FLEM NOV 06 - PLAYWRIGHT GIVES PUMPA CITY WIN

By Taron Clarke | Monday, November 8, 2010

Flemington, November 6, 2010.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - Out 9m. Penetrometer: 4.72.
7Mate Handicap Open - 2000m.
Time: 2-03.41. 600m Sectional: 34.59. (Carrying 57.5kg).
1 Playwright; 2 Red Colossus; 3 Allanthus.
Margins: 1.8L x 1.2L

Playwright scored a deserved city win on Saturday at Flemington when he led all the way to score an easy victory in the 7Mate Handicap over 2000 metres.

The win gave Playwright his third victory at Flemington after previously winning the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes in 2008 and an Open Handicap on New Year’s Day this year.

As a three-year-old, Playwright raced as a horse with tremendous ability and even placed third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas behind Light Fantastic and Marching in 2008. Playwright had failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him until recent times when the horse took out the Benalla Gold Cup in early October.

Jockey Matt Pumpa took the ride and maintained his unbeaten record on the son of Light Fantastic after the pair had combined to win the Benalla Cup.

Favourite for the event was the Group 1 placegetter Red Colossus for Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell and jockey Chris Symons.

Coming off the back of a creditable fifth placing behind champion So You Think in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes seven days ago, the son of Testa Rossa was expected to be too strong for his seven rivals.

But, when noted front runner Allanthus was ridden off the speed, this allowed top-weight Playwright to dictate terms to his liking and score a soft victory by a length and three quarters over the favourite Red Colossus and a further length and a quarter back to Allanthus in third placing.

The win took Playwright’s record to thirty nine starts for six wins and eleven minor placing and just under $650,000 in stakes earnings.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steve Richards: “He's been really consistent this time around.

"All his runs have been good barring the one on the heavy track at Caulfield. That was his only poor performance and we had excuses.

“We were lucky. We got a break in the weather otherwise he wouldn't have been a chance today.

“I didn't know it (Allanthus) wasn't going to lead. I thought it would and I said to Matty, ‘you'll sit there outside him maybe', but I said once the gates open you ride your own race.

“It's been a good preparation to win a nice race like this and the Benalla Cup.”

Jockey Matt Pumpa: “We led at Benalla and he got a nice run and he won quite good and last start over the 2200 metres he just didn't really see the trip out.

“Today, we got a nice run out in front and he gave a good sight and kicked well.

“I thought Allanthus would lead and I'd sit off it, but it obviously took the sit and we took it up and I wasn't complaining.

“I've been riding out in the country meetings. I've been at Echuca Cup day and Warrnambool on Cup day the other day … a lot of travelling.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Playwright): 6.50 out to 7.00 onto 6.00.
Favourite (Red Colossus): 1.80 out to 2.15. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer B Jenkins advised stewards that it was the stable’s intention to ride Allanthus quieter today. Allanthus was ridden accordingly.

C Brown (Lariston) explained that his mount was highly strung in the mounting yard, fractious in the barriers and hung out during the event.

D Nikolic (Magnetic East) was severely reprimanded for breaching the provisions of AR137(A)(5)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on six occasions in a forehand manner prior to the 100 metres.

D Nikolic was reminded of his obligations under the rules when using his whip on a horse when out of contention.

Subsequent to the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Carbon Trader had pulled up severely sore near in the near-fore.