EF MAR 19 - TOPPING GOES ALL THE WAY

By Graham Potter | Monday, March 21, 2011

Eagle Farm, March 19, 2011.
Track - Heavy 8. Rail - out 6.5m.
Open Handicap - 1833m.
1 Topping; 2 Teary Eyed; 3 Rebounded.
Time: 1-55.97. (Carrying 53kg). Last 600m: 37.50.
Margins: 2.00; 0.75.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “Chris (Munce) said before the race, you know there is probably not a lot of speed in the race, so we thought we’d let him roll forward.

“The other day he got beat … going back, couldn’t get out … things like that, so we let him roll forward this time.

“Chris is a master in staying races so, you know, just happy to have him on.

“We wanted to give him a bit of a freshen up before the Toowoomba Cup. That is his aim … in a week-and-a-half.

“Now he has won that today obviously he will get in. That’s been our goal the whole prep.

“I’ve won a Toowoomba Cup. I really badly want to win a Weetwood, but I’ve probably got better hopes in the Cup this year.

“I hope Chris stays with the ride.”

Jockey Chris Munce: “He is racing well enough to give himself every chance of winning a race like the Toowoomba Cup.

“He has won on the Cushion track which will be to his advantage at Toowoomba.

“He is very fit. He is enjoying his racing. He’s doing everything right and Michael (Nolan) has done a good job at keeping him up at that level for a while now.

“He actually surprised me because, even though he led and they weren’t going quick, he was probably going a little bit keener than I would have liked … yet he still kicked on very strong.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Topping): 6.00 in to 4.00.
Favourite (Teary Eyed): 3.20 out to 3.70. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1600m Lyncean Academy (J. Bowditch) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Sir Kingsford (App M. Palmer) and Teary Eyed (J. Byrne), which shifted out.

Stewards sought an explanation from L. Cassidy regarding the riding tactics employed on Humma today, which settled back towards the rear of the field.

L. Cassidy explained that Humma was slow to begin and following this he rode the gelding forward however, after passing the 1500m it was apparent to him that with 58 kilograms he would have had to have ridden the gelding very aggressively to move forward and cross Eire Of Magic (P. Hammersley) and race outside the leader.

For this reason L. Cassidy elected to restrain Humma to a rearward trailing position behind Teary Eyed (J. Byrne).

L. Cassidy further stated that from that point Humma travelled comfortably however, did not quicken as expected when placed under pressure after passing the 600m and he attributed this to the big weight and the rain affected track conditions.

Stewards noted the explanation provided.

Stewards questioned trainer M. Nolan regarding the tactics employed by jockey C. Munce on Topping today whereby the horse led which is in contrast to its most recent start.

Mr Nolan stated that after discussing tactics with C. Munce prior to the race they both agreed that there was a distinct lack of speed in the event and believed that Topping would race in a handy position.

Mr Nolan added that he was somewhat surprised to see Topping take the lead but given the slow pace of the race he felt that the decision of C. Munce to take the front was a telling factor in the success of Topping today.

Stewards accepted Mr Nolan's comments relating to the lack of pace in the race but advised him that his obligation remained to advise stewards of any change of tactics so that announcements can be made to that effect.

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