MV OCT 23 - PRECEDENCE ROLLS ON TOWARDS THE CUP

By Taron Clarke | Monday, October 25, 2010

Moonee Valley, October 23, 2010.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - True. Penetrometer 4.61.
Moonee Valley Cup (Group 2) 4YO+ SW+P - 2500m.
Time: 2-38.94. 600m Sectional: 36.53. (Carrying 56.5kg).
1 Precedence; 2 Above Average; 3 Capecover.
Margins: 0.8L x 2.2L.

Legendary trainer Bart Cummings’ first leg of a feature winning double was brought up when consistent stayer Precedence broke through in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup over 2500 metres.

After missing out on a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup last Saturday, Cummings was forced to run the son of Zabeel in the Moonee Valley Cup in an attempt to gain a Melbourne Cup start for the five-year-old.

After receiving a 1.5kg penalty for his win in last months Listed JRA Cup, Racing Victoria’s Handicapper again gave the up and coming stayer a 1.5kg penalty for his win at Moonee Valley.

Precedence remains outside the 24 horse field for the Melbourne Cup and sits on 29th in the order of entry.

Cup’s King Bart Cummings would prefer not to run in the Lexus Stakes run over 2500 metres on Saturday which carries and automatic Cup berth for the winner of the event.

Funnily enough the last horse to win the Moonee Valley Cup - Melbourne Cup double was one of Cummings’ very own in Kingston Rule back in 1990.

The gelding, part owned by Sir Patrick Hogan, now sits on the third line of betting for the Melbourne Cup at $12.00.

Precedence was sent out a firming favourite by punters around the nation and duly saluted after receiving a beautiful run in transit.

Piloted by Sydney based jockey Blake Shinn, Precedence was quickly into stride from barrier ten.

After racing just 200 metres, Shinn had Precedence in a lovely position, one off the fence within four lengths of the leader, who was Niptious.

Although he wanted to race a little ungenerously approaching the home turn on the first occasion, Shinn was able to get a good smother on the favourite and he relaxed beautifully down the straight the first time.

A genuine tempo set up by the leader Niptious saw the field spread out over twenty lengths first to last.

The field of stayers put the 1200 metre marker behind them and the favourite Precedence was bobbing along in fifth position five lengths off the top and jockey Blake Shinn had the favourite travelling sweetly on a long rein.

Travelling past the 600 metre mark and Shinn took risk out of the equation and brought the favourite Precedence out three wide to avoid a pocket.

Four wide around the field came Above Average for jockey Damien Oliver, and the pair raced up to the girth of Precedence.

Niptious was put under extreme pressure swinging for home and the favourite raced up to strike the front under the urgings of Shinn.

Above Average was sticking to his guns on the outside and continued to rally under Oliver.

Precedence balanced up a length and a half in front of Above Average and Shinn gave the favourite a cut with the whip in his left hand.

Inside the 100 metre pole, Precedence wanted to lug back to the fence but he was two lengths clear of Above Average who could do no more.

Precedence did enough in the run to the line to defeat the gallant Above Average by three quarters of a length with a little over two lengths back to Capecover who got home well to claim third place.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bart Cummings: “It was a nice race to run him in. It was worth a few bob and hopefully that will get him into the Cup.

“His racing manners were not too bad. He (Blake Shinn) had the whip in the left hand … that keeps him straight.

“He doesn't like the whip a lot … I mean he runs away from it … so it’s only natural to put it in the left hand.

“I think after today we'll scrap that idea of adding blinkers.

“He's not field shy … give him a bit of space and he's right.”

Jockey Blake Shinn: “There's been a Melbourne Cup preparation planned out for him and he needed to win a few races to get into it.

“He's always shown that he had the class. It was just a matter of getting him to settle.

“He's still got a little bit of growing up to do, but he's progressing nicely.

“Today was a nice stepping stone and he relaxed a lot better going to the barriers pre-race and in the run. I know the speed was even throughout which helped him, but I had the race won at the 1200 metres.

“I was going easy a long way out. I just didn't need nothing to come around me.

“He's pretty classy. He was very strong to the line and had a little bit left too.

“It was hard to line up Viewed's preparation pre-race because he had no luck in the Caulfield Cup or the Mackinnon. (Shinn won the Melbourne Cup for the Cummings stable on Viewed in 2008).

“This horse is on an upward spiral and potential is untapped.

“Mr Cummings … it's well known that he knows how to train a Melbourne Cup winner and he believes he's got the credentials to do it so I'm rapt to be on him.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Precedence): 2.30 out to 2.35 into 2.05.
The winner was the favourite.

Horse to follow: A copy book ride on the favourite Precedence saw him score a deserved victory. Although his racing manners leave a little to be desired, Precedence can play a factor in this year’s Melbourne Cup, if he can gain a place in the final field.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
A short distance after the start Jessicabeel (NZ) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Niptious which shifted in when not fully clear.

Doosra Diamond raced wide without cover in the early and middle stages.

Jessicabeel (NZ) also raced wide without cover.

Near the 300m Saddler’s Story got its head up, shifted in and tightened the running of Ajhar (USA).

Persian Star failed to obtain clear running in the straight and therefore went to the line not fully tested.

Capecover (NZ) and Saddler’s Story both lost their near-fore plates during the race.

M Walker rider of Sea Galleon explained that it was the intention to ride the horse in a mid-field position however after jumping away very awkwardly he found himself further back in the field than he intended and as the entire has a tendency to over-race, he then had no other option than to ride Sea Galleon further back in the field.

After the running of the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Jessicabeel (NZ) was lame in the off-fore leg and trainer Mr J O’Shea was advised a veterinary certificate of fitness is required prior to Jessicabeel (NZ) racing again.

D Dunn rider of Master O’Reilly reported his mount had a perfect run, but it failed to finish off the race.

More articles