CAUL OCT 13 - ERAMOR WINS DEBUTANT STAKES FOR ‘KING OF THE KIDS’

By Taron Clarke | Thursday, October 14, 2010

Caulfield, October 13, 2010.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - True. Penetrometer 5.51.
Debutant Stakes (Listed) 2YO SW - 1000m.
Time: 59.70. 600m Sectional: 35.98. (Carrying 53.5kg).
1 Eramor; 2 Red Dress Marley; 3 Exceedingly Regal.
Margins: 2.8L x 0.1L.

David Hayes once again reaffirmed his title as ‘king of the kids’ when he prepared Eramor to win the Listed Debutant Stakes over 1000 metres at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Owned by renowned syndicator Joe O’Neill, the daughter of Stratum only fetched $30,000 at the Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale.

Eramor was able to surpass Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily’s effort in last year’s race when she finished a close second behind Dark Valley.

The field of juveniles jumped away well with the exception of Hell’s Kitchen who missed the start by some two lengths and settled down at the rear of the field.

Partnered by jockey Danny Nikolic, Eramor jumped from the outside barrier of the field in eleven.

Eramor was brilliantly into stride from her wide barrier and Nikolic took advantage of the fast getaway to drive the filly up three wide to take up the running from Mo Vo and Exceedingly Regal who held the inside running.

The favourite in the event was the Lee Freedman trained Chinchilla. Partnered by Craig Williams, Chinchilla settled down one out and one back in a lovely trailing position. On her immediate outside was the well supported Red Dress Marley for Luke Nolen.

Rounding the home turn in the 1000 metre scamper, Nikolic allowed Eramor some more leather and she slipped to a half-length lead over Exceedingly Regal who retained the fence.

Nikolic cuddled the daughter of Stratum until the 300 metre pole where he asked the filly to extend.

Eramor raced a length and a half in front of Exceedingly Regal inside the furlong with a length back to remainder of the field, headed by Red Dress Marley.

Over the concluding stages Eramor drew away for a comfortable victory over Red Dress Marley who grabbed second late in the peace from the Mick Price trained filly Exceedingly Regal who finished back in third.

The placing’s in the event were filled by three fillies with the first colt home being the favourite Chinchilla.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Hayes: “She is very professional and does everything right.

“I thought she'll improve by the run quite a bit, so she may be a nice one to follow for Flemington Cup Week in the fillies’ race.

“This was her $100,000 barrier trial, she won and it's really good.

“Joe (O'Neill) just valued it at a quarter of a million dollars, so I know he's a bit of an optimist.

“She's got all of her racing ahead of her and she's a gorgeous filly. She's not big, but when she gallops she looks big which is always a good sign.

“She's a very neat filly … walking out in the yard a few of the owners thought she looked like a foal, but when she moves she doesn't!

“The target is that lovely Listed fillies race at Flemington, I think it's on Melbourne Cup Day, and it looks an ideal race for her.”

Jockey Danny Nikolic: “She's only a pony. The hope for her is that she'll grow half a hand when she goes out.

“She was well educated, jumped very sharply out of the barriers and was able to offset that outside barrier.

“She travelled quite well around the turn. When I hit the front, I put a couple around her tail and she got a little bit lost, she rolled in a little bit, but she held them strongly.

“You'll probably find horses and jockeys will try and get out a little bit away from the inside. I'd say the track's genuine slow.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Eramor):6.00 out to 8.00.
Favourite (Chinchilla): 2.80 in to 2.70. Finished fourth.

Horse to follow: Early two-year-old form needs to be treated warily, however the winner Eramor did all the little things right and scored an impressive victory. Has speed to burn and relaxed well out three wide facing the breeze. Will improve from the outing and has the right trainer to progress through the grades.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer Mr B Cozamanis was advised that Vatican would have to obtain a further barrier certificate due to that colt being difficult to load.

Hell’s Kitchen was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start Vatican had to be steadied when tightened for room between Isopach which shifted out and Red Dress Marley which was taken in by Eramor.

D Nikolic (Eramor) was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 700m when not sufficiently clear of Minute By Minute which had to be steadied when over-racing.

Gone Skiing shifted out in the early stages of the straight and made contact with Vatican.

Near the 50m Hell’s Kitchen had to be steadied away from the heels of Exceedingly Regal which shifted ground under pressure.

Close to the finishing line Minute By Minute was tightened for room between Chinchilla and Exceedingly Regal which continued to shift ground.

Red Dress Marley lost its off-fore plate during the running of the race.

The track was downgraded from Slow 6 to Slow 7 at 1.25pm after the running of this race.

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