EF FEB 10 - ROGUES OUTGUNS LEGAL DIVA

By Graham Potter | Friday, February 12, 2010

Eagle Farm, February 10, 2010.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - out 10m.
Class 3 Handicap (Fillies & Mares) - 1500m. Time: 1-31.43. (Carrying 55.5kg).
1 Rogues; 2 Legal Diva; 3 Lilly Of The Field.

The Rochelle Pereira trained Rogues scored her second win in her last three starts when she outlasted Legal Diva to win by 0.75 lengths.

The mare was given the run of the race in third spot on a fair speed behind Legal Diva and A little Knowledge. Jockey Ric McMahon asked Rogues to creep closer approaching the turn and he switched the mare out to be the widest runner on straightening.

Rogues was still in third place at the top of the straight, but she was already starting to build momentum. As A Little Knowledge cried enough and began to weaken, Legal Diva kicked away at the head of affairs ... and Rogues gave chase.

Inside the last 200m the race had come down to this two-way battle. Legal Diva kept fighting gamely, but Rogues was relentless and her long chase was rewarded when she gained the upper hand over Legal Diva inside the final 100m to edge away to claim the third win of her career.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Ric McMahon: “Yeah, definitely ... for sure I was looking for the good part of the track.

“I was lucky enough ... there wasn’t a lot of speed in the race. My horse shows a bit of speed. I just went out there and sat in behind them.

“I sort of just come around them coming to the turn. I got to the better part of the track and she let down good.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Rogues): 5.00 out to 9.00.
Favourite (Lilly Of The Field): 2.70 out to 2.90. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As trainer W. Sutton advised that he would be unable to arrive on course on time due to transport difficulties, Under No Illusion was declared a late scratching at 12.45 p.m.

Olvarez (J. Stanley) was slow to begin.

After passing the 800m Jouer Le Jeu (C. Reith) shifted out around the heels of Striking Rose (L. Rolls). As a result Hell Week (N. Evans) was forced wider on the track.

For some distance approaching and passing the 300m Olvarez was inclined to lay out and was held up behind the heels of A Little Knowledge, which had commenced to weaken. Near the 200m Olvarez shifted in across the heels of A Little Knowledge to obtain clear running.

T. Treichel, the rider of A Little Knowledge, which performed below expectations, explained that the mare may not have been suited to the quick one week back-up and in his view is better suited ridden back in the field with cover.

A post-race veterinary examination of A Little Knowledge revealed the mare to be exhibiting an abnormal heart recovery rate. Trainer R. Rowley was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required prior to the horse racing again.

M. Hughes, the rider of Mulsanne, explained that the mare failed to handle today's rain-affected track.

R. McMahon, the rider of Rogues, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on eight consecutive occasions prior to the 100m and was fined $400.