DORF COMMAND GETS UP IN THE LAST STRIDE

By Graham Potter | Monday, June 15, 2009

The Clarry Connors trained Dorf Command scored a last-gasp victory in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on Saturday.

The filly produced a late flourish under a strong ride by Jim Byrne to snare the Trevor Bailey trained Go Johemma on the line to claim the fifth win of her career. Bailey also saddled the third placed runner, Kisani.

Connors seldom has a horse go around at this carnival that is not likely to threaten the result and Dorf Command was just the latest in a long line of successes that the trainer has enjoyed when visiting Queensland. The three-year-old has been nominated for the Group 1, Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Gai Waterhouse Classic Handicap (Fillies & Mares - Quality) - 1350m. Time: 1-20.099.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - True.
1 Dorf Command; 2 Go Johemma: 3 Kisani

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jim Byrne: “The horse was in last Monday actually (at Doomben). Thankfully they scratched her (she drew 22) and ran here instead. She drew a bad barrier again today, but we weren’t going to panic. She raced a bit out wide sort of thing ... but I got a pretty good run down the back. We do know the horse has a good turn of foot going to the line. She just peaked on her run at the 20m. Up until there I thought she was going to take care of them pretty easy but to her credit ... she is not very big ... she really fought back strong.

"I was fairly confident that I had got there but I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure. It’s been a pretty frustrating carnival for Clarry (Connors). He’s had shocking luck at the barriers, so I’m glad we were able to get this one home for him.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Dorf Command): 10.00 steady.
Favourite (High Roll’n Woman): 3.20 in to 3.00 out to 3.10. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After arriving at the barrier S. Seamer (Calchris) sought a veterinary examination as he was concerned with the way it had worked to the start. Calchris was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to run. S. Seamer went on to say that he had been asked to have the horse in a forward position but despite his riding his mount was reluctant to stretch out and he had to ease up on the horse in an endeavour to get it on the bit.

A post race veterinary examination of Calchris revealed the mare was lame in the near fore leg. Before Calchris races again a veterinary certificate of fitness will be required to be produced.