BRC JUL 08 - GO BIG SCORES IN UNTROUBLED FASHION

By Matthew Grimson | Thursday, July 9, 2009

Eagle Farm, July 8, 2009.
3yo Maiden Plate (Set Weights) - 1600m. Time: 1-45.02
Track - Dead 5. Rail - out 5m.
1 Go Big; 2 Afleet Rapper; 3 Century Rock.

The Lennie Wheeler trained Go Big was the strong fancy here. With no pace on jockey Terry Treichel was able to hand-pick just where he wanted to be in the running and he was happy to keep Go Big in midfield with cover until switching around heels as the field turned into the home straight.

When given slightly more rein, Go Big cruised into contention with the minimum of fuss and Treichel hardly moved on him as he easily asserted his authority to win with plenty in hand. This was the Catbird gelding’s fifth start and the victory came in his first start beyond 1300m.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lennie Wheeler: “He goes alright. I think he’ll make a fair stayer later on. He’ll stay. All you can do is win today, can’t you? He won pretty easy at short odds. He’s so relaxed. He relaxes really well. He’s been racing on very heavy tracks and didn’t handle them. Never went a yard in them. I’ll step him up, but I haven’t worked out where I’ll run him yet. He’ll stay though.”

Jockey Terry Treichel: “He began better than what he usually does and raced handier. He travelled nicely and he was just too good for them in the run. He’ll get more ground. He’s still green, you know. He still ran out off the track a bit. He’s got a lot of improvement to go. He’s still got a lot to learn.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Go Big): 1.65 steady.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Le Tour De France (C. McIver) was slow to begin. Joyful Song (S. Seamer) was caught wide in the early and middle stages. Kings Joy (L. Rolls) was held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Le Tour De France was inclined to lay out rounding the home turn. Century Rock (W. Clasohm) was caught wide and raced wide for the majority of the event. A post race veterinary examination of Joyful Song revealed the gelding to be lame in the near-foreleg. Connections were advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to its next race start.