SCST OCT 21 - TAX EVADER ENJOYS LIFE AT THE COAST

By Graham Potter | Saturday, October 20, 2012

Sunshine Coast, October 21, 2012.
Class 2 Handicap - 1600m.
1 Tax Evader; 2 Albion; 3 Gypsy Heart; 4 I Excel.
Time: 1-37.62.
Margins: 2.80; 1.80.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jeffrey Caught: “Kirk (Matheson) used a bit of initiative. I mean, in these five horse fields you don’t know what is going to happen.

“He probably went out a lot harder than I thought he would. When the other one of Damian Browne’s kicked up on the inside he was able to back off and take the trail.

“It worked out well, but there were times when … geez, it was a traffic for a bit. That was a stop-start race. It was the weirdest race to try and work out strategy, but we were in front at the right time and that’s all that matters.

“The horse was a barrier rogue before. It came to me … had one start. He finished fourth but in the start he got a quarter-crack. So then he had a long break. He had close to twelve months off for the re-growth of the hoof and, you know there was also the problem at the barriers to overcome when he came back.

“He’s had five runs back now … and in the last couple of starts he has just come good, but, as I say, it has been a whole long process.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tax Evader): 2.30 out to 2.70.
Favourite (Albion): 2.00 out to 2.80 in to 2.00. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned apprentice K. Matheson regarding the tactics adopted on Tax Evader. Of particular concern to stewards were his actions during the early stages when it appeared after initially having an opportunity to stride forward to a position in the lead he failed to do so and then restrained Tax Evader at a point approaching the 1200m which allowed Macho Cat (R. Hancock) to improve to his inside.

Apprentice Matheson explained that he had not been given specific instructions as to where to position the gelding, and after beginning well was not intent on leading and therefore elected to steady, however Tax Evader lost ground quicker than anticipated when restrained.

Stewards advised K. Matheson that his ride during the early stages lacked initiative and when he restrained approaching the 1200m he did so too quickly and allowed his horse to be in a position which allowed Macho Cat to improve to his inside, however in the circumstances stewards did not deem his actions culpable under the rules.

Stewards questioned R. Hancock regarding his actions from the 800m in that he rode vigorously from that point when positioned outside the lead when it appeared he had opportunity to steady his mount and settle in this position. Stewards were concerned his actions had a detrimental effect on both Macho Cat and Albion.

Jockey Hancock explained that he is of the opinion that Macho Cat has a tendency relax quickly in its races and felt that pressuring the horse from that point would benefit the gelding's chances in the event.

Stewards advised jockey Hancock that his ride lacked judgement and would have been better served by easing his mount at the 800m rather than riding the gelding along, particularly when Macho Cat commenced to lose ground prior to the home turn.

Find out more about the winning trainer
Jeff Caught

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