EF MAR 23 - HIDDEN BABE TOUGHS IT OUT

By Graham Potter | Thursday, March 24, 2011

Eagle Farm, March 23, 2011.
Track - Dead 5. Rail - out 9m.
Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares - Set weights) - 1400m.
1 Hidden Babe; 2 Finn Class; 3 Street Jam.
Time: 1-25.65. (Carrying 55kg). Last 600m: 36.69.
Margins: 1.50; Nose.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “I thought that was a really gutsy win, you know.

“She got cracked across the head twice with the whip in the straight." (See Stewards Report).

“It was also a gutsy win because she’s never had much luck with barrier draws. She often draws the outside and she is only a little wee thing.

“She really tries hard.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hidden Babe): 8.00 out to 9.00.
Favourite (Maid Of Falvelon): 3.60 in to 3.30 out to 3.40. Finished eighth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As B. Evans was unable to make the weight on Rakhmanova, M. Speers was substituted as the rider of that filly.

Trainer P. Duff advised that Tit Tat Tooee would be ridden back from the wide barrier. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Shortly after the start, Tit Tat Tooee (J. Stanley) was tightened for room between Mackenzie (M. Wood) and Hidden Babe (J. Cassidy), which shifted in and away from Rakhmanova (M. Speers).

Tit Tat Tooee over-raced in the early stages and approaching and passing the 1100m, had to be restrained off the heels of Cuddles For Layla (J. Byrne).

Approaching the 800m, Finn Class (D. Browne) commenced to over-race and had to be steadied off the heels of Maid Of Falvelon (G. Colless). Infamous Dancer (K. Wharton), which was trailing, also had to be checked as a consequence.

Passing the 900, Mackenzie (M. Wood), which was over-racing, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Rakhmanova.

Rounding the home turn and in the early part of the home straight, Finn Class (D. Browne) was held up and unable to obtain clear running, and approaching the 300m, had to alter course to the inside of the heels of Rakhmanova .

Approaching the 200m, Hidden Babe (L. Cassidy) was accidentally struck over the head by the whip of M. Wood, rider of Mackenzie.

Nearing the 100m, Maid Of Falvelon (G. Colless) had to be eased when tightened for room between Street Jam (C. Munce), which shifted out slightly, and Mackenzie (M. Wood), which was taken in by Hidden Babe (L. Cassidy).

Hidden Babe, Cuddles For Layla (J. Byrne) and Tit Tat Tooee raced wide throughout.

Stewards sought an explanation from J. Taylor, rider of Kosmic Karma, regarding the disappointing performance of that filly.

J. Taylor explained that Kosmic Karma seemed to race flat today and, in his view, may have been as a result of having its two most recent starts on rain affected tracks.

Trainer B. Guy agreed with J. Taylor's comments and advised it would be his intention to give Kosmic Karma a short let up, and undertook to report to stewards any abnormality which may come to light which may have had a bearing on today's performance.

A post race veterinary examination of Kosmic Karma revealed the horse to be slightly distressed.

G. Colless, rider of Maid Of Falvelon, which performed below expectations, explained that the filly travelled well throughout the race and although he had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, Maid Of Falvelon did not quicken as expected under riding and, in his view, proved disappointing.

Trainer L. Birchley confirmed his disappointment with the performance of Maid Of Falvelon and advised that he would recommend to connections that the filly be spelled. He undertook to advise stewards of any abnormality that becomes apparent that may have had a bearing on the performance.

Trainer R. Cameron advised stewards that Lady Hagan, which compounded in the home straight, would now be retired from racing. A post race veterinary examination of Lady Hagan failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

A post race veterinary examination of Rakhmanova revealed the horse had been galloped on on the near-hindleg and lost its near-hind plate in running.

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