MV SEPT 24 - SUNDAY ROSE CONTINUES BART’S RUN

By Taron Clarke | Sunday, September 26, 2010

Moonee Valley, September 24, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - Out 3m. Penetrometer 4.63.
3YO + Fillies and Mares Handicap - 955m.
Time: 56.13. 600m Sectional: 34.84. (Carrying 54.5kg).
1 Sunday Rose; 2 Netra; 3 Play Just For Me.
Margins: 0.5L x 0.3L.

Moonee Valley’s inaugural running of the Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge was run and won at Moonee Valley on Friday night. The first in a series of races attracts a $50,000 bonus to any runner that can break 55 seconds for the 955 metre scamper.

The race was thrown wide open when the second favourite in the event Alittlevolcanic was a late scratching at the barriers after failing to load for the sprint.

In an open race the Bart Cummings trained mare Sunday Rose was sent out the punters elect.

Ridden by an in-form Michael Rodd the mare by Exceed And Excel jumped away only fairly and, as expected, settled towards the rear of the field, seven lengths off the leader who was the Lyn Tolson trained Humma Mumma.

The field bunched appreciably as the leaders motored towards to the home turn.

Rodd and Sunday Rose found themselves in third last position between runners with a wall of runners in front of them and nowhere to go inside the 400 metre mark.

Humma Mumma balanced up the leader from Netra and Play Just For Me, who was slipping up along the fence.

In a ride that was reminiscent of his winning ride aboard Efficient in the 2006 VRC Derby, Rodd was able to weave a magical path through a wall of runners and present Sunday Rose to the outside of Netra’s heels with 120 metres to go.

Once in daylight the Cummings mare was always going to finish off strongly and she powered to the line to strike the front at the 50 metre mark.

Over the final stages Rodd sat up and posed for the cameras as the chestnut scored an easy win on the back of a ten out of ten ride.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Michael Rodd: “It looked on paper like it was going to be a swoopers race with so much pace in the race.

“The short races can change complexion in a split second so I tried not to think too much about it and just let it happen.

“I had a whole lotta horse under me coming to the turn and I just needed a bit of luck, which I got. In the end it was a pretty soft win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sunday Rose): 5.50 out to 6.00 into 4.60.
The winner was the favourite.

Horse to follow: By virtue of a sensational winning ride, Sunday Rose took her record to three wins and three placing’s from eleven starts with prize money of just over $170,000.

The cup’s king will no doubt continue to place the mare to perfection and she can be followed with confidence through the early part of the spring.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed for more than three mins due to Alittlevolcanic being fractious behind the barriers and unable to load.

Alittlevolcanic was subsequently a late scratching at 8.17pm by order of the Stewards.

Trainer Mr B Merrall was advised Alittlevolcanic must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.

Hooness jumped away awkwardly and got its head up.

Near the 300m Falvelon’s Dream shifted out to improve and in doing so bumped Nosugar.

Rounding the home turn and in the straight Hooness was held up for clear running until inside the 100m.

D Oliver (Humma Mumma) was reminded of his obligations under the rules to ensure he rides his mounts out to the finishing post at least hands and heels.

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