EF NOV 27 - TWO-OUT-OF-TWO FOR OUTSTANDINGLY

By Graham Potter | Monday, November 29, 2010

Eagle Farm, November 27, 2010.
Track - Good. Rail - out 2.5m. Penetrometer - 5.
Country Cup (No more than 1MW - Special conditions) - 1200m.
Time: 1-09.97. Last 600m: 35.40. (Carrying 53kg).
1 Outstandlingly; 2 Craiglea Falcon; 3 Bazzooka.

Outstandingly, a four-year-old Exceed And Excel gelding, made it two wins from two starts this prep when he claimed his fourth career win by prevailing in a pressurized finish over 1200m in the Country Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Outstandingly came into this race on a ten day back-up following his first-up success at Doomben over 1030m on November 17. He was partnered by Larry Cassidy on that occasion. Cassidy again held the reins here and he certainly had to earn his money in what turned out to be a really competitive contest.

Cassidy had to angle his mount out halfway up the straight in order to set Outstandingly up for a final high speed chase to the line in which he was pressured on all sides as he simultaneously tried to reel in the free-running Bazzooka while trying to hold off the determined finish of Craiglea Falcon to his outside.

In the end, Outstandingly showed great determination and he kept sticking his head out to take the honours by a short-head and a neck to Craiglea Falcon and Bazooka respectively.

The finish was no place for the faint hearted and all three place-getters emerged with credit as they built on previous solid performances to have their individual form graphs going firmly in the right direction.

Outstandingly was a two time winner from ten starts when he relocated to the Robert Heathcote stable to begin his fourth preparation.

Outstandingly has doubled his number of wins in quick time and the first place prize-money on Saturday doubled his career earnings to date, which already makes the decision to bring him to Brisbane a successful one.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “It’s never easy to win second-up against that class of horse. To jump from Class 3 midweek race and come to town on a Saturday … it was a bloody good effort.

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “It was a very good win against tough older horses.

“He is a handy sort of a horse. I rode him confidently. I thought I’d just make sure I could come to the outside.

“If anything he got a little bit lost when he got to the front out there in the middle of the track, but he really fought hard.

“He’s got plenty of heart. This is only his second start up here. It was not an easy sort of a race. He is certainly on the up.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Outstandingly): 2.70 out to 3.20.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
P. Hammersley restrained The Joker shortly after the start to obtain a position closer to the running rail.

Approaching the 1000m, Unconquerable (C. McIver) had to be restrained to avoid the heels of Bazzooka (B. Stewart), which shifted in when not fully clear.

B. Stewart, rider of Bazzooka, was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground. In considering the matter, stewards took into account that Bazzooka had a tendency to lay in at this stage of the race.

Leaving the 400m, Beautiful Timing (S. Seamer), when attempting to obtain clear running, improved up on to the heels of Seen Im (J. Taylor) and had to be severely checked.

At the same stage, The Joker (P. Hammersley) was held up behind the tiring Red Ferments (B. Evans) until a point passing the 300m.

Near the 150m, Verridon (B. El-Issa) shifted out under pressure, taking Beautiful Timing (S. Seamer) out on to Final Crunch (J. Piper), which became unbalanced and was taken out on to Seem Im (J. Taylor), which also became unbalanced when bumped. B. El-Issa, rider of Verridon, was reprimanded.

Red Ferments (B. Evans), Seen Im (J. Taylor) and Fidakaat (J. Holder) raced wide throughout.

Stewards intend to question C. Munce and B. El-Issa regarding the riding of their respective mounts over the concluding stages of the race.

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