EF SEPT 01 - PERFECT FIRST-UP LANDING FOR FLYING JET
By Graham Potter | Sunday, September 2, 2012
Eagle Farm, September 1, 2012.
Track - Good 3, Rail out 1m.
Benchmark 80 Handicap - 1200m.
1 Flying Jet; 2 Solebid; 3 Triskele; 4 Schrapnel
Time: 1-09.50. Last 600: 34.15.
Margins:0.50; 5.00.
Flying Jet resumed here, being first up since her run in the Princess Stakes on April 21, and she clearly relished being back in action.
The mare jumped well enough on this occasion … her getaway has never been her strong point … but she still went back to race in the second half of the field some eight lengths off the hot pace being set by Western Shadow, Favela Star and Golden Cash who vied for superiority out front in the early stages.
As the leaders came back to the field approaching the home turn, galloping room was at a premium for those caught back in the pack and Larry Cassidy had to initially play a waiting game on Flying Jet.
There was a moment on straightening that could well have put paid to Flying Jet’s chances. As Solebid, who was racing in fifth position on the inside, moved out to try and find clear running he crossed Flying Jet’s path. Cramped for room Flying Jet likewise followed Solebid’s outward movement which brought her into contact with Triskele on her outside. Triskele was turned sideways momentarily, back into Flying Jet, who again had to mark time while she steadied before once again settling into chase mode.
Solebid had sprinted quickly away from that incident and he now looked to have winning momentum as he reached the lead with 200m to go. As Solebid looked to widen his advantage, Flying Jet, who was now in full stride, emerged as the only danger to the new leader.
Solebid was game and he never missed a beat as he pulled clear of the bulk of the field, but, for all that, he could not find enough to withstand the sustained finish of Flying Jet, who powered home the better of the two over the final 100m to claim the honours.
The superiority of the first two finishers was emphasised by the fact that the third placed Triskele finished a full five lengths off the runner-up.
Flying Jet (Jet Spur - Cost Zoom) is owned by K T Heatley. The mare was bred by Glenlogan Park (Pty) Ltd.
Flying Jet has three wins and three minor places from thirteen starts to her credit and has earned $137,300 in stakes.
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “It was a great ride. It misses the start with most jockeys, but Larry (Cassidy), for some reason, gets it out of the gates.
“That was her only query from the three alley. We were worried that, if she missed it, she would be out of play. He got her out … and the rest was a perfect ride really!
“She does get further, although 1400m, a mile is probably as far as she wants, being by Jet Spur.
“It was really good to win, especially for this owner. I’ve been associated with him for forty years now. I used to ride a lot for him. I’ve trained a lot of winners for him. It’s really good to win races for him.
“Yeah, I did see she was $17 in the paper yesterday and I thought, jeez I wish the papers were betting.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “Things went to plan. She can be a bit cantankerous at the gates. Obviously she has a barrier blanket on. She was playing up a bit, but she didn’t get away too badly.
“Because they went so quick, it took her a while to find her feet … but she was really travelling from the 800. I was quite confident that if I could get out the right time that she would overhaul them.
“If you go back to her last prep her form was very strong … certainly strong enough to win a race like this.
“Kelly (Schweida) has had her for two preps and has won first-up with her both times.
“Yeah, things are poking along nicely for me. My aim was to work hard and get my name back up there with the new season, and I’ve certainly done that with my solid start to the campaign.
“The hardest thing will be just to keep it going so, hopefully, winners like this will be able to help that cause.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Flying Jet): 4.40 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Golden Cash): 3.80 in to 3.20 out to 3.50. Finished sixth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Blue Jupiter was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 2.47 pm after the gelding was found to have an elevated temperature.
Zed Man (G. Killen) was slow to begin. Flying Jet (L. Cassdy) shifted out at the start and made contact with Hyde Park (B. Richardson).
After passing the 600m, Flying Jet shifted out and made contact with the hind quarters of Triskele (M. Cahill). As a result, Triskele got turned inwards, which resulted in Flying Jet having to be eased when tightened for room between Triskele and Solebid (M. Hellyer), which also shifted out slightly.
In the early stages of the home straight, Hyde Park had difficulty obtaining clear running, and after passing the 200m was obliged to alter course to the inside the heels of By Choice (R. McMahon) in order to improve.
Choral (T. Harrison) raced three wide throughout.
An explanation was sought from rider J. Lloyd regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Golden Cash.
J. Lloyd stated that whilst the early speed was genuine, the horse travelled well in the middle stages and he was confident that it would accelerate when given the opportunity in the straight, however when Golden Cash secured clear running just inside the 300m and was tested, the horse was immediately under pressure and its head carriage was unusually high over the concluding stages when tiring.
A post race veterinary examination of Golden Cash failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer M. Dunn will be interviewed regarding the horse's performance in the coming days.
C. Munce, rider of Favela Star, which compounded over the concluding stages, reported that the horse travelled quite comfortably until a point near the 600m, at which stage it was immediately under pressure, and after accelerating for a short distance in the home straight, compounded quite badly and proved disappointing.
Trainer L. Birchley will be interviewed regarding the horse's performance in the coming days.
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