FLEM SEPT 04 - HOLLOWLEA BOUNCES BACK WITH A SOLID WIN

By Taron Clarke | Sunday, September 5, 2010

Flemington, September 4, 2010.
Track - Slow 7. Rail - True. Penetrometer 5.02.
Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (Listed) 3YO SW+P - 1400m.
Time: 1-26.88. 600m Sectional: 36.56. (Carrying 55kg).
1 Hollowlea; 2 Altius; 3 Censor.
Margins: 1.8L x 0.1L.

Even though the form guide indicated that Stawell galloper Hollowlea was first up at Flemington on Saturday, it was well documented that the galloper was involved in the sickening fall that took place two weeks earlier in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Stawell mentor’s Terry and Karina O’Sullivan left Flemington extremely pleased, after the Hidden Dragon colt was able to erase the memories of two weeks ago and win the Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes over 1400 metres.

Jockey Nick Hall retained the mount after being dislodged in the fall at Moonee Valley and had the son of Hidden Dragon settle in fifth position, four lengths off the lead.

Hall put Hollowlea under pressure at the 400 metre mark and the Stawell trained colt lengthened well to ease across the leaders heels and come to the centre of the track with a well timed run.

Hollowlea and Hall struck the front at the furlong pole and surged clear over the concluding stages to post a handsome victory by just under two lengths to Altius.

Well related colt Altius, ridden by champion jockey Damien Oliver was the eye catcher of the event, making up a lot of ground in the straight to grab second position over favourite and the consistent Freedman galloper Censor who battled on well for third.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Terry O’Sullivan: “The Peach’s have been with me for twenty five years … more than that actually, so its been a long time. It’s a great result.

“We have had a bit of luck. This little horse has never done a thing wrong. He was a bit stiff the other day at Moonee Valley.

“I was happy Nick (Hall) stayed with him so I thought he must of thought he was travelling alright when he got tangled up with the faller … so I’m really rapt.

“There’s always a little question mark when they haven’t raced on the heavy, but I always thought he would handle the soft ground. He seems to at home.

“Doesn’t it make a difference that barrier. It just makes a massive difference and they went pretty solid.

“They looked like they jumped out and ran it along and he just got the perfect suck along behind, which makes a massive difference at the end of a race.

“We were up in the air after Moonee Valley. I’ll have a talk to Nick (Hall). I’m not sure which way we’ll go whether he will get any further.

“He seemed to race well at the Valley (Moonee). He had no luck first up there … perhaps a race like the Bill Stutt Stakes.

“I don’t know whether he would be up to a race like the Guineas (Caulfield). You’d love to think he would be, but if he could get a mile a race like the Bill Stutt Stakes maybe within his grasp.”

Jockey Nick Hall: “He let down good. The inside couple of lanes are definitely inferior which showed when I eased him off the inside.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hollowlea): 18.00 out to 26.00.
Favourite (Censor): 3.20 out to 3.30 into 2.60. Finished third.

Horse to Follow: Tony Vasil’s well bred colt Altius continues to take big steps. Showing that he is more than one dimensional, Altius settled well, came from well back in the field and looked particularly strong over the concluding stages. Vasil has the son of Redoute’s Choice on a VRC Derby path.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Missing In Action (NZ) was slow to begin.

Achievements raced wide without cover.

The Ruffian lost its near-fore plate during the running of the race.

S Arnold reported at the scales that Precious Lorraine did not handle today’s track conditions. D Dunn reported that The Ruffian did not handle the track conditions today.

After the running of the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Altius had sustained a laceration to its off-hind leg.

More articles