GOLD COAST JAN 7 - TOPPING GETS HIS TURN

By Graham Potter | Sunday, January 8, 2012

Gold Coast, January 7, 2012.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Benchmark 85 Handicap - 1800m.
1 Topping; 2 Gold Rating; 3 Rockdale; 4 Grey Assignment.
Time: 1-48.69. Last 600m: 35.26.

Trainer Trevor Bailey wasn’t about to get carried away by the victory of his five-year-old gelding Topping.

While obviously happy to take the win, Bailey was realistic in his assessment of the category of runner that Topping, who started at odds of $21.00, had beaten home.

He basically stated the opinion that if the same field went around every week you would have a different winner every week. That view, that there were no stars in the line-up, was arguably highlighted by the open nature of the betting for the race which saw Gold Rating (who would eventually finish second) top the betting boards at $7.50 … which you wouldn’t even call a luke-warm favourite.

Having said all that though, a win is a win and Topping now has no less than seven of them to his credit.

Topping took the early trail in third behind Bewaardi and Rockdale. Rockdale then made an early move and raced into a clear lead approaching the turn with Topping, in full sail, after him and Gold Rating moving out of the pack into third placing.

The chase was on in the home straight and Topping reeled Rockdale in and relieved that runner of the lead with 180m left to run.

Topping was now left with only two concerns.

He was now racing relatively close to the riderless Sky Raider, who had dropped Dale Missen at the start, and that situation held in own possible danger … while, result-wise, Gold Rating was chasing hard from behind in an effort to deny Topping his victory.

Both concerns were safely held at bay though. Sky Raider kept a straight line to the finish with Topping in tow and Gold Rating failed to find the extra required to get on terms with the winner.

The five-year-old gave jockey Paul Hammersley a double at the meeting … the rider having kicked off the meeting with an equally fluent win aboard Lady Colours.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “It was probably the first time we’ve had a bit of luck in the race. The race was run to suit us.

“We freshened after him up last week with the ‘no race’ and he’s come here and done well.

“There were ‘no seconds’ this time. I guess he just took them apart today but, you know, it’s one of those old sayings in this sort of class that they go around every week and one wins one week and another wins next time.

“This time it was our turn … and we’ll take it!”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Topping): 21.00 steady.
Favourite (Gold Rating): 6.00 out to 7.50.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sky Raider blundered badly on jumping away dislodging its rider D. Missen.

Shooting Scene (App T. Bell) was slow to begin.

Near the 1400m Sky Raider, the riderless runner, shifted in resulting in Bawaardi (Matthew Palmer), Rockdale (App A. Allen) and Topping (P. Hammersley) all having to be steadied.

Near the 600m Pinot Girl (E. Wilkinson) shifted out and made contact with Fire Up Fifi (J. Byrne).

Matthew Palmer the rider of Bawaardi, which performed below expectations, explained that the horse over-raced through the middle stages after being tightened by the riderless runner and was forced to make a sustained run from the 600m when pressured by Rockdale.

G. Colless reported that Brave The Way was under pressure from the 800m and was disappointing from that point.

Trainer A. Bailey advised that several horses in his care had shown signs of having a virus and he had taken blood tests from Brave The Way which all indicated the horse was in a suitable condition to race.

Mr Bailey further advised that in view of the horse's performance he would now have further tests conducted and send Brave The Way for an immediate spell.

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