FLEM NOV 02 - SHEIKH MOHAMMED WATCHES ON AS PALOMARES WINS

By Taron Clarke | Thursday, November 4, 2010

Flemington, November 2, 2010.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - Out 3m. Penetrometer: 4.83.
Lexus Hybrid Plate (Listed) 3YO Fillies SW+P - 1400m.
Time: 1-24.45. 600m Sectional: 35.22. (Carrying 53kg).
1 Palomares; 2 Booklet; 3 Zelsnitz.
Margins: 5.0L x 0.2L

With the pressure of having owner Sheikh Mohammed on course, the Darley team didn’t let its wealthy owner down with Palomares scoring the easiest of victories in the Listed Lexus Hybrid Plate over 1400 metres.

Coming off the back to of two consecutive wins at Canterbury, both scored in impressive fashion, the daughter of Commands was expected to be hard to beat and was sent out at 5.50 in the betting market.

With regular stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy back in the saddle after a sickening fall mid-year, the three year old filly looked to be the Darley Empire’s best winning chance on Melbourne Cup day.

On a day where it was beneficial to be wide on the track, McEvoy kept Palomares out three wide on the course and came to the crown of the track in the straight.

The Peter Snowden trained galloper hit the front under a vice like grip at the 300 metre mark and cleared out to score and easy five length win over Booklet with a short head back to Zelsnitz in third.

Palomares scored a very impressive win and the turn of foot shown by the filly was that only good horses have.

Definitely a horse to follow in future endeavours.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Snowden: “It's been a while coming. On Saturday I thought we'd have a good chance on paper but it just didn't work with the weather, but I'm rapt to get a winner today.

“She's a nice filly. She showed nice ability last time through. she's got bigger stronger and every win's got better .... that's pleasing to see for me.

“He (Kerrin McEvoy) gave her a gun ride. She got in one-one. Full credit to Kerrin. She drew an awkward gate. I left it up to him. I said ‘you try and find a spot and slot in and just sit quiet'.

“He did all of the above and she was very strong on the line.

“It gives me an extra pleasure to win a race when Sheikh Mohammed is on course.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy: “It's a big team and great to see the boss (Sheikh Mohammed) here enjoying a great carnival during the week.

“She's going really well. Peter (Snowden) said she's trained on nicely from last time.

“It was just going to be tricky from the barrier and we worked out to press forward a little bit without overdoing anything because it was her first try at seven furlongs (1400m).

“She got there one off the fence and only had cover for a short period, but she relaxed really well and when she kicked she really kicked and put them to bed.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Palomares): 4.80 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Dance Of The Ocean): 4.20 out to 4.40. Finished eighth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Marvellous Miss was a late withdrawal at 12.05pm due to the downgrade of the track.

Life Is A Cabernet jumped away very awkwardly, shifted in and made very heavy contact with Barbie’s Bombshell.

Dance Of The Ocean was slow away.

Near the 1300m Booklet was checked when having to avoid the heels of Life Is A Cabernet after being taken out by Canconi as a result of Shiny And New getting its head up and shifting out several horses.

Stewards were satisfied the incident was caused by the racing manners of Shiny And New rather than any rider error and therefore no action was taken.

Passing the 1000m Canconi had to be eased to avoid the heels of Life Is A Cabernet which was shifting in and away from Arinosa.

Palomares raced wide without cover.

Near the 400m Dance Of The Ocean had to be checked to avoid the heels of Alotta Spur which shifted out slightly.

Trainer Mr P Moody advised that Alotta Spur would now be spelled.

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