DOOM OCT 24 - DRUMSHANBO BACK IN WINNING MODE

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Doomben, October 24, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Open Handicap - 2020m. Time: 2-04.17.
1 Drumshanbo; 2 Roy's Legacy; 3 Yield Curve.

When the Michael Nolan trained Drumshanbo won three-in-row last prep, all of those wins were achieved over distances in excess of 1800m. This prep the five-year-old has been slowly building up in distance - from the 1200m at the Sunshine Coast, when resuming in mid-August, to the mile test in his last start prior to this outing as Nolan patiently brought the five-year-old back to his best. This time it was all systems go over the preferred 2020m trip and Drumshanbo duly returned to his winning ways.

It was a bit of a chess game early as two top jockeys Larry Cassidy (on Drumshabo) and Glen Colless (aboard Art Success) sparred with each other. After Cassidy had settled in behind the early leader Roy’s Legacy, Colless took Art Success past both of those runners to lead. Cassidy responded by taking Drunshambo up into second behind Art Success. When Colless slowed the pace in the back straight Cassidy looked to take Drumshambo to the front, but Colless defended that move by kicking Art Success up on the rail again. The two runners then raced side by side, steadily increasing the tempo, until the turn.

Art Success was the first to cry enough and Drumshanbo kicked away soon after straightening. Roy’s Legacy, who had raced in third spot for much of the race after being relieved of the lead early, set off in pursuit of Drumshanbo. The eight-year-old stuck gamely to his task all the way to the line, but Drumshanbo was never going to give ground away easily. It was a rousing finish in its own way as Drumshanbo, with his distinctive action (he carries his head low when in full stride), showing no signs of weakness as he chased to the line to hold the much larger and more intimidating Roy’s Legacy at bay by 0.30 lengths.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “I could have made a mistake. When the leader steadied and Art Success went around I should have actually gone straight to the front then, but I sort of went up outside him. Then when he slowed I thought, well I’ll go and then he kicked up. So I sort of made the wrong move. I should have gone to the front sooner.

“As it panned out I knew he would outstay them, so I was happy to serve it up to the leader from the 600 because I knew he wouldn’t lay down. He won three on end earlier and then he ran a place in a reasonable race over the carnival and obviously he’s come back and hit form again. So one thing he can do ... he can stay. If he gets any give in the ground he gets better again.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Drumshambo): 4.00 out to 4.20.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Connections of Drumshambo advised stewards that the horse would be ridden closer to the lead if circumstances permit.

Stewards sought an explanation from jockey G. Colless, rider of Art Success, in respect of the riding tactics employed today on the horse. G. Colless stated that the gelding began well from the barriers and approaching the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to take up a position behind Drumshambo (L. Cassidy) one off the rail, however was unable to do so when Yield Curve improved to his inside. C. Colless added that he was obliged to race three wide and felt it was in the horse's best interests to allow it to improve forward and take up a position in the lead. Stewards accepted the explanation.

An inquiry will be opened into the reasons for C. Reith being dislodged from Onalar near the 300m. C. Reith was transported to hospital to undergo x-rays to his right leg. Riding changes were made as per the Stewards Summary Sheet.

Crowning Force (S. Apthorpe) raced wide throughout.