MV SEPT 11 - CRABS EXTENDS HIS WINNING SEQUENCE

By Taron Clarke | Sunday, September 12, 2010

Moonee Valley, September 11, 2010.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - True. Penetrometer 5.02.
Open Handicap - 2500m.
Time: 2-42.36. 600m Sectional: 37.66. (Carrying 54kg).
1 Crabs; 2 Kerdem; 3 Red Buttons.
Margins: 0.4L x 1.5L.

Chris Hyland’s much maligned galloper Crabs was able to make it four wins on the trot with a courageous victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Crabs, who threw a plate on the way to the gates, was able to make it back to back Moonee Valley wins after sitting three wide throughout the 2500 metre staying test.

Ridden by regular rider apprentice Jack Hill, the Danasinga gelding was obliged to race three wide in midfield for the early and middle stages of the race.

The pace was only moderate and the Moe trained galloper Devon Destroyer led until put under extreme pressure by Jason Maskiell at the 800 metre marker and he quickly capitulated.

Crabs and Hill came with their run four wide as the field commenced the swing for home. On his immediate outside was the David Hayes trained galloper Berlioz, who looked to pose a real threat.

Responding to strong whip riding by Jack Hill, Crabs hit the front at the furlong pole and raced two lengths to the good of Berlioz while making good late ground was the top weight Kerdem.

Hill sat up on the Hyland trained galloper at the 50 metre mark and took a sustained look at the big screen as, after a torrid run in transit, Crabs racked up four wins on the trot beating Kerdem, with Red Buttons battling away strongly to grab third.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Chris Hyland: “He makes you look good that horse. The run he had I thought where can he finish?

“He’s no Group One horse … but I tell you what, you’ve just got to admire those sorts of horses that have a crack.

“He had no weight, but gee he had a tough run and I was sort of niggling him all the way … yeah I don’t know what to say … he is just a superstar horse for us.

“He is in the Newcastle Cup on Thursday. We will have a look at it. He is booked on a float on Tuesday night. We were going to have a go at the Metropolitan Handicap, but that’s probably aiming a little bit high, so we will have a think about it anyway.

Jockey Jack Hill: "I just gave him a slap at the 700 metres and he found another gear.
"He cantered up to them and almost got there too quick too early."
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Crabs): 2.50 out to 3.40.
The winner was the favourite.

Horse to follow: There were no excuses outside the winner for any runner. Crabs sat posted out three wide the entire trip and was eased down over the concluding stages to score a comfortable victory. Berlioz ran up to win the event on the turn and might have got to the 2500 metres one run too early and he may be able to pick up a restricted staying event in the near future.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Mr D. Curran, trainer of Niptious, advised the Stewards prior to Race 1 that from the wide barrier it was the stable’s intentions to try and ride the gelding today with some cover as there were several noted leaders in the race. Niptious led in the early stages when pulling hard and surrendered the lead near the 1600m.

The start of this race was delayed by several minutes as Crabs had to be replated behind the barriers.

Red Buttons was held up from the 400m until gaining clear running on entering the straight near the 200m.

Crabs raced wide without cover throughout.

Why Do You Ask was inclined to hang in during the race. Subsequent to the race, a veterinary examination of Why Do You Ask revealed that the gelding was lame in the near fore-leg. Trainer Mr S. Theodore was advised that he must produce a veterinary certificate of fitness in respect of Why Do You Ask before racing again.

Subsequent to the race, a veterinary examination of Devon Destroyer revealed no abnormalities.

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