CELESTAFY AMBUSHES HER RIVALS

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Ray Dart trained Celestafy produced a race-winning finish under a measured ride from Scott Seamer to take out the 3yo QTIS Handicap at Ipswich on Saturday.

Celestafy came from off the speed to range up to a line of runners who were disputing the lead with less than 100m left to run. For a moment it looked like Celestafy would join issue with the leading group and fight out a four-cornered contest, but his momentum carried him right past his rivals and on to a clearcut victory.

This was Celestafy’s biggest win to date, with the $53 000 winners’ cheque being almost double the amount he had earned in his previous thirteen starts.

QTIS 3yo Handicap - 1350m. Time: 1-21.76.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - True.
1 Celestafy; 2 Syndrome; 3 Our Nautique.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Reece Dart (son of trainer Ray Dart who was away in Europe): “She had a bit of a jump up in class to Listed company last run. She went alright but she didn’t really handle the track. Today she just got a good run. Scottie rode her well and we are obviously very happy with the result. We’ll just see how she pulls up, but she might go to the Sunshine Coast Guineas. Dad (Ray Dart) bred her and the mother. The mother (Celestial Star) didn’t win. She only had one start. She’s had a couple to race. She had Godly. He was plagued by leg problems ... and this one has won three now.”

Jockey Scott Seamer: “She was always travelling well. I just had to ride for luck and I got the splits at the right time.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Celestafy): 10.00 steady.
Favourite (Yatala): 3.00 out to 3.50. Finished fourth.

STERWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 1000m Yatala became unbalanced and was checked when momentarily crowded by Moulin Lady (G. Colless), which was endeavouring to find a position closer to the rail. When Yatala checked Our Nautique which was following was checked in consequence. It was decided to take no action however, G. Colless was reprimanded and advised he must exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

G. Colless (Moulin Lady) explained from a difficult gate he was obliged to cover ground during the run but he was of the view that at no stage was Moulin Lady stretching out as he thought it would and the run was in his opinion generally disappointing. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have suffered a small laceration to the off-side-fore arm.