EF JAN 11 - SNIP ‘N’ DUCK LANDS A HEFTY PLUNGE

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Eagle Farm, January11, 2012.
Track - Good 3.Rail - Out 200m from 1000m to 400. True for the remainder.
Class 3 Plate (Colts, geldings and entires) - 1200m.
1 Snip ‘N’ Duck; 2 Simply Smart; 3 Nothin Like Luca; 4 Bymonashee.
Time: 1-10.96. Last 600m: 35.25.

Snip ‘N’ Duck, racing third-up after four months off the track, came home as the best backed winner on the day when he saluted in style after a betting plunge had seen his odds shorten from $17 in to $8.50.

Settled in midfield on the rail early on Snip ‘N’ Duck was travelling comfortably enough in sixth place on straightening, but traffic problems in front of him threatened to derail his challenge.

While jockey Paul Hammersley bided his time in the first half of the straight waiting to see what options might open up to him, the early leader Simply Smart was now in full bore and he had opened up a useful lead on his rivals.

Things got a little bit more urgent Ship ‘N’ Duck coming through the 250m mark and, when a split between Zaharakis and Red Mohican, the two runners immediately in front of Snip ‘N’ Duck did not eventuate, Hammersley angled Snip ‘N’ Duck out and now took aim at the gap between Zaharakis and the short-priced favourite Nothing Like Luca.

With Simply Smart still well clear and being hailed the likely winner, it all seemed like it would be too little, too late for Snip ‘N’ Duck but, after taking several strides to settle into his task once in the clear, the son of Snippetson now started to stretch out with meaning.

It still looked a ‘mission impossible’ but the level of acceleration of Snip ‘N’ Duck once inside the final 100m was such that he was able to go past Simply Smart and land some very good bets in eye-catching fashion.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “He went really well. He has just taken a while to reach peak fitness.

“He (Paul Hammersley) gave him a terrific ride. Being able to get off the fence … which was probably off on the day by the look of it … was a big advantage.

“I really liked the way he hit the line. I didn’t think he was going to run a place 200m out, but his last 100 especially was very good.

“He’s had some good form in a lot of good races last prep and hopefully he is just getting back to that level now.” (Last time in Snip ‘N’ Duck finished second to Steel Zip in the Listed Queensland Day Open Three-year-Old and he also finished a highly creditable fourth just 1.20 lengths behind Chateau Fort in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic).

Jockey Paul Hammersley: “The instructions were to be sort of one out, one back.

“He was a touch slow away and, instead of putting him out of stride and bustling him early, I opted to take a sit. We travelled well back there.

“I got off the fence around the corner and we were disappointed for a run in the straight. So I had to go searching for a run … and we got it.

“I thought if he didn’t sprint fast enough then we were going to lose it, but he sprinted very well and he won it quite easy in the end.

“I think if we had another fifty yards he would have put another length on them, so he’s done well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Snip ‘N’ Duck): 17.00 in to 8.50.
Favourite (Nothing Like Luca): 1.45 out to 1.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Simply Smart (D. Browne) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, tightening the running of Dassault (T. Bell), which had to be checked.

Red Mohican (G. Colless) raced fiercely in the early stages at the heels of Simply Smart.

Snip ‘N’ Duck (P. Hammersley) was held up for clear running for a short distance passing the 300m.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Nothing Like Luca, R. McMahon stated that the pace of the race did not suit his mount, so much so that he was forced to move three wide passing the 600m when Nothing Like Luca commenced to race fiercely at the heels of Flagges Flying (J. Taylor).

He added that the horse did not accelerate as expected when placed under pressure, and felt that the significant increase in weight today and the short three-day back up had been factors in the horse's disappointing performance.

Trainer C. Karakatsanis stated that the Nothing Like Luca had raced well previously when on a short back up and whilst the race was not run to suit the gelding, which resulted in it over-racing during the middle stages, he was nevertheless disappointed with the effort and informed stewards that the horse would be returned to his base in Sydney. The explanations were noted.

Stewards sought an explanation from Mr B. Berwick, stable representative for trainer Mr L. Birchley, regarding the seemingly improved performance of Snip ‘N’ Duck.

Mr Berwick informed stewards that at its most recent start the gelding was second up and carried 58 kilograms. Mr Berwick added that Snip ‘N’ Duck had been inconvenienced upon entering the straight on that occasion, which may have had an effect on the horse's capacity to finish the race off, bearing in mind the 58 kilogram impost.

Mr Berwick informed stewards that the gelding was more forward in condition for today's event, third up from a break, and felt that the drop in weight had also enhanced the horse's competitive chances.

Stewards also sought an explanation from trainer W. Pholi regarding the tactics employed on Bymonashee today, which appeared to be in contrast with the horse's customary racing pattern.

Mr Pholi informed stewards that Bymonashee had to be taking up a prominent position in its races but did not finish off and he therefore instructed his jockey to ride the horse in a fashion which enabled it to finish the race off. Mr Pholi was informed that in future he must advised stewards of any change in tactics in accordance with AR135A.

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