RANDWICK, MARCH 5: HOLLER CONTROLS GROUP 1 CANTERBURY STAKES FROM START TO FINISH

By Graham Potter | Monday, March 7, 2016

Randwick, March 5, 2016.
CANTEBURY STAKES (GROUP 1).
Standard Weight For Age - 1300m.
Owners: Godolphin.

WINNER: HOLLER (3 b c Commands - Shouts).
Trainer: John O’Shea. Jockey: James McDonald.
Second: First Seal. Third: Kermadec.
Time: 1:15.40. Last 600m: 34.52.
Track: Good 3. Rail: True. Penetrometer: 4.96.
Won by 1.30 lengths at a starting price $7.50.

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THE RUN OF THE RACE:

Holler ($7.50) controlled the race throughout and was simply far too strong in the home straight where, although kept honest all the way to the line, he held off all challenges with a bit in hand.

The son of Commands made light work of getting across from the worst of the draw (albeit it was only a seven horse field) and he quickly settled at the head of affairs. Our Boy Malachi ($4.20), who was sluggish away, was chased up to sit outside the leader in the early part with Ecuador ($31) and First Seal (the $2.70 favourite) playing a waiting game behind that.

On the turn Holler still held sway but he now had First Seal in his slipstream, well placed to strike. Our Boy Malachi was sticking on gamely enough at that stage but, coming through the 300m, McDonald asked Holler for more and the colt responded on cue. His acceleration quickly put the issue beyond doubt leaving First Seal and Kermadec ($5), who kept coming without getting close enough to threaten the result, to fill the minor placings.

*Holler has now won three of his last four starts.

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WINNER FEEDBACK:

TRAINER JOHN O’SHEA:

“He's just thrived in the last three weeks and another great James McDonald ride.

“I was really happy when I saw Our Boy Malachi step slowly because James had given every indication he was going to try and control it. We knew we had a fit racehorse and it's nice when it comes off like that. It's very rewarding for the team."

JOCKEY JAMES MCDONALD:

"He was awesome away," McDonald said. "I think over this 1300m distance it's always an asset to be in front and dictating terms."

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STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:

OUR BOY MALACHI - rider T Berry stated that his mount jumped awkwardly and lost ground at
the start, resulting in him having to ride it along in the early stages to take up a forward
position. He added, after settling outside the leader, Holler, Our Boy Malachi raced too
keenly and, as a result, did not finish its race off. A post-race veterinary examination did not
reveal any abnormalities other than the gelding lost its off-fore plate in running.

KERMADEC - slow to begin.

HAPPY CLAPPER - near the 1100m made contact with Kermadec as that runner shifted off to a
true one off position to establish clear running to the outside of First Seal. As a consequence,
Happy Clapper became unbalanced as B Avdulla endeavoured to contest that position,
resulting in Happy Clapper ultimately taking a trailing position behind Kermadec.

CRITERION - a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

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