed on Alf On The Run regarding its barrier manners. Buddha Babe (A. Spinks), Disastrous (G. Baker) and Reonmay (D. Craven) were all tightened for room at the start between Lunacampo (N. Thomas) and Craiglea Maiden (A. Pattillo), which shifted out. Reonmay and Disastrous both lost ground in this incident. Lions And Dragons (A. Merritt) was tightened for room at the start between YUKETAN (E. Wilkinson) and Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers), both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 1000m, Lions And Dragons (A. Merritt), which commenced to over-race and Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) were both tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing between Lunacampo (N. Thomas), which shifted out, and Yuketan (E. Wilkinson), which shifted in. Lions And Dragons then continued to over-race until leaving the 800m when it hung out across the heels of Clickgothespears (K. Pope) and had to be checked. L. Manzelman, trainer of Lions And Dragons, was advised that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Nearing the 800m, when the pace slackened, Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) commenced to over-race on the heels of Reonmay (D. Craven). Larry’s Boy (T. Chambers) had difficulty obtaining clear running from the 500m until approaching the 200m. Clickgothespears (K. Pope) and Yuketan (E. Wilkinson) raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination of Buddha Babe revealed the gelding had sustained a small laceration to the near hind leg. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Lunacampo had been galloped on on the off hind leg.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Damashqui; 2nd - Spirto Gentil; 3rd - Don Carmello
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Co-trainer Bruce McLachlan: “He’s racing well. We dropped him back in distance because he just never finished the mile off last time. He might be a 1400m horse, but we will give him a try over the mile again.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
App. Jockey J. Jones was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagement on Cooly Road and was replaced by apprentice A. Taylor. Cooly Road (A. Taylor) was slow to begin. Mr Solidarity (E. Wilkinson) jumped away awkwardly. Seven Dwarfs (H. Hamada) jumped with its head in the air and lost ground. Leaving the 1200m, Seven Dwarfs (H. Hamada) and Cooly Road (A. Taylor) both over-raced and had to be steadied. Approaching the 600m, Spirito Gentil (B. Pengelly) was forced to shift wider on the track to avoid the heels of the tiring Competitive Edge and in doing so shifted Sir Reason (R. Stewart) wider on the track. Spirito Gentil (B. Pengelly) raced wide from this point onwards. Nearing the 400m, Mr Solitary was momentarily tightened for room between Spirito Gentil and Howgoodsthat (K. Pope), which shifted out slightly. Nearing the 200m, E. Wilkinson, rider of Mr Solitary, accidentally dropped his whip. Mr Solitary (E. Wilkinson) and Sir Reason (R. Stewart) raced wide throughout. Spirito Gentil lost its off-fore plate in running. A post-race veterinary examination of Competitive Edge revealed the colt had a minor abrasion to the off nostril and a minor laceration to the inside of the off-fore cannon. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Howgoodsthat, which commenced to lose ground from the 400m, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer J. Walk was advised he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Howgoodsthat prior to its next race start. Jockey B. Pengelly pleaded guilty to a charge under AR145 in that he returned to scale overweight on Spirito Gentil. B. Pengelly was fined the sum of $500.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners, Fantastic Carat, Quingilly.
Monday, February 23, 2009
DOOMBEN REVIEW (SAT, FEB 21)
A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Saturday, February 21.
Race 1:
2yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m
1st - Umanugget; 2nd - Captain Sonador; 3rd - Released
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Gentle: “I think he could have won his first start if he had drawn a barrier. He went back to third last and had to come around them in his first start in a race and he’d only had one trial. Sarge In Charge won that race and he went on to Karaka millions and run second. Sarge In Charge should have won the Karaka Millions and the second or third horse in our race, Motown Lady, ran third in the Magic Millions. So that was a very good effort. Very good form-line.
“In his second start he ran into Streets Away and there is a big wrap on that one. I think the tempo of that race in a five horse field the other day – they ran the first 600m in 37 (seconds) and ran home in 35, didn’t suit him. Also, he got through the (heavy) going there, but didn’t handle it one hundred percent. Today he handled it a lot better obviously. He has got a pretty high cruising speed once he gets going. Behind Streets Away we rode him out the barriers because of the five horse field. I think if he’d have got the same run as Streets Away he’d probably have won the race. Going into that race last start, we were going to go from there straight to Sydney for the Silver Slipper or a race like that. But, then when he got beaten, we went back to the drawing board.
“He’s got the win now so we are back on track. We haven’t finalised any plans yet. He’s still in the Slipper. We’ll go home and think about that. We’ve got a three-year-old we are trying to turn into a two-year-old and it’s only been in the last few weeks that this horse has been drilled down to be a two-year-old. He’s bred to stay. He is by Mossman and the best Mossman has been Excites. He won over a mile, 2000m and was placed in the Derby. Umanugget’s mother won two races over a mile and 2000m at Flemington. So he’s really bred to be a three-year-old and stay, so, although we are trying to turn him into a smart two-year-old, we’ll have to consider all of our options. It’s up in the air if we go down to the Slipper. If we go the Sydney but not go to the Slipper, we can go the Sires and the Champagne Stakes. If we don’t go to Sydney, we’ll probably give him one more run here and then bring him back for the winter.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed slightly due to Craiglea Bella requiring the attention of the farrier and Water Pistol having to be resaddled. Thrillseeker was examined behind the barriers and cleared to race by the veterinary surgeon. No Ransom (A. Taylor) shifted out at the start and brushed Umanugget (S. Seamer). Leaving the 900m Diehard Trying (C. Reith) shifted in and made heavy contact with Released (B. Evans), forcing that horse in on to the rails. C. Reith was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Spinelli (Matthew Palmer), which was caught wide rounding the first turn, was obliged to race wide throughout. Captain Sonador raced three wide throughout. Near the 300m Water Pistol (O. Turpin) shifted out and brushed No Ransom (A. Taylor). Water Pistol again shifted out under pressure in the run to the finish and hampered No Ransom. Passing the 300m Craiglea Bella, when attempting a run between Thrillseeker and Diehard Trying, had to be steadied when Diehard Trying shifted ground when not fully clear. After being steadied, Craiglea Bella then shifted in and made heavy contact with Released. C. Reith, the rider of Diehard Trying, was advised to ensure he is fully clear when shifting ground.
Race 2:
Open Handicap - 2220m
1st - Fort ‘N' Won; 2nd - Take The Plea; 3rd – Fulmonti
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Matthew Dunn (foreman for the Gerald Ryan stable at Murwillumbah): “This result says a lot for the Murwillumbah track doesn’t it. We’ve had ten inches of rain in eight days down there and we haven’t missed a beat in training preparing a horse to win over 2200m. We’ve got a sand track down there that they just need to duplicate and replace all of the all-weather tracks in Australia. It’s amazing, you know. That’s the test, to get stayers ready in those conditions and, like I say, we haven’t missed a beat. The inside sand track at Murwillumbah is amazing. We’ve had three inches over night and you wouldn’t know it. You’ve got no idea. Forget the all-weather tracks. Just copy it.
“It was a good win. He was a good horse when he was young and the only difference between him now and then is that he’s lost the dash he used to have. Because of that we tried to ride him a bit closer. It worked out well. He (Matthew Palmer) rode it perfect. We took the lugging bit off and we put the Kyneton nose band on because we wanted to ride him closer. He works in that every morning. We thought if we had to give him a bit of a squeeze to get there, it can be hard to get him to come back, whereas in that nose band he comes straight back. That’s the reason we put that on.
“As a three-year-old he could have been anything this horse. He’s lost his acceleration. That’s probably the major difference between where he is now and where he was as a three-year-old. He still stays good. There’s another race for him in a fortnight. We’ll just keep chugging away.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m Take The Plea (B. El-Issa) shifted out to improve and made heavy contact with Bell Academy (L. Cassidy). Near the 600m Fulmonti (R. McMahon) had to be steadied momentarily as Take The Plea shifted back towards the rail. On straightening Fulmonti shifted out to improve, forcing the tiring Winsome Loot (O. Turpin) out on to Bell Academy. R. McMahon, the rider of Fulmonti, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts right to the line and ensure that he does not leave himself open to question.
Stewards questioned trainer C. Jordan and jockey R. McMahon as to Fulmonti travelling several lengths off the second-last horse Take The Plea in the early and middle stages of the race. R. McMahon stated that the horse was reluctant to travel in the heavy going in the early stages of the race and did not seem comfortable at any stage. Trainer C. Jordan stated that he felt that the horse did not appear comfortable in the going and he was of the opinion that despite the horse running good races on wet tracks previously, on those occasions it had carried lighter weights than today. The explanation was noted.
Race 3:
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m
1st - Age Of Heroes; 2nd - Meet George; 3rd - Showit
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “He’s a good horse this bloke. His win at the Gold Coast the other day was fantastic. He led and they attacked him and attacked him, but he is a real little fighter. He was beaten ten times, but when they got to the line he’d beaten them by a length. He’s is a good little racehorse. He’s definitely a Winter Carnival horse and I’ll keep him here for that. We won’t go anywhere else with him. I don’t know which races we’ll go for right now. We’ll go for whatever we can win!
“You had to worry about the going today. Everybody has to worry about it when it gets this wet. This is about the wettest track you can run on. He likes the better going, but he got through it. I was worried about the going and I said to Michael (Palmer), you might have to ride him back third or fourth or somewhere so you can get to the outside and give him a good look where he ‘s going. But then he was slow out today and he got into a bit of strife and had to go back and finished up on the fence (from an outside draw). He was back third last. I didn’t think he’d get back that far. But once Michael got him out at the top of the straight, I said he’ll win now. He comes that quickly. He is a very good horse.”
Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “Our plan was to be up in the top four or five, but once we jumped there was a lot more pace than we anticipated. He jumped out fine, but couldn’t muster enough pace to sort of be there, so I was further back than I wanted to be. He was a bit awkward in the going. He didn’t really handle it – but he got through it. He was never really comfortable, but once he straightened up and got him out and had that one clear run at it, he knuckled down and put it in all the way to finish.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Mountain Brew had to be re-plated after it cast a plate. The Crusader (L. Cassidy) jumped out at the start and made contact with Hello Christmas (M. Dorrington). Sharufa (R. Stewart) also jumped out at the start and made contact with Patch’s Express (B. Evans). Mountain Brew (S. Bogenhuber), Kirra Lyn (Matthew Palmer) and Za Magic (S. Scriven) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Leaving the 900M Angelic (A. Pattillo) shifted in and away from Rapid Tricia (B. El-Issa) and cramped Sharufa, Hello Christmas and The Crusader. The Crusader then raced in restricted room and near the 800m had to be checked when racing inside of Angelic, which was taken in by Rapid Tricia. After hearing evidence from the riders, B. El-Issa, the rider of Rapid Tricia, was severely reprimanded under AR. 137(a) and instructed to provide more clearance when crossing. Patch’s Express shifted out under pressure near the 100m and brushed the hind quarters of Mountain Brew. A post-race veterinary examination of Hello Christmas failed to reveal any abnormalities. A post-race veterinary examination of Kirra Lyn revealed the filly to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome.
Race 4:
Open Handicap - 1030m
1st - Heart; 2nd - Sequallan; 3rd - Babinda Half
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice Brent Evans: “Yeah, well I knew he wouldn’t have enough speed to go with them early. We had a good alley and we were always going to be on the fence which we didn’t really want to be. We were on the back of Babinda Half and then, when he peeled off, there was only one place I could go. So I just dug up the rails and went up on the inside. One came to challenge me, but he just kept on finding.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
How Good Is He (A. Spinks) raced three wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Azzaland, jockey G. Baker stated that the horse at no stage seemed comfortable in the heavy going and had failed previously on a heavy track at the Gold Coast. Trainer R. Stephenson agreed with jockey Baker's comments and indicated that the horse would now be immediately spelled.
Stewards questioned jockey A. Spinks, the rider of How Good Is He, in relation to the riding tactics in racing three wide for the entire event. Jockey Spinks stated that his instructions were to go back, however when the pace eased passing the 800m he was caught three wide and the horse had commenced to pull and as there was no significant pace in the middle stages he was then obliged to race three wide. Trainer R. Purcell confirmed the instructions and felt that Spinks may have been a victim of circumstances given the pattern of the race.
Race 5:
Class 6 Plate (Set Weights) - 1640m
1st - Encosta Tszyu; 2nd - Shew Stone; 3rd - Humma
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “He’s a real smart horse this horse. You know, I do odd things with horses. Maybe I’ll bring him - maybe – I’ll bring him back in distance. With the confidence he’s got now to win, he’s showing me he can win 1400m ... and for the times he can run on a good track, you know, I’ve got to look at that and say maybe he is a Stradbroke horse. It might seem silly to say that and then say that the following year I might take him up in distance. I’m not sure yet, but I’ve got options. When I get feelings, I just leave it open.
“The owners have given me a free hand with the horse. He’s a lovely type. When I went out in the paddock. I said, yeah I’ll train him, I’ll win a Stradbroke with him. He is a very smart horse, but you have got to be careful with these horses when they are big and built like he is. He is a sprinter-miler, you know what I mean. If they go along quick on a good track, he’ll track up and he’ll sprint over the top of them. Even when he was gone in the ground today – incidentally, I will not run him on a heavy track again, because I don’t want to ask him to do something he can’t do – even when he looked gone today, he was really trying for me. Once he got off the bit he wasn’t handling it, but he dug deep. That’s what I’ve train him for and everything I’ve done for this horse is to get him to hit the line.
“With the whole of my team, you know I’m doing very nicely because of one reason – Scotty Galloway and the other riders, they are understanding me and they are riding my horses the way I want them to be ridden. I’m just so happy with Scott. You know, he rode Double Or Nothing to three city wins in a row for me from wide draws. The bloke rode for Hawkes all of that time. He is a champion rider unrecognised. Really, a champion rider unrecognised. I’m blessed that he understands me. He comes up and rides work and he understands what I want. It’s great.
”The horse might go out now, but I’m not certain. I’ve got a little secret place where I put them, but I’ll keep that under my hat.”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “From the awkward alley we had to go back and they were walking so I was really concerned. At about the 1100m a couple of horses in front of me pulled hard and shifted out so I was able to get up in behind the leader and that won me the race, you know. From there he just had to finish of well, which he did.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tripitz (B. Evans) was slow to jump. In Phuket (A. Taylor) faltered on jumping away. Shortly after the start In Phuket commenced to over-race and near the 1400m had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Humma (J. Bowditch) which was taken in by Punch Up (J. Taylor). In Phuket then commenced to hang out and passing the 1200m, when over-racing, shifted out forcing Tripitz wider on the track. In Phuket then raced wide for the remainder of the event.
Stewards questioned jockey J. Taylor, the rider of Punch Up, as to his reason for allowing Humma to assume a position outside the leader after leaving the 800m. J. Taylor stated that Punch Up had relaxed when racing outside the leader racing down the back straight, however as a result of the slow pace approaching the 800m, his mount got its head up on at least two occasions and at this point Humma went forward three wide and sprinted quickly. He stated that Punch Up could not sprint with Humma and as a consequence he elected to allow it to cross and trail it forward, however his mount could not maintain its position and only finished the race off fairly. J. Taylor's explanation was noted.
Apprentice Michael Palmer, the rider of Shuffle The Cash, was reprimanded under AR. 137A for using his whip excessively.
Race 6:
4yo and Up Class 6 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Public Nuisance; 2nd - Lucidly; 3rd - More Than Regal
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Louise White: “That’s two out of two for me as a trainer. I’ve been so lucky. Heather (Burgess - who trained the horse when he scored the first success in his current winning sequence) wanted to finish training. I’m friends with her and she trusted me to take the horse over. The horse is a marvel. So easy to train. He loves his work, loves his feed. He’s brilliant ... and he keeps himself happy too. He amuses himself by doing very silly things in the box. He is an absolute pleasure to train.”
Jockey Scott Galloway (who completed a double on the day): “He’s come back a better horse this time in. He has thickened out a bit and just got stronger. He travelled nice. It took him a little while to pick up the leader, but from the 150m I sort of had him covered.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Perugin Thought (B. Stewart) sprung a plate travelling to the barriers and required the attention of the farrier. More Than Regal (S. Seamer) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. More Than Regal and Mr Doyle (S. Scriven) brushed just past the winning post.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1350m
1st - Striking Victory; 2nd - Rightson; 3rd - Watchyerback
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Squaire: “I got a bit of flak for starting him first-up over a mile last time. But I had to do it because there were no races for him. He’d had a virus before that. A bad virus and I had to give him a good break (for nearly four months), but he’d come back strong and needed to run. Today, he had 53kg on his back. I don’t think he’s carried that since he was a foal. I didn’t worry about the barrier (the widest runner) because the horse has got pace. I honestly thought he had a good chance today."
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “Yeah, I’ve only had four winners in town and they’ve both come in doubles. I was always going to go forward and be in the first four. I fired him up out of the gates and I found myself in front. I give him a breather once I got there. Then Larry (Cassidy – on Rightson) come up outside me. The old horse just fought on well. He never had that weight on his back for a long, long time. I didn’t think I would get to the other one when he went away from us. But I just put the whip away and kept riding him and he fought on.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Foolish (A. Pattillo) jumped away awkwardly and missed the start. Slim Pickings (J. Taylor), which jumped away awkwardly, was tightened shortly after the start between Angelo Minny (R. McMahon) and Secrets Untold (B. El-Issa), which jumped inwards.
Jockey R. McMahon, the rider of Angelo Minny, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a), the careless riding being that near the 1200m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Slim Pickings, resulting in Slim Pickings being taken in on to Hello Possums (A. Taylor), which was taken in on to Ice Chariot (P. Wolfgram), which had to be checked. R. McMahon's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Saturday, 21 February, and to expire at midnight on Saturday, 7 March 2009.
Masai Pride (C. McIver) and Secrets Untold raced wide for the majority of the event. Slim Pickings was momentarily held up rounding the home turn on the heels of Masai Pride. Watchyerback (S. Galloway) shifted out abruptly off the heels of Rightson (L. Cassidy) on the finish line.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Power Express; 2nd - Cool Edition; 3rd - Pertinence
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Andrew Spinks: “I didn’t know about the fall until Larry (Cassidy) came up to me when I passed the crossing and he said there’s been a fall. My horse settled nicely. It took a bit of getting to the front. (Trainer) Bob (Purcell) wanted him to either lead or, if something led, to sit off them – to be up there. But if I had have sat off something, I would have been about three or four wide so I just went to the front. He settled nice. I didn’t sort of touch him until we really straightened up and then he kicked going down off the hill. On wet tracks you can get away with things. If you get a big enough break on them they can struggle to pick you up.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bernado (Matthew Palmer) was tightened on jumping away between Jachaze (B. Evans) and Power Express (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Shortly after being tightened Bernado blundered at the heels of Power Express. Yukon Lad (A. Pattillo) jumped awkwardly. Mataranka (B. El-Issa), which was caught four deep on the first turn, was obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event.
Stewards intended to open an inquiry into the reason for Mataranka (B. El-Issa) suffering interference on the home turn. After hearing submissions from all parties, the inquiry was adjourned to one hour before the first race on Wednesday, 25 February, unless otherwise amended, to enable apprentice B. Evans to have representation.
Near the 300m Icedane (S. Drake), which was full of running, fell when jockey S. Drake attempted to position her mount into a run between Cuban Dancer (S. Seamer) and Shudule Gee (L. Rolls) where there was not fully sufficient room and as a consequence Icedane made contact with the hind quarters of Shudule Gee and fell. After taking into account the circumstances, direct blame was not attributed to any particular rider. However, S. Drake was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether her actions were careless in the circumstances. When Icedane fell Yukon Lad, Fissile (J. Taylor), Magique Mine (J. Bowditch) and Go The Red (C. Reith) were all checked to varying degrees.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Lucidly, Public Nuisance, Watchyerback, Slim Pickings, Yukon Lad, Pertinence, Perugin Thought, Punch Up, Za Magic, Mountain Brew, Encosta Tszyu, How Good Is He.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners and 2nd placegetters in Races 1 to 4, 6.
Race 1:
2yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m
1st - Umanugget; 2nd - Captain Sonador; 3rd - Released
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Gentle: “I think he could have won his first start if he had drawn a barrier. He went back to third last and had to come around them in his first start in a race and he’d only had one trial. Sarge In Charge won that race and he went on to Karaka millions and run second. Sarge In Charge should have won the Karaka Millions and the second or third horse in our race, Motown Lady, ran third in the Magic Millions. So that was a very good effort. Very good form-line.
“In his second start he ran into Streets Away and there is a big wrap on that one. I think the tempo of that race in a five horse field the other day – they ran the first 600m in 37 (seconds) and ran home in 35, didn’t suit him. Also, he got through the (heavy) going there, but didn’t handle it one hundred percent. Today he handled it a lot better obviously. He has got a pretty high cruising speed once he gets going. Behind Streets Away we rode him out the barriers because of the five horse field. I think if he’d have got the same run as Streets Away he’d probably have won the race. Going into that race last start, we were going to go from there straight to Sydney for the Silver Slipper or a race like that. But, then when he got beaten, we went back to the drawing board.
“He’s got the win now so we are back on track. We haven’t finalised any plans yet. He’s still in the Slipper. We’ll go home and think about that. We’ve got a three-year-old we are trying to turn into a two-year-old and it’s only been in the last few weeks that this horse has been drilled down to be a two-year-old. He’s bred to stay. He is by Mossman and the best Mossman has been Excites. He won over a mile, 2000m and was placed in the Derby. Umanugget’s mother won two races over a mile and 2000m at Flemington. So he’s really bred to be a three-year-old and stay, so, although we are trying to turn him into a smart two-year-old, we’ll have to consider all of our options. It’s up in the air if we go down to the Slipper. If we go the Sydney but not go to the Slipper, we can go the Sires and the Champagne Stakes. If we don’t go to Sydney, we’ll probably give him one more run here and then bring him back for the winter.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed slightly due to Craiglea Bella requiring the attention of the farrier and Water Pistol having to be resaddled. Thrillseeker was examined behind the barriers and cleared to race by the veterinary surgeon. No Ransom (A. Taylor) shifted out at the start and brushed Umanugget (S. Seamer). Leaving the 900m Diehard Trying (C. Reith) shifted in and made heavy contact with Released (B. Evans), forcing that horse in on to the rails. C. Reith was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Spinelli (Matthew Palmer), which was caught wide rounding the first turn, was obliged to race wide throughout. Captain Sonador raced three wide throughout. Near the 300m Water Pistol (O. Turpin) shifted out and brushed No Ransom (A. Taylor). Water Pistol again shifted out under pressure in the run to the finish and hampered No Ransom. Passing the 300m Craiglea Bella, when attempting a run between Thrillseeker and Diehard Trying, had to be steadied when Diehard Trying shifted ground when not fully clear. After being steadied, Craiglea Bella then shifted in and made heavy contact with Released. C. Reith, the rider of Diehard Trying, was advised to ensure he is fully clear when shifting ground.
Race 2:
Open Handicap - 2220m
1st - Fort ‘N' Won; 2nd - Take The Plea; 3rd – Fulmonti
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Matthew Dunn (foreman for the Gerald Ryan stable at Murwillumbah): “This result says a lot for the Murwillumbah track doesn’t it. We’ve had ten inches of rain in eight days down there and we haven’t missed a beat in training preparing a horse to win over 2200m. We’ve got a sand track down there that they just need to duplicate and replace all of the all-weather tracks in Australia. It’s amazing, you know. That’s the test, to get stayers ready in those conditions and, like I say, we haven’t missed a beat. The inside sand track at Murwillumbah is amazing. We’ve had three inches over night and you wouldn’t know it. You’ve got no idea. Forget the all-weather tracks. Just copy it.
“It was a good win. He was a good horse when he was young and the only difference between him now and then is that he’s lost the dash he used to have. Because of that we tried to ride him a bit closer. It worked out well. He (Matthew Palmer) rode it perfect. We took the lugging bit off and we put the Kyneton nose band on because we wanted to ride him closer. He works in that every morning. We thought if we had to give him a bit of a squeeze to get there, it can be hard to get him to come back, whereas in that nose band he comes straight back. That’s the reason we put that on.
“As a three-year-old he could have been anything this horse. He’s lost his acceleration. That’s probably the major difference between where he is now and where he was as a three-year-old. He still stays good. There’s another race for him in a fortnight. We’ll just keep chugging away.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 700m Take The Plea (B. El-Issa) shifted out to improve and made heavy contact with Bell Academy (L. Cassidy). Near the 600m Fulmonti (R. McMahon) had to be steadied momentarily as Take The Plea shifted back towards the rail. On straightening Fulmonti shifted out to improve, forcing the tiring Winsome Loot (O. Turpin) out on to Bell Academy. R. McMahon, the rider of Fulmonti, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts right to the line and ensure that he does not leave himself open to question.
Stewards questioned trainer C. Jordan and jockey R. McMahon as to Fulmonti travelling several lengths off the second-last horse Take The Plea in the early and middle stages of the race. R. McMahon stated that the horse was reluctant to travel in the heavy going in the early stages of the race and did not seem comfortable at any stage. Trainer C. Jordan stated that he felt that the horse did not appear comfortable in the going and he was of the opinion that despite the horse running good races on wet tracks previously, on those occasions it had carried lighter weights than today. The explanation was noted.
Race 3:
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m
1st - Age Of Heroes; 2nd - Meet George; 3rd - Showit
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “He’s a good horse this bloke. His win at the Gold Coast the other day was fantastic. He led and they attacked him and attacked him, but he is a real little fighter. He was beaten ten times, but when they got to the line he’d beaten them by a length. He’s is a good little racehorse. He’s definitely a Winter Carnival horse and I’ll keep him here for that. We won’t go anywhere else with him. I don’t know which races we’ll go for right now. We’ll go for whatever we can win!
“You had to worry about the going today. Everybody has to worry about it when it gets this wet. This is about the wettest track you can run on. He likes the better going, but he got through it. I was worried about the going and I said to Michael (Palmer), you might have to ride him back third or fourth or somewhere so you can get to the outside and give him a good look where he ‘s going. But then he was slow out today and he got into a bit of strife and had to go back and finished up on the fence (from an outside draw). He was back third last. I didn’t think he’d get back that far. But once Michael got him out at the top of the straight, I said he’ll win now. He comes that quickly. He is a very good horse.”
Apprentice jockey Michael Palmer: “Our plan was to be up in the top four or five, but once we jumped there was a lot more pace than we anticipated. He jumped out fine, but couldn’t muster enough pace to sort of be there, so I was further back than I wanted to be. He was a bit awkward in the going. He didn’t really handle it – but he got through it. He was never really comfortable, but once he straightened up and got him out and had that one clear run at it, he knuckled down and put it in all the way to finish.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Mountain Brew had to be re-plated after it cast a plate. The Crusader (L. Cassidy) jumped out at the start and made contact with Hello Christmas (M. Dorrington). Sharufa (R. Stewart) also jumped out at the start and made contact with Patch’s Express (B. Evans). Mountain Brew (S. Bogenhuber), Kirra Lyn (Matthew Palmer) and Za Magic (S. Scriven) all raced wide for the majority of the event. Leaving the 900M Angelic (A. Pattillo) shifted in and away from Rapid Tricia (B. El-Issa) and cramped Sharufa, Hello Christmas and The Crusader. The Crusader then raced in restricted room and near the 800m had to be checked when racing inside of Angelic, which was taken in by Rapid Tricia. After hearing evidence from the riders, B. El-Issa, the rider of Rapid Tricia, was severely reprimanded under AR. 137(a) and instructed to provide more clearance when crossing. Patch’s Express shifted out under pressure near the 100m and brushed the hind quarters of Mountain Brew. A post-race veterinary examination of Hello Christmas failed to reveal any abnormalities. A post-race veterinary examination of Kirra Lyn revealed the filly to be suffering metabolic heat syndrome.
Race 4:
Open Handicap - 1030m
1st - Heart; 2nd - Sequallan; 3rd - Babinda Half
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice Brent Evans: “Yeah, well I knew he wouldn’t have enough speed to go with them early. We had a good alley and we were always going to be on the fence which we didn’t really want to be. We were on the back of Babinda Half and then, when he peeled off, there was only one place I could go. So I just dug up the rails and went up on the inside. One came to challenge me, but he just kept on finding.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
How Good Is He (A. Spinks) raced three wide throughout.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Azzaland, jockey G. Baker stated that the horse at no stage seemed comfortable in the heavy going and had failed previously on a heavy track at the Gold Coast. Trainer R. Stephenson agreed with jockey Baker's comments and indicated that the horse would now be immediately spelled.
Stewards questioned jockey A. Spinks, the rider of How Good Is He, in relation to the riding tactics in racing three wide for the entire event. Jockey Spinks stated that his instructions were to go back, however when the pace eased passing the 800m he was caught three wide and the horse had commenced to pull and as there was no significant pace in the middle stages he was then obliged to race three wide. Trainer R. Purcell confirmed the instructions and felt that Spinks may have been a victim of circumstances given the pattern of the race.
Race 5:
Class 6 Plate (Set Weights) - 1640m
1st - Encosta Tszyu; 2nd - Shew Stone; 3rd - Humma
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “He’s a real smart horse this horse. You know, I do odd things with horses. Maybe I’ll bring him - maybe – I’ll bring him back in distance. With the confidence he’s got now to win, he’s showing me he can win 1400m ... and for the times he can run on a good track, you know, I’ve got to look at that and say maybe he is a Stradbroke horse. It might seem silly to say that and then say that the following year I might take him up in distance. I’m not sure yet, but I’ve got options. When I get feelings, I just leave it open.
“The owners have given me a free hand with the horse. He’s a lovely type. When I went out in the paddock. I said, yeah I’ll train him, I’ll win a Stradbroke with him. He is a very smart horse, but you have got to be careful with these horses when they are big and built like he is. He is a sprinter-miler, you know what I mean. If they go along quick on a good track, he’ll track up and he’ll sprint over the top of them. Even when he was gone in the ground today – incidentally, I will not run him on a heavy track again, because I don’t want to ask him to do something he can’t do – even when he looked gone today, he was really trying for me. Once he got off the bit he wasn’t handling it, but he dug deep. That’s what I’ve train him for and everything I’ve done for this horse is to get him to hit the line.
“With the whole of my team, you know I’m doing very nicely because of one reason – Scotty Galloway and the other riders, they are understanding me and they are riding my horses the way I want them to be ridden. I’m just so happy with Scott. You know, he rode Double Or Nothing to three city wins in a row for me from wide draws. The bloke rode for Hawkes all of that time. He is a champion rider unrecognised. Really, a champion rider unrecognised. I’m blessed that he understands me. He comes up and rides work and he understands what I want. It’s great.
”The horse might go out now, but I’m not certain. I’ve got a little secret place where I put them, but I’ll keep that under my hat.”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “From the awkward alley we had to go back and they were walking so I was really concerned. At about the 1100m a couple of horses in front of me pulled hard and shifted out so I was able to get up in behind the leader and that won me the race, you know. From there he just had to finish of well, which he did.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Tripitz (B. Evans) was slow to jump. In Phuket (A. Taylor) faltered on jumping away. Shortly after the start In Phuket commenced to over-race and near the 1400m had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Humma (J. Bowditch) which was taken in by Punch Up (J. Taylor). In Phuket then commenced to hang out and passing the 1200m, when over-racing, shifted out forcing Tripitz wider on the track. In Phuket then raced wide for the remainder of the event.
Stewards questioned jockey J. Taylor, the rider of Punch Up, as to his reason for allowing Humma to assume a position outside the leader after leaving the 800m. J. Taylor stated that Punch Up had relaxed when racing outside the leader racing down the back straight, however as a result of the slow pace approaching the 800m, his mount got its head up on at least two occasions and at this point Humma went forward three wide and sprinted quickly. He stated that Punch Up could not sprint with Humma and as a consequence he elected to allow it to cross and trail it forward, however his mount could not maintain its position and only finished the race off fairly. J. Taylor's explanation was noted.
Apprentice Michael Palmer, the rider of Shuffle The Cash, was reprimanded under AR. 137A for using his whip excessively.
Race 6:
4yo and Up Class 6 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Public Nuisance; 2nd - Lucidly; 3rd - More Than Regal
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Louise White: “That’s two out of two for me as a trainer. I’ve been so lucky. Heather (Burgess - who trained the horse when he scored the first success in his current winning sequence) wanted to finish training. I’m friends with her and she trusted me to take the horse over. The horse is a marvel. So easy to train. He loves his work, loves his feed. He’s brilliant ... and he keeps himself happy too. He amuses himself by doing very silly things in the box. He is an absolute pleasure to train.”
Jockey Scott Galloway (who completed a double on the day): “He’s come back a better horse this time in. He has thickened out a bit and just got stronger. He travelled nice. It took him a little while to pick up the leader, but from the 150m I sort of had him covered.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Perugin Thought (B. Stewart) sprung a plate travelling to the barriers and required the attention of the farrier. More Than Regal (S. Seamer) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. More Than Regal and Mr Doyle (S. Scriven) brushed just past the winning post.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1350m
1st - Striking Victory; 2nd - Rightson; 3rd - Watchyerback
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Squaire: “I got a bit of flak for starting him first-up over a mile last time. But I had to do it because there were no races for him. He’d had a virus before that. A bad virus and I had to give him a good break (for nearly four months), but he’d come back strong and needed to run. Today, he had 53kg on his back. I don’t think he’s carried that since he was a foal. I didn’t worry about the barrier (the widest runner) because the horse has got pace. I honestly thought he had a good chance today."
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “Yeah, I’ve only had four winners in town and they’ve both come in doubles. I was always going to go forward and be in the first four. I fired him up out of the gates and I found myself in front. I give him a breather once I got there. Then Larry (Cassidy – on Rightson) come up outside me. The old horse just fought on well. He never had that weight on his back for a long, long time. I didn’t think I would get to the other one when he went away from us. But I just put the whip away and kept riding him and he fought on.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Foolish (A. Pattillo) jumped away awkwardly and missed the start. Slim Pickings (J. Taylor), which jumped away awkwardly, was tightened shortly after the start between Angelo Minny (R. McMahon) and Secrets Untold (B. El-Issa), which jumped inwards.
Jockey R. McMahon, the rider of Angelo Minny, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a), the careless riding being that near the 1200m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Slim Pickings, resulting in Slim Pickings being taken in on to Hello Possums (A. Taylor), which was taken in on to Ice Chariot (P. Wolfgram), which had to be checked. R. McMahon's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Saturday, 21 February, and to expire at midnight on Saturday, 7 March 2009.
Masai Pride (C. McIver) and Secrets Untold raced wide for the majority of the event. Slim Pickings was momentarily held up rounding the home turn on the heels of Masai Pride. Watchyerback (S. Galloway) shifted out abruptly off the heels of Rightson (L. Cassidy) on the finish line.
Race 8:
NMW Handicap - 1350m
1st - Power Express; 2nd - Cool Edition; 3rd - Pertinence
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Andrew Spinks: “I didn’t know about the fall until Larry (Cassidy) came up to me when I passed the crossing and he said there’s been a fall. My horse settled nicely. It took a bit of getting to the front. (Trainer) Bob (Purcell) wanted him to either lead or, if something led, to sit off them – to be up there. But if I had have sat off something, I would have been about three or four wide so I just went to the front. He settled nice. I didn’t sort of touch him until we really straightened up and then he kicked going down off the hill. On wet tracks you can get away with things. If you get a big enough break on them they can struggle to pick you up.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bernado (Matthew Palmer) was tightened on jumping away between Jachaze (B. Evans) and Power Express (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Shortly after being tightened Bernado blundered at the heels of Power Express. Yukon Lad (A. Pattillo) jumped awkwardly. Mataranka (B. El-Issa), which was caught four deep on the first turn, was obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event.
Stewards intended to open an inquiry into the reason for Mataranka (B. El-Issa) suffering interference on the home turn. After hearing submissions from all parties, the inquiry was adjourned to one hour before the first race on Wednesday, 25 February, unless otherwise amended, to enable apprentice B. Evans to have representation.
Near the 300m Icedane (S. Drake), which was full of running, fell when jockey S. Drake attempted to position her mount into a run between Cuban Dancer (S. Seamer) and Shudule Gee (L. Rolls) where there was not fully sufficient room and as a consequence Icedane made contact with the hind quarters of Shudule Gee and fell. After taking into account the circumstances, direct blame was not attributed to any particular rider. However, S. Drake was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether her actions were careless in the circumstances. When Icedane fell Yukon Lad, Fissile (J. Taylor), Magique Mine (J. Bowditch) and Go The Red (C. Reith) were all checked to varying degrees.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Lucidly, Public Nuisance, Watchyerback, Slim Pickings, Yukon Lad, Pertinence, Perugin Thought, Punch Up, Za Magic, Mountain Brew, Encosta Tszyu, How Good Is He.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners and 2nd placegetters in Races 1 to 4, 6.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
DOOMBEN REVIEW (WED, FEB 18)
A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, February 18.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Jockey M. Bennett was fined $200 for failing to produce a medical clearance to resume riding as required.
Race 1:
2yo Maiden Handicap - 1110m
1st - Sweepstaking; 2nd - Manhattan Angel; 3rd - Fragrant Star
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “She had a really small saddle on her. She hasn’t had one like that on before. I think that troubled her, and that was why she played up before the start. She’s not at all like that at home – she is not fractious at all - so something just disturbed her here today (on debut). She did well to turn things around and get a good result.”
Jockey Brad Stewart: “She was a little bit cantankerous going to the start. Once I got on her again and got her going she seemed to settle down a bit. She did want to get her head up a bit at one stage in the race, but she’s only having her first start, so she’ll be improving I suppose.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sweepstaking): 3.40 out to 3.80 in to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fragrant Star (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Good Emperor (J. Bowditch) jumped outwards at the start, taking Dancingwithangels (D. Craven) out on to Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Near the 800m, Swell (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Manhattan Angel (S. Scriven) and had to be steadied. At the same stage, Dancingwithangels (D. Craven), which commenced to race ungenerously, shifted out, hampering Our Charmaine. Passing the 700m, Sweepstaking (B. Stewart) improved up on to the heels of Sequalo Revenge (T. Pannell) and when being steadied shifted out, hampering Out Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Good Emperor (J. Bowditch), Dancingwithangels and Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy) raced wide throughout.
Race 2:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Local Talent; 2nd - Rogues; 3rd - Catwalk Strut
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “He’s actually owned by a trainer in Macau. Stephen Leung used to be Hong Kong trainer and then he went to Macau. I became friends with him over there and we’ve done business ever since. The horse hurt himself a little bit in the race at Doomben (in his second start, last August). Yeah, he pulled up lame and sore. So he had a fairly long spell then. Last start he just met one too good for him (Love’s A Challenge). He’s come back strong. I don’t know how far he will go. He is a strong horse. I tell you what he might do, he just might be one of those horses who can run a distance. If he can run a distance like that, you know, just bowl along in front, it might be interesting. At some stage we might try him over further.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is a little bit one-paced. The horse goes alright and I think he is getting better, because he’s still a little immature. I think when he gets up over ten furlongs it might suit him because he is very one-paced and there he can just role along at a nice clip.”
And the latest news on how Cassidy’s is coping with his hand injury.
“My fingers are taped today, just to give it some more support. I’m hoping it doesn’t swell up tomorrow. It’s still quite sore. If it swells up tomorrow, well I’ll think about whether I will have the week off after, because I need to get it right. Otherwise it is just going to linger. If I have the week off, I’ll ride the following Saturday. Hopefully that will be enough to get it right, because I know, with the two days, three days I’ve had off, I had it strapped the whole time and it is that much better today. Although that plan obviously depends on whether any further damage occurs today.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Local Talent): 1.30 out to 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Sweet Magic (C. McIver) and Local Talent (L. Cassidy). Near the 600m, Bilinga Bay (B. El-Issa) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart) wider on the track. Rumpapumpum was then obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1630m
1st - Chi Chi Grande; 2nd - Sydney Or The Bush; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Miller: “She had a really bad pelvis injury as a two-year-old. It was a mystery how it happened. A lot of times in the stable a horse can kick out and somehow get its leg caught and hurt its pelvis. We can only guess how it happened. But it was a really bad injury. After a couple of years, we gave her a bit of work, but she got sore somewhere else. We turned her out and retired her. Then one day I was watching her run in the paddock and I phoned one of the part-owners. I said she is going beautiful in the paddock. I then galloped her with some other horses and decided it was worth giving her another go. She was unlucky when finishing second last time. Now she’s got the result here ... and she’ll win more races too, don’t worry about that. Probably give her a spell now and bring her back. She will run further. She is a beautifully bred mare.”
Jockey Andrew Spinks: “She got out at the right time, but I just had to wait probably a few strides before I could get right out. But once she got out she sprinted well. In the end it probably worked out good that we were held up just that little bit as the timing of her run was perfect. She got the measure of the other one pretty easily halfway down the straight, but then inside the last 100m she did have to dig deep as the other one threatened to come at her again. It is an enormous win when you consider she was never meant to race again. She’s probably looking for a spell again now, but she’s done really well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Chi Chi Grande): 2.50 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey B. Pengelly was fined $300 for being overweight on Princess Of Monoco. R. Wiggins was substituted as the rider of that mare. Umhlanga Rocks (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Manziedear (J. Bowditch) got its head up and had to be steadied off the heels of Sydney Or The Bush (J. Taylor) rounding the first turn. Son Of Zaha (K. Banks) raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned G. Baker in regards to his riding of Umhlanga Rocks in the home straight. G. Baker stated that he commenced to improve rounding the home turn, however shortly after was disappointed for a run between Licorice (L. Cassidy), which was weakening, and All Join Hands (N. Thomas), which shifted out. G. Baker added that subsequent to this he was held up behind All Join Hands, which shifted ground forward of him and therefore he was unable to fully test his mount. He further added that when placed under pressure in the latter stages of the straight, Umhlanga Rocks only finished the race off fairly. The explanation was noted.
Race 4:
3yo Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Charter Boat; 2nd - Indy Go Gold; 3rd - Demonstrator
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tracy Green: “I wasn’t that worried about the draw. In fact, he is probably a bit better out there. He got trapped on the fence the other day (on debut) and he over-raced really bad. So, yeah, he is probably a bit better when he has a bit of room. He was four-deep for the trip, so he has done really well. But he is a strong headed little rooster – so he’s going to get gelded now. A think he’ll end up a miler by the look of him, but he’ll go out now. Makes you feel better sending him out for a break with a win under his belt.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “He travelled wide from a wide barrier and he was going too keenly for me to drop back on him, so I just kept him balanced and he did the rest for me.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Charter Boat): 6.00 out to 7.00
Favourite (Demonstrator): 2.80 out to 3.80. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Monching (C. Reith) jumped away awkwardly. Sassafras Boy (L. Cassidy), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Demonstartor (S. Scriven) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins), both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, Monching (C. Reith) shifted in and brushed Diamond Dancer (A. Pattillo). Approaching the 800m, Monching shifted out and hampered Charter Boat. Monching raced wide in the early stages. Leaving the 200m, Monching raced in restricted room for a short distance between Lady Nike (T. Pannell) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins). Regal Prince (K. Banks), Diamond Dancer and Charter Boat raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 5:
F&M Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Taj Paru; 2nd - A little Dabl Doya; 3rd - Manaudou
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Allan Ross: “It’s all good. We’ll give her a blow now. We were going to scratch her because we weren’t totally comfortable about given her a bit of a quick back-up on heavy going, but we thought we’d give her a go on it. And the end of the day it’s all good, but that’s it for now. She’ll definitely go for a blow.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tai Paru): 7.00 out to 11.00
Favourite (Manaudou): 3.00 out to 3.50 in to 3.20. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
French Move (L. Cassidy) was slow to begin. Taj Paru (B. El-Issa) laid in when placed under pressure in the straight, and approaching the 100m shifted in, inconveniencing Train Wreck (S. Seamer). A post-race veterinary examination of Smartaat, which raced wide throughout, failed to reveal an abnormality.
Race 6:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Aquaterra; 2nd - Telesto Warrior; 3rd - De Business
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “He is going well. He was a bit unlucky the other day. They just out-sprinted him. They walked and then out-sprinted him. Today Jason (Taylor) was awake to that possibility and he got going on him and he kept finding. I think he is going to go further, you know, and I think the further he goes the better he is going to be. He handled the going well enough today. He didn’t feature the last time he was on heavy going, but I think that was because he was at the end of his tether then. It was the end of his preparation and he just didn’t put it in. We were a little bit concerned about that but he did race on a dead track the other day and he handled it quite well, so the going was only a little bit of a concern – and when you get the number one alley, it always helps.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “He had a nice run here. The other day he just couldn’t let down as quick as some of the others. Today I got him out, wound him up and he hit the line beautifully.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Aquaterra): 3.50 out to 3.70 in to 3.00.
Favourite (De Business): 2.60 in to 2.40 out to 2.60. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
C. Reith was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagements on Diamond Pursuit and Tolart in race 8. A. Spinks and S. Scriven were substituted as the respective riders of those horses. Chaski (C. McIver) and Telesto Warrior (B. El-Issa) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 500m, De Business (K. Purdy) shifted out, taking Jovelon (R. Wiggins) wider on the track. Diamond Pursuit (A. Spinks) had a tendency to lay in rounding the home turn and had to be steadied away from the heels of Jovelon on several occasions in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Stormy Youth revealed the horse to be exhibiting an abnormal respiratory noise. Trainer B. Dodson was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Stormy Youth, along with the results of an endoscopic examination prior to its next race start.
Race 7:
Class 4 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dardan; 2nd - Hail Free; 3rd - Erembourg
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “We got him from the boys in Melbourne. They said we should try him up here. He’s done well for the owner. I think he has won five up here now, so he has been a good little money-spinner for them. We couldn’t worry about the draw. There was nothing we could do about that. He (Scott Galloway) rode him well. He didn’t have a lot of pace at all and he got back, but Scott just let him run his own race and he came home strong.”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “He normally leads but he showed no pace today, so I just rode him quiet from the wide draw. I just had a nice chuck up three wide from about the 600m there. He was bolting from around the corner, so I was pretty confident that he had them covered.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Dardan): 3.40 in to 3.10 out to3.40.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cherry Gaze (W. Clasohm) jumped away awkwardly and had to be steadied shortly after the start when tightened for room between Lord Lostock (M. Paget) and Winston (S. Scriven). Starman (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 800m, Erembourg (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Winston and had to be steadied. Subtle Glance (R. McMahon) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Red Enzo (M. Heagney), Eternal’s Choice (C. Whiteley), Dardan (S. Galloway) and Breaking The Rules (R. Wiggins) raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 8:
Class 3 Handicap - 1630m
1st - Mauries Pick; 2nd - Tolart; 3rd - Drumshanbo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Clive Sinton: “He’s going real well and Ken (Pope) rode him a treat. He rode him last time as well. We thought the horse might be ready for a spell, because he has been up a while. He has had a few short breaks in-between though, and we can’t let him have a spell when he’s getting these sort of results and while he seems to be enjoying it so much.”
Jockey Ken Pope: “I thought it would be hard to beat. I thought it was a very good effort the other day (at the Sunshine Coast). He travelled sweet all of the way, you know. One pulled out at the 600m, just in front of us, to go forward. We elected to stop and wait for it to go ... and then wait to straighten up and go ourselves. He responded like I thought he would and got the job done.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mauries Pick): 8.00 out to 12.00
Favourite (Tolart): 2.70 out to 3.20. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Bowditch was fined $100 for being overweight on Bang On Broadway. M. Heagney was substituted as the rider of Bang On Broadway. Jockey B. El-Issa was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagement on Jessie Street. M. Paget was substituted as the rider of that mare. Fly Misty (C. McIver) was slow to begin. Tolart (S. Scriven) and Showciti (S. Galloway) made contact on jumping away. Approaching the 1300m, Blickem (D. Green) improved up on to the heels of Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and had to be steadied. Showciti, which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. When the pace steadied approaching the 1100m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) had to be restrained from the heels of Worthy Quest (A. Spinks) and shifted out, hampering Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and Blickem (D. Green). Near the 600m, Jessie Street (M. Paget) shifted out to improve and in doing so hampered Blickem (D. Green). Fly Misty (C. McIver) was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn. Drumshambo (B. Evans) was obliged to race wide rounding the home turn. Leaving the 300m, Tolart (S. Scriven) shifted out around the heels of Jessie Street (M. Paget) to improve and in doing so made heavy contact with Blickem. Near the 200m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) shifted in, inconveniencing Frisco Darling. K. Pope, rider of Mauries Pick, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the finishing line, Fly Misty was forced to race in restricted room between Jessie Street and Blickem (D. Green), which shifted in under pressure.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Showciti, S. Galloway stated that after being slowly away, he was obliged to position the gelding in a more rearward position than he would have liked. He further stated that Showciti travelled well in the middle stages, however added that the gelding was a big-striding horse and he was unable to secure sufficient racing room to improve his momentum leaving the 600m. This, in his opinion, had a major bearing on the disappointing performance of Showciti today.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed - All winners
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Jockey M. Bennett was fined $200 for failing to produce a medical clearance to resume riding as required.
Race 1:
2yo Maiden Handicap - 1110m
1st - Sweepstaking; 2nd - Manhattan Angel; 3rd - Fragrant Star
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “She had a really small saddle on her. She hasn’t had one like that on before. I think that troubled her, and that was why she played up before the start. She’s not at all like that at home – she is not fractious at all - so something just disturbed her here today (on debut). She did well to turn things around and get a good result.”
Jockey Brad Stewart: “She was a little bit cantankerous going to the start. Once I got on her again and got her going she seemed to settle down a bit. She did want to get her head up a bit at one stage in the race, but she’s only having her first start, so she’ll be improving I suppose.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sweepstaking): 3.40 out to 3.80 in to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fragrant Star (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Good Emperor (J. Bowditch) jumped outwards at the start, taking Dancingwithangels (D. Craven) out on to Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Near the 800m, Swell (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Manhattan Angel (S. Scriven) and had to be steadied. At the same stage, Dancingwithangels (D. Craven), which commenced to race ungenerously, shifted out, hampering Our Charmaine. Passing the 700m, Sweepstaking (B. Stewart) improved up on to the heels of Sequalo Revenge (T. Pannell) and when being steadied shifted out, hampering Out Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Good Emperor (J. Bowditch), Dancingwithangels and Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy) raced wide throughout.
Race 2:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Local Talent; 2nd - Rogues; 3rd - Catwalk Strut
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “He’s actually owned by a trainer in Macau. Stephen Leung used to be Hong Kong trainer and then he went to Macau. I became friends with him over there and we’ve done business ever since. The horse hurt himself a little bit in the race at Doomben (in his second start, last August). Yeah, he pulled up lame and sore. So he had a fairly long spell then. Last start he just met one too good for him (Love’s A Challenge). He’s come back strong. I don’t know how far he will go. He is a strong horse. I tell you what he might do, he just might be one of those horses who can run a distance. If he can run a distance like that, you know, just bowl along in front, it might be interesting. At some stage we might try him over further.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is a little bit one-paced. The horse goes alright and I think he is getting better, because he’s still a little immature. I think when he gets up over ten furlongs it might suit him because he is very one-paced and there he can just role along at a nice clip.”
And the latest news on how Cassidy’s is coping with his hand injury.
“My fingers are taped today, just to give it some more support. I’m hoping it doesn’t swell up tomorrow. It’s still quite sore. If it swells up tomorrow, well I’ll think about whether I will have the week off after, because I need to get it right. Otherwise it is just going to linger. If I have the week off, I’ll ride the following Saturday. Hopefully that will be enough to get it right, because I know, with the two days, three days I’ve had off, I had it strapped the whole time and it is that much better today. Although that plan obviously depends on whether any further damage occurs today.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Local Talent): 1.30 out to 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Sweet Magic (C. McIver) and Local Talent (L. Cassidy). Near the 600m, Bilinga Bay (B. El-Issa) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart) wider on the track. Rumpapumpum was then obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1630m
1st - Chi Chi Grande; 2nd - Sydney Or The Bush; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Miller: “She had a really bad pelvis injury as a two-year-old. It was a mystery how it happened. A lot of times in the stable a horse can kick out and somehow get its leg caught and hurt its pelvis. We can only guess how it happened. But it was a really bad injury. After a couple of years, we gave her a bit of work, but she got sore somewhere else. We turned her out and retired her. Then one day I was watching her run in the paddock and I phoned one of the part-owners. I said she is going beautiful in the paddock. I then galloped her with some other horses and decided it was worth giving her another go. She was unlucky when finishing second last time. Now she’s got the result here ... and she’ll win more races too, don’t worry about that. Probably give her a spell now and bring her back. She will run further. She is a beautifully bred mare.”
Jockey Andrew Spinks: “She got out at the right time, but I just had to wait probably a few strides before I could get right out. But once she got out she sprinted well. In the end it probably worked out good that we were held up just that little bit as the timing of her run was perfect. She got the measure of the other one pretty easily halfway down the straight, but then inside the last 100m she did have to dig deep as the other one threatened to come at her again. It is an enormous win when you consider she was never meant to race again. She’s probably looking for a spell again now, but she’s done really well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Chi Chi Grande): 2.50 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey B. Pengelly was fined $300 for being overweight on Princess Of Monoco. R. Wiggins was substituted as the rider of that mare. Umhlanga Rocks (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Manziedear (J. Bowditch) got its head up and had to be steadied off the heels of Sydney Or The Bush (J. Taylor) rounding the first turn. Son Of Zaha (K. Banks) raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned G. Baker in regards to his riding of Umhlanga Rocks in the home straight. G. Baker stated that he commenced to improve rounding the home turn, however shortly after was disappointed for a run between Licorice (L. Cassidy), which was weakening, and All Join Hands (N. Thomas), which shifted out. G. Baker added that subsequent to this he was held up behind All Join Hands, which shifted ground forward of him and therefore he was unable to fully test his mount. He further added that when placed under pressure in the latter stages of the straight, Umhlanga Rocks only finished the race off fairly. The explanation was noted.
Race 4:
3yo Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Charter Boat; 2nd - Indy Go Gold; 3rd - Demonstrator
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tracy Green: “I wasn’t that worried about the draw. In fact, he is probably a bit better out there. He got trapped on the fence the other day (on debut) and he over-raced really bad. So, yeah, he is probably a bit better when he has a bit of room. He was four-deep for the trip, so he has done really well. But he is a strong headed little rooster – so he’s going to get gelded now. A think he’ll end up a miler by the look of him, but he’ll go out now. Makes you feel better sending him out for a break with a win under his belt.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “He travelled wide from a wide barrier and he was going too keenly for me to drop back on him, so I just kept him balanced and he did the rest for me.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Charter Boat): 6.00 out to 7.00
Favourite (Demonstrator): 2.80 out to 3.80. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Monching (C. Reith) jumped away awkwardly. Sassafras Boy (L. Cassidy), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Demonstartor (S. Scriven) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins), both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, Monching (C. Reith) shifted in and brushed Diamond Dancer (A. Pattillo). Approaching the 800m, Monching shifted out and hampered Charter Boat. Monching raced wide in the early stages. Leaving the 200m, Monching raced in restricted room for a short distance between Lady Nike (T. Pannell) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins). Regal Prince (K. Banks), Diamond Dancer and Charter Boat raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 5:
F&M Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Taj Paru; 2nd - A little Dabl Doya; 3rd - Manaudou
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Allan Ross: “It’s all good. We’ll give her a blow now. We were going to scratch her because we weren’t totally comfortable about given her a bit of a quick back-up on heavy going, but we thought we’d give her a go on it. And the end of the day it’s all good, but that’s it for now. She’ll definitely go for a blow.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tai Paru): 7.00 out to 11.00
Favourite (Manaudou): 3.00 out to 3.50 in to 3.20. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
French Move (L. Cassidy) was slow to begin. Taj Paru (B. El-Issa) laid in when placed under pressure in the straight, and approaching the 100m shifted in, inconveniencing Train Wreck (S. Seamer). A post-race veterinary examination of Smartaat, which raced wide throughout, failed to reveal an abnormality.
Race 6:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Aquaterra; 2nd - Telesto Warrior; 3rd - De Business
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “He is going well. He was a bit unlucky the other day. They just out-sprinted him. They walked and then out-sprinted him. Today Jason (Taylor) was awake to that possibility and he got going on him and he kept finding. I think he is going to go further, you know, and I think the further he goes the better he is going to be. He handled the going well enough today. He didn’t feature the last time he was on heavy going, but I think that was because he was at the end of his tether then. It was the end of his preparation and he just didn’t put it in. We were a little bit concerned about that but he did race on a dead track the other day and he handled it quite well, so the going was only a little bit of a concern – and when you get the number one alley, it always helps.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “He had a nice run here. The other day he just couldn’t let down as quick as some of the others. Today I got him out, wound him up and he hit the line beautifully.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Aquaterra): 3.50 out to 3.70 in to 3.00.
Favourite (De Business): 2.60 in to 2.40 out to 2.60. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
C. Reith was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagements on Diamond Pursuit and Tolart in race 8. A. Spinks and S. Scriven were substituted as the respective riders of those horses. Chaski (C. McIver) and Telesto Warrior (B. El-Issa) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 500m, De Business (K. Purdy) shifted out, taking Jovelon (R. Wiggins) wider on the track. Diamond Pursuit (A. Spinks) had a tendency to lay in rounding the home turn and had to be steadied away from the heels of Jovelon on several occasions in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Stormy Youth revealed the horse to be exhibiting an abnormal respiratory noise. Trainer B. Dodson was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Stormy Youth, along with the results of an endoscopic examination prior to its next race start.
Race 7:
Class 4 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dardan; 2nd - Hail Free; 3rd - Erembourg
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “We got him from the boys in Melbourne. They said we should try him up here. He’s done well for the owner. I think he has won five up here now, so he has been a good little money-spinner for them. We couldn’t worry about the draw. There was nothing we could do about that. He (Scott Galloway) rode him well. He didn’t have a lot of pace at all and he got back, but Scott just let him run his own race and he came home strong.”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “He normally leads but he showed no pace today, so I just rode him quiet from the wide draw. I just had a nice chuck up three wide from about the 600m there. He was bolting from around the corner, so I was pretty confident that he had them covered.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Dardan): 3.40 in to 3.10 out to3.40.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cherry Gaze (W. Clasohm) jumped away awkwardly and had to be steadied shortly after the start when tightened for room between Lord Lostock (M. Paget) and Winston (S. Scriven). Starman (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 800m, Erembourg (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Winston and had to be steadied. Subtle Glance (R. McMahon) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Red Enzo (M. Heagney), Eternal’s Choice (C. Whiteley), Dardan (S. Galloway) and Breaking The Rules (R. Wiggins) raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 8:
Class 3 Handicap - 1630m
1st - Mauries Pick; 2nd - Tolart; 3rd - Drumshanbo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Clive Sinton: “He’s going real well and Ken (Pope) rode him a treat. He rode him last time as well. We thought the horse might be ready for a spell, because he has been up a while. He has had a few short breaks in-between though, and we can’t let him have a spell when he’s getting these sort of results and while he seems to be enjoying it so much.”
Jockey Ken Pope: “I thought it would be hard to beat. I thought it was a very good effort the other day (at the Sunshine Coast). He travelled sweet all of the way, you know. One pulled out at the 600m, just in front of us, to go forward. We elected to stop and wait for it to go ... and then wait to straighten up and go ourselves. He responded like I thought he would and got the job done.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mauries Pick): 8.00 out to 12.00
Favourite (Tolart): 2.70 out to 3.20. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Bowditch was fined $100 for being overweight on Bang On Broadway. M. Heagney was substituted as the rider of Bang On Broadway. Jockey B. El-Issa was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagement on Jessie Street. M. Paget was substituted as the rider of that mare. Fly Misty (C. McIver) was slow to begin. Tolart (S. Scriven) and Showciti (S. Galloway) made contact on jumping away. Approaching the 1300m, Blickem (D. Green) improved up on to the heels of Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and had to be steadied. Showciti, which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. When the pace steadied approaching the 1100m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) had to be restrained from the heels of Worthy Quest (A. Spinks) and shifted out, hampering Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and Blickem (D. Green). Near the 600m, Jessie Street (M. Paget) shifted out to improve and in doing so hampered Blickem (D. Green). Fly Misty (C. McIver) was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn. Drumshambo (B. Evans) was obliged to race wide rounding the home turn. Leaving the 300m, Tolart (S. Scriven) shifted out around the heels of Jessie Street (M. Paget) to improve and in doing so made heavy contact with Blickem. Near the 200m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) shifted in, inconveniencing Frisco Darling. K. Pope, rider of Mauries Pick, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the finishing line, Fly Misty was forced to race in restricted room between Jessie Street and Blickem (D. Green), which shifted in under pressure.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Showciti, S. Galloway stated that after being slowly away, he was obliged to position the gelding in a more rearward position than he would have liked. He further stated that Showciti travelled well in the middle stages, however added that the gelding was a big-striding horse and he was unable to secure sufficient racing room to improve his momentum leaving the 600m. This, in his opinion, had a major bearing on the disappointing performance of Showciti today.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed - All winners
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
TOOWOOMBA RACING UNDER PRESSURE
Spare a thought for Toowoomba racing. By that I mean Toowoomba racing as a traditional, honourable racing community which plays a productive part in the business that is Queensland Racing.
The vote taken by Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) members on Monday night in favour accepting the $10 million funding offer made to the club by Queensland Racing Ltd (QRL) – which includes the controversial issue of replacing the turf with a Cushion track – has decided an argument which had degenerated into an on-going, ugly mess which did the industry no favours.
For the last couple of months the Toowoomba racing community has been staggering around the ring like a punch-drunk boxer wondering from which direction the knockout punch would arrive.
After much public acrimony between those ‘for’ and ‘against’ the QRL proposal, it became clear that, in essence, no matter which side eventually won the vote, Toowoomba racing (read the TTC) was in a lose-lose situation.
Going into the vote, the TTC stood to lose the proposed funding package and be faced with a crippling financial burden, the demands of which were clearly laid out by QRL ... or, they would lose the patronage of those owners and trainers who, equally as unambiguously, had indicated that they were not only against the installation of the Cushion Track, but they would not support racing on that surface if it came into being.
The TTC members chose to accept the QRL offer. The official count was 124 votes in favour, 110 votes against.
Those against the proposal needed 51% to carry the vote. They got 47%. It is a pity that the vote, whichever way it went, ended up being so close. All Monday night’s result means is that Toowoomba racing remains a fractured community and that is going to take more than an olive branch, already extended by the TTC to licensees, to heal.
The TTC are seemingly betting on the fact that those trainers and owners who voted against the deal might find it difficult to live up to their word ... that they might reconsider their options when faced with the reality of having to change locations or limit where they will place runners.
The TTC underestimated the resolve of this group once before when failing to recognise their passion and commitment to their cause. They could be doing so again.
It is entirely understandably why 122 members voted for the proposal. QRL had said they had made an offer, not a demand. But while there was a carrot, there was also a stick.
The financial consequences of refusing the deal, as highlighted in no uncertain terms in a letter sent to TTC members by QRL prior to the vote, dictated that the TTC would be placed in dire financial straits should the vote go against the deal. For some there might have appeared to be shades of Don Corleone. It might have looked like an offer they couldn’t refuse.
The details of the carrot and the stick are repeated here as a matter of record, as it does help to put the motivation for the final decision in perspective. Both extracts repeated below are taken from the letter which QRL sent to TTC members.
The positive vote for the $10 million package brings the following into play:
“Conversion of the course proper to an all weather synthetic surface, and associated cambering and realignment. Regenerating both dams and lining with the latest dam liner. Sealed service ambulance road. Sealed horse walkways. Upgrade of existing lights to international standards. Retention of the Saturday night racing programme. Allocation of a metropolitan status meeting for the Weetwood. Racing will be suspended from 11 February 2009 - 11 July 2009.”
On the other hand, should a negative vote have been cast the following would have applied:
“QRL will proceed to recoup the costs already expended on the project, including the removal of the cushion track stockpile. QRL will require the TTC to upgrade the course proper to a suitable standard, at the Clubs expense. QRL will not allow racing at Toowoomba on a sub-standard track, including feature races.QRL will require TTC to upgrade the lights to an acceptable standard, estimated at $1 million at the Club’s expense. The funding for the lighting and cushion track will be offered to another club, and the ongoing allocation of future race dates will be considered, depending on the condition of the track.”
The decision would have been a ‘no brainer’ had the financial package not called for the installation of a Cushion Track to replace the turf surface. ‘To replace the turf surface’ was the point of contention. When no alternative to having both the turf and Cushion tracks available could be negotiated, the standoff took a seriously negative turn.
It is equally entirely understandable why 110 members voted against the proposal. Their concerns about the quality of the Cushion Track, with regard to it being able to provide a true and safe racing surface, were made quite clear to anyone who would listen.
The objections were roundly dismissed by QRL and any idea of searching for common ground became a non-event. The split in feeling and objectives reached a point of no return, leading to this group calling Monday’s Special General Meeting where they exercised their right to vote on the issue.
Synthetic racing surfaces remain a controversial entity throughout the world and to dismiss criticism of them as being based in ignorance is like the blind leading the blind.
Synthetic surfaces are sure to play a part in racing in future, but the jury, worldwide - including a host of racing professionals who, individually, have more experience of synthetic surfaces than any group in Australia - is still very much out on how big that role should be.
There are few qualms about it being utilised as a training track and pretty much the same applies to it being used as a limited, alternative racing surface when weather conditions dictate that to be a beneficial alternative. It is a work in progress which has yet to be embraced by the greater racing fraternity around the world.
As such, it comes with a risk factor – made all the greater if the track is installed as a club’s main, or only, racing surface - as certain owners and trainers will prefer to run their horses on a traditional turf surface and therefore might not support meetings at the synthetic track.
Thus Toowoomba racing now finds itself in an elevated risk situation where, ironically, the future of those who won at the ballot box lies, to a large degree, in the hands of those who they defeated in the vote.
If their traditional trainers and owners turn their backs on the TTC, being flush with cash and having new facilities might be a position bought at too great a cost. But then, as previously mentioned, events of the last nine months had painted the TTC into a corner, into that no-win situation.
This position of the TTC is made even more critical by the fact that Clifford Park will now be closed for racing until mid-July. (This closure was programmed irrespective of the outcome of the vote).
During this time, owners, trainers have to find somewhere else to race their horses and many jockeys, whose primary income was earned at the Toowoomba track, will have to look elsewhere for an income. How many will return at the end of the day is in question. There will be job losses as well as a negative impact on the local economy.
Throw in the fact that, when racing does return to Clifford Park in July, the TTC will not be able to have too many hiccups if it is to retain its usual Saturday evening slot, with its international broadcasts, as the night racing banner-bearer for racing in Queensland.
The retention of the valued Saturday night racing programme has been promised to the TTC in the deal struck with QRL, so there will be no problem if the racing product produced by the TTC is of a suitable standard.
Previously there was no alternative for night racing, but the Corbould Park track at the Sunshine Coast will be fully primed to take over from Toowoomba, in a worst case scenario, should the racing product produced by the TTC fall below standard, for whatever reason.
Thirty pylons filled with high intensity floodlights are now in place at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club (SCTC) track at Coloundra. The SCTC, who owns Corbould Park in partnership with QRL, will take over the Saturday night timeslot left vacant by the TTC while work is undertaken on the installation of the Cushion Track in Toowoomba. They will set a new standard in the intervening months, one which Toowoomba will have to match.
So while the turbulence of recent months might subside for Toowoomba racing, it will only be replaced by more testing times.
There is always change and change comes for better or worse.
Hopefully in the case of Toowoomba, when the dust has settled and the bloody battlefield has been cleared, there can still be a future for the TTC which will do Queensland racing proud.
Whether there is or not, the only sure bet is that racing at Clifford Park will never be the same again.
The vote taken by Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) members on Monday night in favour accepting the $10 million funding offer made to the club by Queensland Racing Ltd (QRL) – which includes the controversial issue of replacing the turf with a Cushion track – has decided an argument which had degenerated into an on-going, ugly mess which did the industry no favours.
For the last couple of months the Toowoomba racing community has been staggering around the ring like a punch-drunk boxer wondering from which direction the knockout punch would arrive.
After much public acrimony between those ‘for’ and ‘against’ the QRL proposal, it became clear that, in essence, no matter which side eventually won the vote, Toowoomba racing (read the TTC) was in a lose-lose situation.
Going into the vote, the TTC stood to lose the proposed funding package and be faced with a crippling financial burden, the demands of which were clearly laid out by QRL ... or, they would lose the patronage of those owners and trainers who, equally as unambiguously, had indicated that they were not only against the installation of the Cushion Track, but they would not support racing on that surface if it came into being.
The TTC members chose to accept the QRL offer. The official count was 124 votes in favour, 110 votes against.
Those against the proposal needed 51% to carry the vote. They got 47%. It is a pity that the vote, whichever way it went, ended up being so close. All Monday night’s result means is that Toowoomba racing remains a fractured community and that is going to take more than an olive branch, already extended by the TTC to licensees, to heal.
The TTC are seemingly betting on the fact that those trainers and owners who voted against the deal might find it difficult to live up to their word ... that they might reconsider their options when faced with the reality of having to change locations or limit where they will place runners.
The TTC underestimated the resolve of this group once before when failing to recognise their passion and commitment to their cause. They could be doing so again.
It is entirely understandably why 122 members voted for the proposal. QRL had said they had made an offer, not a demand. But while there was a carrot, there was also a stick.
The financial consequences of refusing the deal, as highlighted in no uncertain terms in a letter sent to TTC members by QRL prior to the vote, dictated that the TTC would be placed in dire financial straits should the vote go against the deal. For some there might have appeared to be shades of Don Corleone. It might have looked like an offer they couldn’t refuse.
The details of the carrot and the stick are repeated here as a matter of record, as it does help to put the motivation for the final decision in perspective. Both extracts repeated below are taken from the letter which QRL sent to TTC members.
The positive vote for the $10 million package brings the following into play:
“Conversion of the course proper to an all weather synthetic surface, and associated cambering and realignment. Regenerating both dams and lining with the latest dam liner. Sealed service ambulance road. Sealed horse walkways. Upgrade of existing lights to international standards. Retention of the Saturday night racing programme. Allocation of a metropolitan status meeting for the Weetwood. Racing will be suspended from 11 February 2009 - 11 July 2009.”
On the other hand, should a negative vote have been cast the following would have applied:
“QRL will proceed to recoup the costs already expended on the project, including the removal of the cushion track stockpile. QRL will require the TTC to upgrade the course proper to a suitable standard, at the Clubs expense. QRL will not allow racing at Toowoomba on a sub-standard track, including feature races.QRL will require TTC to upgrade the lights to an acceptable standard, estimated at $1 million at the Club’s expense. The funding for the lighting and cushion track will be offered to another club, and the ongoing allocation of future race dates will be considered, depending on the condition of the track.”
The decision would have been a ‘no brainer’ had the financial package not called for the installation of a Cushion Track to replace the turf surface. ‘To replace the turf surface’ was the point of contention. When no alternative to having both the turf and Cushion tracks available could be negotiated, the standoff took a seriously negative turn.
It is equally entirely understandable why 110 members voted against the proposal. Their concerns about the quality of the Cushion Track, with regard to it being able to provide a true and safe racing surface, were made quite clear to anyone who would listen.
The objections were roundly dismissed by QRL and any idea of searching for common ground became a non-event. The split in feeling and objectives reached a point of no return, leading to this group calling Monday’s Special General Meeting where they exercised their right to vote on the issue.
Synthetic racing surfaces remain a controversial entity throughout the world and to dismiss criticism of them as being based in ignorance is like the blind leading the blind.
Synthetic surfaces are sure to play a part in racing in future, but the jury, worldwide - including a host of racing professionals who, individually, have more experience of synthetic surfaces than any group in Australia - is still very much out on how big that role should be.
There are few qualms about it being utilised as a training track and pretty much the same applies to it being used as a limited, alternative racing surface when weather conditions dictate that to be a beneficial alternative. It is a work in progress which has yet to be embraced by the greater racing fraternity around the world.
As such, it comes with a risk factor – made all the greater if the track is installed as a club’s main, or only, racing surface - as certain owners and trainers will prefer to run their horses on a traditional turf surface and therefore might not support meetings at the synthetic track.
Thus Toowoomba racing now finds itself in an elevated risk situation where, ironically, the future of those who won at the ballot box lies, to a large degree, in the hands of those who they defeated in the vote.
If their traditional trainers and owners turn their backs on the TTC, being flush with cash and having new facilities might be a position bought at too great a cost. But then, as previously mentioned, events of the last nine months had painted the TTC into a corner, into that no-win situation.
This position of the TTC is made even more critical by the fact that Clifford Park will now be closed for racing until mid-July. (This closure was programmed irrespective of the outcome of the vote).
During this time, owners, trainers have to find somewhere else to race their horses and many jockeys, whose primary income was earned at the Toowoomba track, will have to look elsewhere for an income. How many will return at the end of the day is in question. There will be job losses as well as a negative impact on the local economy.
Throw in the fact that, when racing does return to Clifford Park in July, the TTC will not be able to have too many hiccups if it is to retain its usual Saturday evening slot, with its international broadcasts, as the night racing banner-bearer for racing in Queensland.
The retention of the valued Saturday night racing programme has been promised to the TTC in the deal struck with QRL, so there will be no problem if the racing product produced by the TTC is of a suitable standard.
Previously there was no alternative for night racing, but the Corbould Park track at the Sunshine Coast will be fully primed to take over from Toowoomba, in a worst case scenario, should the racing product produced by the TTC fall below standard, for whatever reason.
Thirty pylons filled with high intensity floodlights are now in place at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club (SCTC) track at Coloundra. The SCTC, who owns Corbould Park in partnership with QRL, will take over the Saturday night timeslot left vacant by the TTC while work is undertaken on the installation of the Cushion Track in Toowoomba. They will set a new standard in the intervening months, one which Toowoomba will have to match.
So while the turbulence of recent months might subside for Toowoomba racing, it will only be replaced by more testing times.
There is always change and change comes for better or worse.
Hopefully in the case of Toowoomba, when the dust has settled and the bloody battlefield has been cleared, there can still be a future for the TTC which will do Queensland racing proud.
Whether there is or not, the only sure bet is that racing at Clifford Park will never be the same again.
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, FEB 15)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, February 15.
Race 1:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1000m
1st - Questify; 2nd - One For The Girls; 3rd - Stalwart Garza
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Ray Dart trained Questify tracked the early frontrunners before switching out at the head of the straight and beginning her winning, forward move. The mare’s challenge was met with significant resistance by One For The Girls, who kicked in the straight and made Questify (Hirotaka Hamada) work hard for victory.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Beyond The Bikini (C. Spry) blundered on jumping away and lost ground. Jockey C. Spry was dislodged from Beyond The Bikini on pulling up when that horse shifted out abruptly. After being examined by the club's doctor and was found to have injured his left ankle. Jockey C. Spry was stood from his remaining engagements. Jockey C. Spry will be required to produce a medical clearance before riding again.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Maiden Handicap - 850m
1st - Lots Of Allure; 2nd - Triple Ay; 3rd - Nonethewiser
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair had an anxious wait as Lots Of Allure made her way back to the winners’ enclosure. The filly had bled previously, and it is thus always going to be a worry when she pulls up after a run. All ended well.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Triple Ay (R. McMahon) was slow to begin. Dodge County (J. Wood) raced wide. Wedding Lily (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event. An inquiry was opened in to the reason for Dodge County (App. J. Wood) falling near the 450m. After taking evidence from app. Jockey M. Hughes, rider of Wedding Lily, app. Jockey O. Turpin, rider of Nonethewiser and jockey G. Baker, rider of Clayton, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed due to app jockey J. Wood being transported to hospital for further observation. A post-race veterinary examination of Dodge County failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st - Golden Balls; 2nd - Croix De Fer; 3rd - Vistula Belle
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “The run in town last time, which was his first run for me, was good the other day. They ran slow sectionals and he got home good. I thought he would be very hard to beat today, but we were very concerned about the heavy track. That other one was really coming at him and thought we were gone but (Damian) Browne got him over the line. I think he’ll definitely get 1600m and I’m hoping he’ll get 2000m. That’s where we are heading at this stage. Being a three-year-old, if he can get up and stay a bit, well, there’s more in it for them, you know. Yeah, thankfully, I am enjoying a nice strike-rate with new horses that have been given to me. I just hope they keep coming through the door.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Croix De Fer (G. Baker), Golden Balls (D. Browne) and Mythical (A. Erhart) were slow to begin. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks), Diamond Lane (R. Stewart) and Super Moon (J. Taylor) were all tightened for room at the start between Miss Attanagh (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa) raced wide in the early stages. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Elton’s Son (S. Holcombe) raced wide for the majority of the event. Danseur Pick was retired from the race after leaving the 500m. A post-race veterinary examination of Danseur Pick revealed the filly to have pulled up in a distressed state. Trainer R. Milne was advised that Danseur Pick must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards in an official trial, and that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Danseur Pick prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Super Moon had ruptured a tendon in the off foreleg. Trainer S. Dwyer was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Super Moon prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m,
1st - Snackman; 2nd - Guns; 3rd -Bigger Than
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Brown: “He’s just been drawing bad alley’s mate. He’s drawn eleven, eleven, eleven. He wasn’t even going to start. I was going to scratch him, but when they got down to a field of six we decided to go around. One start he had here on a heavy track he got beaten about eighteen lengths, so it just shows you, you just got to try them on it once in a while. He was the right body-weight today. He has always been a little bit fat. He was 528kg today. That’s his winning weight.”
Jockey Christian Reith: “The trainer told me on Saturday morning that he won’t be going around because he doesn’t handle the going. He did say that when he didn’t handle it before he was a younger horse. He decided to go for it in the end. The horse certainly had a lot more confidence this time around. Today, he just ploughed through it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Radio Star (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Red Shadow (J. Taylor) and Snackman (C. Reith) both had a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Heartsun; 2nd - Inprivato; 3rd - Tangler
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stewart McKinnon: “He’s taken the next step every-time and that is all we can ask of him, you know. I don’t know how far he’s going to get this prep ... whether we give him another one or not. I’ll just let the horse tell me. He is quite an easy horse to train, but he has got a bit of the Show A Heart tendency where they are just a little bit hot. It’s just in the head. He does switch off in the race very well which we’ve been trying to teach him. That’s half the battle, so it’s going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Love Hit Me became fractious in the barrier stalls and became cast. After undergoing a veterinary examination, Love Hit Me was cleared to race. Trainer T. Hall was advised that a further barrier certificate would be required for Love Hit Me prior to its next race start. Inprivato (M. Hughes) and Akoya (C. McIver) were slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of Akoya revealed the mare to have a small laceration to its off foreleg.
Race 6:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dual Code; 2nd - Ready Asset; 3rd - Fernardi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “Yeah, he’s getting better and I think he’ll probably be better again after a couple of more runs. He did have a little setback there the other week. He just had a little stone bruise that popped out of his foot like they do on these wet weather, hot days. The results are good and time is not an issue with him. We’ll just take the steps as they come.”
Jockey Kelly Purdy: “It’s an up-and-coming horse. Still a little bit green. He’s been unlucky in his first couple of starts. Even though he won last star, he only got out the last bit. Today is the first time he has had an uninterrupted run and he controlled things well. He still stargazes a little bit, so he’s still going to learn and improve further.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of a rider for Top Ross. The saddle on Waitaseq shifted when proceeding to the barriers, resulting in that gelding having to be re-saddled prior to the start. Frenardi (G. Baker) began awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Stalwart Honey (C. Reith). Ready Asset (A. Merritt), which was slow to begin, had to be steadied shortly after the start to avoid the heels of Skifort (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Top Ross (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 700m Stalwart Honey had to be steadied when the paced eased. Frenardi (G. Baker), which was following, had to be steadied as a consequence. Passing the 600m, Waitaseq (T. Chambers) shifted wider on the track to improve. Near the 500m, Frenardi (G. Baker) was held up for some distance on the heels of Isti Polly (J. Kropp). Passing the 450m, Isti Polly (J. Kropp) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Stalwart Honey and Top Brass (K. Pope), which shifted out. Leaving the 100m, Isti Polly improved up on to the heels of Stalwart Honey and had to be steadied. Near the 50m, Pull The Wool (O. Turpin) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Top Ross (K. Pope), which shifted in under pressure. Stalwart Honey raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1400m
1st - Longstreet; 2nd - Fools Rush In; 3rd - Doonan Dancer
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He got the run of the race. The 1400m – that’s his distance. He likes that distance. The heavy going didn’t bother him. He has placed on that sort of ground. Ah, he’s just a nice old horse. I’ve had him for about twelve months. I’d have liked to have had him three or four years earlier. The hardest thing has been to find the right races for him, you know. But, like I say, he’s a nice old horse and it is good to get a result with him.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Doonan Dancer (A. Pattillo) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Spy Zaim (G. Baker). Passing the 800m, Telegrand (M. Hughes) had to be momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of Longstreet (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. When questioned, C. Reith was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Noreil. A post-race veterinary examination of Noreil failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - More Than Primed; 2nd - Bellamour; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill (who completed a double on the day): “This is nice horse, this horse. Just a little bit light though. His problem is that there is not much of him. He is only a little fellow. That’s why we gave him some time out to try and build him up. He’s stepped up in distance every start this prep. He’s done a good job today on a bog track over a mile. He is going to get ground. He’ll go beyond the mile. He is promising.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer B. Bowditch for the late declaration of rider for Fly Misty, however he was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for Manziedear by the prescribed time. Manziedear (A. Spinks) slow to begin. More Than Primed (K. Pope) and Fly Misty (G. Baker) were tightened for room at the start between Through The Waves (O. Turpin), which shifted out, and Slepner (J. Kropp), which was taken in by So Long (A. Badger). Fly Misty over-raced from a point approaching the 1400m and continued to do so for some distance, and after leaving the 800m, improved up on to the heels of Slepner (J. Kropp) and had to be steadied. Near the 400m, Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Fly Misty (G. Baker), which shifted out to obtain clear running. Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) and So Long (A. Badger) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of So Long, which finished tailed off, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-hind leg. Trainer M. Lloyd was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for So Long prior to its next race start.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed: All winners
Race 1:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1000m
1st - Questify; 2nd - One For The Girls; 3rd - Stalwart Garza
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Ray Dart trained Questify tracked the early frontrunners before switching out at the head of the straight and beginning her winning, forward move. The mare’s challenge was met with significant resistance by One For The Girls, who kicked in the straight and made Questify (Hirotaka Hamada) work hard for victory.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Beyond The Bikini (C. Spry) blundered on jumping away and lost ground. Jockey C. Spry was dislodged from Beyond The Bikini on pulling up when that horse shifted out abruptly. After being examined by the club's doctor and was found to have injured his left ankle. Jockey C. Spry was stood from his remaining engagements. Jockey C. Spry will be required to produce a medical clearance before riding again.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Maiden Handicap - 850m
1st - Lots Of Allure; 2nd - Triple Ay; 3rd - Nonethewiser
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair had an anxious wait as Lots Of Allure made her way back to the winners’ enclosure. The filly had bled previously, and it is thus always going to be a worry when she pulls up after a run. All ended well.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Triple Ay (R. McMahon) was slow to begin. Dodge County (J. Wood) raced wide. Wedding Lily (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event. An inquiry was opened in to the reason for Dodge County (App. J. Wood) falling near the 450m. After taking evidence from app. Jockey M. Hughes, rider of Wedding Lily, app. Jockey O. Turpin, rider of Nonethewiser and jockey G. Baker, rider of Clayton, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed due to app jockey J. Wood being transported to hospital for further observation. A post-race veterinary examination of Dodge County failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st - Golden Balls; 2nd - Croix De Fer; 3rd - Vistula Belle
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “The run in town last time, which was his first run for me, was good the other day. They ran slow sectionals and he got home good. I thought he would be very hard to beat today, but we were very concerned about the heavy track. That other one was really coming at him and thought we were gone but (Damian) Browne got him over the line. I think he’ll definitely get 1600m and I’m hoping he’ll get 2000m. That’s where we are heading at this stage. Being a three-year-old, if he can get up and stay a bit, well, there’s more in it for them, you know. Yeah, thankfully, I am enjoying a nice strike-rate with new horses that have been given to me. I just hope they keep coming through the door.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Croix De Fer (G. Baker), Golden Balls (D. Browne) and Mythical (A. Erhart) were slow to begin. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks), Diamond Lane (R. Stewart) and Super Moon (J. Taylor) were all tightened for room at the start between Miss Attanagh (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa) raced wide in the early stages. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Elton’s Son (S. Holcombe) raced wide for the majority of the event. Danseur Pick was retired from the race after leaving the 500m. A post-race veterinary examination of Danseur Pick revealed the filly to have pulled up in a distressed state. Trainer R. Milne was advised that Danseur Pick must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards in an official trial, and that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Danseur Pick prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Super Moon had ruptured a tendon in the off foreleg. Trainer S. Dwyer was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Super Moon prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m,
1st - Snackman; 2nd - Guns; 3rd -Bigger Than
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Brown: “He’s just been drawing bad alley’s mate. He’s drawn eleven, eleven, eleven. He wasn’t even going to start. I was going to scratch him, but when they got down to a field of six we decided to go around. One start he had here on a heavy track he got beaten about eighteen lengths, so it just shows you, you just got to try them on it once in a while. He was the right body-weight today. He has always been a little bit fat. He was 528kg today. That’s his winning weight.”
Jockey Christian Reith: “The trainer told me on Saturday morning that he won’t be going around because he doesn’t handle the going. He did say that when he didn’t handle it before he was a younger horse. He decided to go for it in the end. The horse certainly had a lot more confidence this time around. Today, he just ploughed through it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Radio Star (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Red Shadow (J. Taylor) and Snackman (C. Reith) both had a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Heartsun; 2nd - Inprivato; 3rd - Tangler
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stewart McKinnon: “He’s taken the next step every-time and that is all we can ask of him, you know. I don’t know how far he’s going to get this prep ... whether we give him another one or not. I’ll just let the horse tell me. He is quite an easy horse to train, but he has got a bit of the Show A Heart tendency where they are just a little bit hot. It’s just in the head. He does switch off in the race very well which we’ve been trying to teach him. That’s half the battle, so it’s going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Love Hit Me became fractious in the barrier stalls and became cast. After undergoing a veterinary examination, Love Hit Me was cleared to race. Trainer T. Hall was advised that a further barrier certificate would be required for Love Hit Me prior to its next race start. Inprivato (M. Hughes) and Akoya (C. McIver) were slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of Akoya revealed the mare to have a small laceration to its off foreleg.
Race 6:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dual Code; 2nd - Ready Asset; 3rd - Fernardi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “Yeah, he’s getting better and I think he’ll probably be better again after a couple of more runs. He did have a little setback there the other week. He just had a little stone bruise that popped out of his foot like they do on these wet weather, hot days. The results are good and time is not an issue with him. We’ll just take the steps as they come.”
Jockey Kelly Purdy: “It’s an up-and-coming horse. Still a little bit green. He’s been unlucky in his first couple of starts. Even though he won last star, he only got out the last bit. Today is the first time he has had an uninterrupted run and he controlled things well. He still stargazes a little bit, so he’s still going to learn and improve further.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of a rider for Top Ross. The saddle on Waitaseq shifted when proceeding to the barriers, resulting in that gelding having to be re-saddled prior to the start. Frenardi (G. Baker) began awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Stalwart Honey (C. Reith). Ready Asset (A. Merritt), which was slow to begin, had to be steadied shortly after the start to avoid the heels of Skifort (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Top Ross (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 700m Stalwart Honey had to be steadied when the paced eased. Frenardi (G. Baker), which was following, had to be steadied as a consequence. Passing the 600m, Waitaseq (T. Chambers) shifted wider on the track to improve. Near the 500m, Frenardi (G. Baker) was held up for some distance on the heels of Isti Polly (J. Kropp). Passing the 450m, Isti Polly (J. Kropp) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Stalwart Honey and Top Brass (K. Pope), which shifted out. Leaving the 100m, Isti Polly improved up on to the heels of Stalwart Honey and had to be steadied. Near the 50m, Pull The Wool (O. Turpin) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Top Ross (K. Pope), which shifted in under pressure. Stalwart Honey raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1400m
1st - Longstreet; 2nd - Fools Rush In; 3rd - Doonan Dancer
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He got the run of the race. The 1400m – that’s his distance. He likes that distance. The heavy going didn’t bother him. He has placed on that sort of ground. Ah, he’s just a nice old horse. I’ve had him for about twelve months. I’d have liked to have had him three or four years earlier. The hardest thing has been to find the right races for him, you know. But, like I say, he’s a nice old horse and it is good to get a result with him.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Doonan Dancer (A. Pattillo) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Spy Zaim (G. Baker). Passing the 800m, Telegrand (M. Hughes) had to be momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of Longstreet (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. When questioned, C. Reith was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Noreil. A post-race veterinary examination of Noreil failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - More Than Primed; 2nd - Bellamour; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill (who completed a double on the day): “This is nice horse, this horse. Just a little bit light though. His problem is that there is not much of him. He is only a little fellow. That’s why we gave him some time out to try and build him up. He’s stepped up in distance every start this prep. He’s done a good job today on a bog track over a mile. He is going to get ground. He’ll go beyond the mile. He is promising.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer B. Bowditch for the late declaration of rider for Fly Misty, however he was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for Manziedear by the prescribed time. Manziedear (A. Spinks) slow to begin. More Than Primed (K. Pope) and Fly Misty (G. Baker) were tightened for room at the start between Through The Waves (O. Turpin), which shifted out, and Slepner (J. Kropp), which was taken in by So Long (A. Badger). Fly Misty over-raced from a point approaching the 1400m and continued to do so for some distance, and after leaving the 800m, improved up on to the heels of Slepner (J. Kropp) and had to be steadied. Near the 400m, Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Fly Misty (G. Baker), which shifted out to obtain clear running. Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) and So Long (A. Badger) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of So Long, which finished tailed off, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-hind leg. Trainer M. Lloyd was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for So Long prior to its next race start.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed: All winners
Monday, February 16, 2009
EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, FEB 14)
A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, February 14.
Race 1:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Bob And Dolly; 2nd - Neeson; 3rd - Easy Knight
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “We thought it was an enormous run last time (on debut). He just got a bit lost first start in a race. He has just gone ahead in leaps and bounds. We were just desperate to try to find a 1200m race for him, but we couldn’t. The wet track’s brought them back to him and he finished hard. He is a very strong horse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a very nice horse further down the track.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “From the jump the horse was on one rein and it was hanging out the whole way. He hang out badly in the straight. Over the final hundred metres, it was just sort of do or die, so I just let him do his own thing. I went for him and he was too strong. He is a real nice horse. It was only his second start and he is obviously still learning. I don’t know why he was hanging like that, but we’ll work him out. He handled the going alright. At the top of the straight, just before the straight, there was a patch he hit where he scrambled a bit, but he got through that. Other than that he went through it pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bob And Dolly (E. Wilkinson) blundered on jumping away. Neeson (P. Wolfgram) shifted in and made contact with Easy Knight (B. Evans) on jumping away. Bob And Dolly shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Perfect Option (C. Spry) sustained a small laceration to the front of the off-hind coronet.
Race 2:
Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Tisani Boy; 2nd - Admiral Gherkin; 3rd - Sir Monashee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Hatch: “He’s is a lovely horse. He proved he’s got a touch of class. It was a super win. I think he’s got a great future. He is going to win a big race for sure. He’s probably not even suited over 1000m. He probably wants a lot further, you know. He is a 1200m ... 1400m horse. I think he is a serious horse. He didn’t seem to handle the going today yet still produced the win. He has got his problems. He got bruised heels – bad feet. We just ice them. Brett (Evans) does a lot of work on him, icing him and so forth. ”
Hatch will be leaving Toowoomba on March 1 and moving to Wadham Park, a 200 acre facility which is located in the Gold Coast hinterland on the outskirts of Canungra.
Hatch: “It’s just a great opportunity to get a better class of horse and a better owner. A lot of owners ring up and say they are interested in getting horses to train and they won’t have them trained in Toowoomba for one reason or other. The move has been in the mix for six to eight months and I just think it is a great opportunity.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Oh mate, I don’t think he knew what he was doing early. The first fifty yards he had no idea in the heavy going. I just kept a hold of his head and rode him and kept him as close as I could while keeping him happy enough back there. Then when I asked him to go he responded well and did a good job. I do know the horse well. I work with him all the time and do his feet every morning.”
Brent Evans is apprenticed to the Lindsay Hatch stable. He transferred there from Brett Kavanagh and he has enjoyed eye-catching success since arriving in Toowoomba where he currently has a clear-cut lead in the Toowoomba Jockey’s Premiership.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
No incidents.
Race 3:
1MW Handicap - 1800m
1st - Malela; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Ostras
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kevin Kemp: “It’s the fourth Saturday in a row that we’ve had a winner in Brisbane. That is just unbelievable. I hope I’ve got something in the stable I can bring down here next week. Just when you’re hot, you got to try to stay hot. This one will also be going to Sydney (with Dance Girl Dance). I didn’t want to say she was definitely going before the race, because when you say they’re definitely going, they run last. I hope Ric (McMahon) will ride them. We’ll ask him.”
Jockey Ric McMahon: “I was sort of happy to drop off the speed at one stage. Look, the leader Ostras, it runs along, but it hasn’t been racing real well so I knew it would come back to me. So I let him go. I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was pretty lucky actually because the two in front of me, they chased it a little bit. When they chased from the half mile it was too hot for me, I just travelled up and I got her on the bit, you know. As soon as I asked her to just get a little bit closer she kept up picking up good. The way she made up ground so quickly was bit of a combination of her improving and the others stopping. I was never worried about moving up inside horses at the top of the straight. I was still four or five off the fence. I never moved ... I never hit her until inside the furlong, because I knew I pretty much had it. She handled the going well. Yeah, I probably will go to Sydney with Kevin’s two horses.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Malela (R. McMahon) and Riseupsinging (E. Wilkinson) made contact on jumping away.
Race 4:
3yo Handicap - 1400m
1st - High Roll'n Woman; 2nd - Phebetay; 3rd - Star Of Ombra
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “They asked if I could put her in just behind the pace ... sort of sit third or fourth. I ended up sitting fifth or sixth. I got back more than I wanted. That was because they went quite hard in front and also because of the heavy going. My horse didn’t quite handle it. Yet she still managed to win through having a bit of heart, you know. I saved her all up until the furlong and then asked her to go and she toughed it out real good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R. Heathcote was fined $100 under LR. 70 for failing to declare R. Stewart as the rider of Star Of Ombre by the prescribed time. Stewards accepted the explanation of trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of B. El-Issa as the rider of Upgrading. Universal Brave (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Castiglione Kid (R. Wiggins) jumped out at the start making contact with Zsazsa (D. Craven). Universal Brave and Kbenrenrun (L. Cassidy) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 800m Castliglione Kid and Universal Brave made contact. Universal Brave and Castiglione Kid raced wide for the majority of the event. Approaching the 400m Zsazsa shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with Universal Brave on several occasions. Professor (A. Pattillo) was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Kbenrenrun revealed a laceration inside the cheek on the off side.
Race 5:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - Sam's Express; 2nd - Rebounded; 3rd - Onalar
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “He’s just been unlucky this horse. He always gets cluttered up. You have a look at his form. His first run up he was wide (from an eleven draw). Next run at Doomben he never got out and then his last run he never got out. He is a real honest horse, but things just haven’t gone his way. The extra ground did help, because the mile (which he got here) and further is his best distance.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “It was a great battle actually. I just bounced him out of the gates and I was always going to sit second to Rebounded. I got a nice run there. Rebounded was just pulling a bit during the race. I just got a beautiful run. He relaxed. Shifted up a bit closer at the 600m. Then I just waited, waited, waited until well in the straight. I made my move and we went up there and headed him (Rebounded). My horse fought well. He dug deep. I’ve never rode a city winner before. Today’s my first – and now it’s a double.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Onalar (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Tariki (P. Gesler) raced wide for the majority of the event. Rebounded (Michael Palmer) and Sam’s Express (B. Evans) bumped at the 100m. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Pentacity, jockey J. Taylor stated that he felt the mare travelled well during running, however when placed under pressure failed to stretch out and in his opinion failed to handle the prevailing track conditions. J. Taylor added that although the mare had won on a rain-affected track it was only against maiden company on that occasion. The explanation was noted.
Race 6:
1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Abbacina; 2nd - Sir Teles; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy (who is carrying a hand injury): “I really am suffering. It’s way more sore than the other day. The swelling has come down, but it’s still incredibly painful. I was very happy because I brought the swelling right down. Even though I thought it would be sore, I didn’t think it would anywhere as sore as it is. I had a scan and the ligaments are intact. They are not pulled away from the bone. So they are intact, but there is an incredible amount of fluid around the joint. So the ligaments aren’t torn, but they said I’ll need two weeks for the injury to heal. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’ve got very good rides Wednesday. I could probably ride a treble on Wednesday. I’ll just have to see how I pull up after this.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Base Dancer (E. Wilkinson) over-raced in the early stages and when being restrained near the 800m got its head up and raced ungenerously. J. Atkins, the trainer of Bazzooka, which bled from both nostrils during the event, was advised that the horse would be barred from racing for a period of three months under the provisions of AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from Bazzooka.
Race 7:
Quality Handicap - 1200m
1st - Vocalic; 2nd - Momentously; 3rd - Sommersea Drive
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “He likes the Eagle Farm 1200m, and he doesn’t seem to mind it soft , even though I think the Semipalatinsk side, with Telitina, (the damline influence) stops him a little. That’s where he hovered halfway up the straight. He seemed to mark time a bit for a while there. Yeah, he’s a bit of a track specialist. Most of his city wins, I think all of his city wins, have been here at Eagle Farm. It takes a good horse to win six at Eagle Farm and I think he has sailed past $400 000 in stakes now.”
Jockey Ric McMahon (who completed a double on the day): “He is a lovely horse. Does everything right. Jumps good. Travelled well. Then, they steadied. From the 600m he just grabbed the bit and he towed me into it, you know. I pretty much didn’t have to do anything. He pretty much did it for me. He just travelled so well and then I let him down. Because they went so slow up till then, they sprinted pretty good. I was always going to get there, it just took a little bit longer than I thought. He half laboured for a little bit there, he changed strides, but then the over the last 100m he knuckled down again and he hit the line good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sneaky Long (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with Watchyerback (C. Reith). Sommersea Drive (K. Pope) had a tendency to lay out throughout the event. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Crosswise, jockey J. Bowditch stated that the horse travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and when asked for an effort to improve near the 700m was under pressure and did not finish the race off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination of Crosswise failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
4yo and up Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Yass River; 2nd - Dawn's Pride; 3rd - Manic Monday
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, mate. There was a few of them coming. I struggled to get to the leader. No sooner got to the leader and John’s other old horse (Red Sphere – which is also trained by John Morrisey) put up a hell of a fight. My bloke really had to dig deep, but to his credit he did and he got there in the end. It was a good tough win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dartbolt (R. Wiggins) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. Near the 1200m Dartbolt improved on to the heels of Bann Ruby (J. Bowditch) and had to be steadied. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Dawn’s Pride was found to be suffering heat stress following the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Western Warrior, Hearty Laughter, Phebetay, Kings Artist, Ostras, Cajun Moon, Dartbolt, Bann Ruby, Red Sphere, Honour Happy List, Tariki, Onalar.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 3, 4 and 8, and Bazzooka.
Race 1:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Bob And Dolly; 2nd - Neeson; 3rd - Easy Knight
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “We thought it was an enormous run last time (on debut). He just got a bit lost first start in a race. He has just gone ahead in leaps and bounds. We were just desperate to try to find a 1200m race for him, but we couldn’t. The wet track’s brought them back to him and he finished hard. He is a very strong horse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a very nice horse further down the track.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “From the jump the horse was on one rein and it was hanging out the whole way. He hang out badly in the straight. Over the final hundred metres, it was just sort of do or die, so I just let him do his own thing. I went for him and he was too strong. He is a real nice horse. It was only his second start and he is obviously still learning. I don’t know why he was hanging like that, but we’ll work him out. He handled the going alright. At the top of the straight, just before the straight, there was a patch he hit where he scrambled a bit, but he got through that. Other than that he went through it pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bob And Dolly (E. Wilkinson) blundered on jumping away. Neeson (P. Wolfgram) shifted in and made contact with Easy Knight (B. Evans) on jumping away. Bob And Dolly shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Perfect Option (C. Spry) sustained a small laceration to the front of the off-hind coronet.
Race 2:
Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Tisani Boy; 2nd - Admiral Gherkin; 3rd - Sir Monashee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Hatch: “He’s is a lovely horse. He proved he’s got a touch of class. It was a super win. I think he’s got a great future. He is going to win a big race for sure. He’s probably not even suited over 1000m. He probably wants a lot further, you know. He is a 1200m ... 1400m horse. I think he is a serious horse. He didn’t seem to handle the going today yet still produced the win. He has got his problems. He got bruised heels – bad feet. We just ice them. Brett (Evans) does a lot of work on him, icing him and so forth. ”
Hatch will be leaving Toowoomba on March 1 and moving to Wadham Park, a 200 acre facility which is located in the Gold Coast hinterland on the outskirts of Canungra.
Hatch: “It’s just a great opportunity to get a better class of horse and a better owner. A lot of owners ring up and say they are interested in getting horses to train and they won’t have them trained in Toowoomba for one reason or other. The move has been in the mix for six to eight months and I just think it is a great opportunity.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Oh mate, I don’t think he knew what he was doing early. The first fifty yards he had no idea in the heavy going. I just kept a hold of his head and rode him and kept him as close as I could while keeping him happy enough back there. Then when I asked him to go he responded well and did a good job. I do know the horse well. I work with him all the time and do his feet every morning.”
Brent Evans is apprenticed to the Lindsay Hatch stable. He transferred there from Brett Kavanagh and he has enjoyed eye-catching success since arriving in Toowoomba where he currently has a clear-cut lead in the Toowoomba Jockey’s Premiership.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
No incidents.
Race 3:
1MW Handicap - 1800m
1st - Malela; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Ostras
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kevin Kemp: “It’s the fourth Saturday in a row that we’ve had a winner in Brisbane. That is just unbelievable. I hope I’ve got something in the stable I can bring down here next week. Just when you’re hot, you got to try to stay hot. This one will also be going to Sydney (with Dance Girl Dance). I didn’t want to say she was definitely going before the race, because when you say they’re definitely going, they run last. I hope Ric (McMahon) will ride them. We’ll ask him.”
Jockey Ric McMahon: “I was sort of happy to drop off the speed at one stage. Look, the leader Ostras, it runs along, but it hasn’t been racing real well so I knew it would come back to me. So I let him go. I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was pretty lucky actually because the two in front of me, they chased it a little bit. When they chased from the half mile it was too hot for me, I just travelled up and I got her on the bit, you know. As soon as I asked her to just get a little bit closer she kept up picking up good. The way she made up ground so quickly was bit of a combination of her improving and the others stopping. I was never worried about moving up inside horses at the top of the straight. I was still four or five off the fence. I never moved ... I never hit her until inside the furlong, because I knew I pretty much had it. She handled the going well. Yeah, I probably will go to Sydney with Kevin’s two horses.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Malela (R. McMahon) and Riseupsinging (E. Wilkinson) made contact on jumping away.
Race 4:
3yo Handicap - 1400m
1st - High Roll'n Woman; 2nd - Phebetay; 3rd - Star Of Ombra
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “They asked if I could put her in just behind the pace ... sort of sit third or fourth. I ended up sitting fifth or sixth. I got back more than I wanted. That was because they went quite hard in front and also because of the heavy going. My horse didn’t quite handle it. Yet she still managed to win through having a bit of heart, you know. I saved her all up until the furlong and then asked her to go and she toughed it out real good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R. Heathcote was fined $100 under LR. 70 for failing to declare R. Stewart as the rider of Star Of Ombre by the prescribed time. Stewards accepted the explanation of trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of B. El-Issa as the rider of Upgrading. Universal Brave (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Castiglione Kid (R. Wiggins) jumped out at the start making contact with Zsazsa (D. Craven). Universal Brave and Kbenrenrun (L. Cassidy) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 800m Castliglione Kid and Universal Brave made contact. Universal Brave and Castiglione Kid raced wide for the majority of the event. Approaching the 400m Zsazsa shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with Universal Brave on several occasions. Professor (A. Pattillo) was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Kbenrenrun revealed a laceration inside the cheek on the off side.
Race 5:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - Sam's Express; 2nd - Rebounded; 3rd - Onalar
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “He’s just been unlucky this horse. He always gets cluttered up. You have a look at his form. His first run up he was wide (from an eleven draw). Next run at Doomben he never got out and then his last run he never got out. He is a real honest horse, but things just haven’t gone his way. The extra ground did help, because the mile (which he got here) and further is his best distance.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “It was a great battle actually. I just bounced him out of the gates and I was always going to sit second to Rebounded. I got a nice run there. Rebounded was just pulling a bit during the race. I just got a beautiful run. He relaxed. Shifted up a bit closer at the 600m. Then I just waited, waited, waited until well in the straight. I made my move and we went up there and headed him (Rebounded). My horse fought well. He dug deep. I’ve never rode a city winner before. Today’s my first – and now it’s a double.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Onalar (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Tariki (P. Gesler) raced wide for the majority of the event. Rebounded (Michael Palmer) and Sam’s Express (B. Evans) bumped at the 100m. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Pentacity, jockey J. Taylor stated that he felt the mare travelled well during running, however when placed under pressure failed to stretch out and in his opinion failed to handle the prevailing track conditions. J. Taylor added that although the mare had won on a rain-affected track it was only against maiden company on that occasion. The explanation was noted.
Race 6:
1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Abbacina; 2nd - Sir Teles; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy (who is carrying a hand injury): “I really am suffering. It’s way more sore than the other day. The swelling has come down, but it’s still incredibly painful. I was very happy because I brought the swelling right down. Even though I thought it would be sore, I didn’t think it would anywhere as sore as it is. I had a scan and the ligaments are intact. They are not pulled away from the bone. So they are intact, but there is an incredible amount of fluid around the joint. So the ligaments aren’t torn, but they said I’ll need two weeks for the injury to heal. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’ve got very good rides Wednesday. I could probably ride a treble on Wednesday. I’ll just have to see how I pull up after this.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Base Dancer (E. Wilkinson) over-raced in the early stages and when being restrained near the 800m got its head up and raced ungenerously. J. Atkins, the trainer of Bazzooka, which bled from both nostrils during the event, was advised that the horse would be barred from racing for a period of three months under the provisions of AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from Bazzooka.
Race 7:
Quality Handicap - 1200m
1st - Vocalic; 2nd - Momentously; 3rd - Sommersea Drive
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “He likes the Eagle Farm 1200m, and he doesn’t seem to mind it soft , even though I think the Semipalatinsk side, with Telitina, (the damline influence) stops him a little. That’s where he hovered halfway up the straight. He seemed to mark time a bit for a while there. Yeah, he’s a bit of a track specialist. Most of his city wins, I think all of his city wins, have been here at Eagle Farm. It takes a good horse to win six at Eagle Farm and I think he has sailed past $400 000 in stakes now.”
Jockey Ric McMahon (who completed a double on the day): “He is a lovely horse. Does everything right. Jumps good. Travelled well. Then, they steadied. From the 600m he just grabbed the bit and he towed me into it, you know. I pretty much didn’t have to do anything. He pretty much did it for me. He just travelled so well and then I let him down. Because they went so slow up till then, they sprinted pretty good. I was always going to get there, it just took a little bit longer than I thought. He half laboured for a little bit there, he changed strides, but then the over the last 100m he knuckled down again and he hit the line good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sneaky Long (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with Watchyerback (C. Reith). Sommersea Drive (K. Pope) had a tendency to lay out throughout the event. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Crosswise, jockey J. Bowditch stated that the horse travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and when asked for an effort to improve near the 700m was under pressure and did not finish the race off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination of Crosswise failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
4yo and up Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Yass River; 2nd - Dawn's Pride; 3rd - Manic Monday
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, mate. There was a few of them coming. I struggled to get to the leader. No sooner got to the leader and John’s other old horse (Red Sphere – which is also trained by John Morrisey) put up a hell of a fight. My bloke really had to dig deep, but to his credit he did and he got there in the end. It was a good tough win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dartbolt (R. Wiggins) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. Near the 1200m Dartbolt improved on to the heels of Bann Ruby (J. Bowditch) and had to be steadied. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Dawn’s Pride was found to be suffering heat stress following the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Western Warrior, Hearty Laughter, Phebetay, Kings Artist, Ostras, Cajun Moon, Dartbolt, Bann Ruby, Red Sphere, Honour Happy List, Tariki, Onalar.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 3, 4 and 8, and Bazzooka.
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