EF OCT 01 - NIGHT ESCORT GOES ALL THE WAY

By Graham Potter | Monday, October 3, 2011

Eagle Farm, October 1, 2011.
NMW Handicap (Fillies & Mares) - 1200m.
1 Night Escort; 2 Count Your Fingers; 3 Newborn; 4 Secret Affairs.
Track: Good 3. Rail: True.
Time: 1-11.46. Last 600: 35.49.

The Michael Nolan trained Night Escort scored a breakthrough city win when she nailed a front-running performance to salute at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The mare had taken on the test of strength in town on three previous occasions and had been found wanting each time, but she raised her game here in a race run to suit her after making the most of her inside barrier draw.

The strike-rate had been there before. Night Escort had won five times and been placed second on four occasions from eighteen starts leading into Saturday, but the fact that three of those wins had come on the Cushion Track at Toowoomba meant the was still a question mark as to how that form would translate on a grass surface, particularly under the testing conditions of city racing. Her other two wins came at the Gold Coast, with her last win on grass going back to October 2010.

So, while there was some evidence that the horse could be improving, there were definite doubts against her chance of success, hence her exaggerated odds on the betting boards.

All credit to Michael Nolan for giving Night Escort her chance and preparing her to a point where she was ready to take the next step.
In the context of her career it was a big win.

Night Escort is owned by the Moonie Mob. The mare was bred by Lyndhurst Farm Stud.

Her race record now reads six wins from nineteen starts with $192 800 earned in stakes.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer: “It was good to see the mare win. I told Jimmy (Byrne) just to be positive and he was.

“Leading with her is the only way to ride her. She is a strong mare … a lovely big mare … and just a good front-runner.

“We picked this No-Met out. We just thought we were a bit heavily weighted with the 56.5kg, but with J Byrne on the back it didn’t matter … and of course barrier one played its part. It allowed us to do what we wanted to do.

“Jimmy said, ‘I was doing my furlongs and I was thinking, I’ve still got a bit of horse here’. Then he said, ‘I’ve let her down in the straight was sort of waiting … thinking, here they come … here they come. But they never did.’

“You know it’s a funny thing at Eagle Farm. At Doomben you probably get attacked and here you don’t … or, more so, that’s the trend.

“Happy to take it. I’ve had a lot of luck with Jimmy.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “You know, any leader who is able to kick on and win today is doing very well, because you really do hit a strong head-wind.

“To her credit she’s been racing in good form, but to be able to bring that here to Eagle Farm … you know, it’s pretty difficult t be able to lead them especially if you’ve got a pretty strong head-wind, because there is no cover … that’s a very good result.

“Having said that I thought I might be able to dictate the race if I could do no work early and get a couple of soft sectionals … run a few 13’s … and, you know, sprint home hopefully in something like 34.

“That would make it very difficult for anybody to come from behind and things worked out just as we hoped they would.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Night Escort): 17.00 out to 21.00.
Favourite (Liesele): 3.80 in to 2.60 out to 2.80. Finished seventh.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Connections advised that Ishi Classic would be ridden with cover if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Upon arrival at the course, trainer L. Rowe reported that Fanciful became fractious on the walker yesterday afternoon and sustained a laceration to its forehead which required some stitches.

The mare was examined by the veterinary surgeon today and passed fit to start. The veterinary surgeon again inspected Fanciful after it had been saddled and was cleared to race.

Trainer L. Rowe was advised that he must inform stewards as soon as practicable of any occurrence that may have an effect on a horse's performance in a race. On the basis of Mr Rowe's exceptional record, stewards did not take any direct action against him.

At the start, Moneysaver (Matthew Palmer), Secret Affairs (L. Cassidy) and Wild Promises (B. Wallace) were all tightened for room between Medecis Gem (L. Rolls) and Newborn (M. Hellyer), both of which shifted ground.

Danewin Girl (R. McMahon) raced ungenerously when racing wide.

Ishi Classic (P. Hammersley) raced ungenerously and was inclined to hang out in the middle stages and when being steadied near the 700m, Moneysaver (M. Palmer), which was trailing, had to be steadied from the heels of that horse. Medecis Gem (L. Rolls), which was also following, had to be steadied as a consequence.

Near the 700m, Liesele (P. Schmidt) improved up on to the heels of Secret Affairs (L. Cassidy) and had to be steadied.

Secret Affairs was held up in the early part of the straight at the heels of Ishi Classic (P. Hammersley).

Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice P. Schmidt regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Liesele.

Apprentice Schmidt stated she was instructed to position the mare midfield if possible, however from the awkward alley she was forced to take a position further back than anticipated. Apprentice Schmidt added that whilst she had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, she was able to do so passing the 200m, however the mare did not accelerate as expected and proved disappointing in the run to the finish.

A. Pattillo was provided with the opportunity of explaining the performance of Hearts'n'diamonds.

He stated that the mare was unable to muster any speed in the early stages and as a result settled at the rear of the field. A. Pattillo added approaching the home turn he was of the view that Fanciful would take him into the race, but when it became apparent that that runner was not travelling well, he was obliged to shift wider on the track upon straightening to make a run. He further added that Hearts'n'diamonds responded to his riding, although peaked on its run inside the final 100m, but in the circumstances was not entirely disappointing.

Trainer L. Rowe was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Fanciful and now would recommend to connections that the mare now be spelled.

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