CAUL OCT 16 - RETRIEVE CONFIRMS HIS DERBY CREDENTIALS

By Taron Clarke | Monday, October 18, 2010

Caulfield, October 16, 2010.
Track - Heavy 10. Rail - Out 6m. Penetrometer 6.45.
Norman Robinson Stakes (Group 3) 3YO Open SW+P - 2000m.
Time: 2-08.38. 600m Sectional: 37.19. (Carrying 57kg).
1 Retrieve; 2 Almindoro; 3 Digital Fortress.
Margins: 0.5L x 0.2L.

Peter Snowden’s colt Retrieve took a stranglehold on the VRC Derby with a solid performance to score in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes over 2000 metres at Caulfield on Saturday.

The son of Rahy atoned for his last start second as a beaten favourite in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes with an effortless win at Caulfield.

Snowden has always been adamant that Retrieve has been his main VRC Derby prospect and his judgement is well justified as the colt continues to impress with each racetrack performance.

After only eight lifetime starts, Retrieve looks a future stayer in the making and could possibly provide Peter Snowden with his first ever VRC Derby in two weeks’ time.

Jockey Mark Zahra was reassociated with the colt and the pair were sent out the shortest priced favourites of the ten race card at Caulfield.

Zahra settled the colt in a lovely trailing position on the fence, six lengths from the early leader, Kerchings.

The speed was genuine through the early and mid-stages and this saw the field spread out over some sixteen lengths.

Inside the 700 metre mark, Zahra eased the favourite one off the fence as the field bunched slightly.

As the runners commenced the swing for home, Retrieve travelled into the bridle strongly for Mark Zahra. The pair closed to within three lengths of the leader who now was the unbeaten stable-mate and last start conqueror, Yulalona.

Yulalona straightened a length in front of Almindoro and on his outside was the favourite Retrieve.

At the 200 metre mark, Retrieve raced up to hit the front over Almindoro and Yulalona while Digital Fortress came out of the pack making good, steady ground.

Zahra pulled the stick on the favourite and he knuckled down to draw clear over the concluding stages.

The pair scored a comfortable half-length win over Almindoro and there was a head back to Digital Fortress in third placing.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Snowden: “He gets through wet ground, but he's much better on top of the ground. It was a good tough win.

“From his last start we had a month to put in before the Derby, so I had him pretty well wound up for Randwick.

“It was in my mind that you can only get them so fit, so it was a little bit of mark time from there until today.

“For me that run will bring him along and I can start to get him back to his normal routine and head towards the Derby.

“They've got to have a good fortitude and nice ability to cope with all of this and he's coped with it well.

“He's a tough horse. He eats very well.

“He's won today. That's pleasing for me, because I know I can get him fitter for two weeks time.”

Jockey Mark Zahra: “He's a pleasure to ride. He handles all conditions, jumps, travels and finds when you need to.

“When I hit the front, he sort of star-gazed a bit. I thought Steven King (Almindoro) was going to come back at me, but we found another half-length and that was all we needed.

“We had a perfect run and got into it at the right time.

“He's just such a lovely ride over a Derby trip. He just switches off and picks up when he can. He'll be a great chance come the Derby, I think."

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Retrieve): 2.00 out to 2.20 in to 2.10.
The winner was the favourite.

Horse to follow: Retrieve is a professional little racehorse that does everything right. A deserving favourite for the VRC Derby and will improve from this run.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Altius was late in the mounting yard due to pulling a shoe and requiring to be re-plated.

Correct weight was delayed to view the head on video footage of the start and after questioning rider D Dunn and co-trainer Mr W Hawkes, Stewards were satisfied that Shadowofexcellence had been offered the opportunity to jump away with the field and therefore was declared a runner.

Mr W Hawkes was advised that a formal warning would be placed on Shadowofexcellence regarding its barrier manners today.

Shadowofexcellence reared just as the start was affected and subsequently missing the start by approximately four lengths.

At the start, Pitt Street shifted in, inconveniencing Ulundi, which bumped Retrieve.

Altius, which was a little slow to begin, was then bumped by Digital Fortress (NZ), which shifted out.

A veterinary examination of Altius revealed no abnormalities.

M Rodd (Mackadoo (NZ)) reported after the race that his mount over-raced and as a result, failed to finish the race off.

A veterinary examination of Mackadoo (NZ) revealed the colt to be lame in the near-foreleg. Co-trainers Mr M Baker & Mr B Baker were notified that prior to Mackadoo (NZ) racing again, a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required.

M Walker (Kerchings) explained on the scales that it was not his intention to lead, however, his mount had pulled hard in the early stages.

An inquiry into the reason why Pitt Street had to be checked near the 1800m was adjourned to the offices of Racing Victoria Limited on Monday 18 October at 10.00am.

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