SCST OCT 7 - TANGO KING ADDS TO HIS TALLY

By Graham Potter | Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sunshine Coast, October 7, 2012.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 3m.
Class 1 Handicap - 1400m.
1 Tango King; 2 Miss Margani; 3 Tax Evader; 4 Spurfect.
Time: 1-24.27. Last 600: 35.44.
Margins: 2.30; 0.10.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Matthew Dunn: “This was his second win in three starts since returning to action after a six month break.

“He won his Maiden over 1200m first-up and he won over 1400m here. He probably needs to go further now. I think you’ll need to see him run over 1800 or further to get to his best.

“If we can stretch him out he might win some more. He tries pretty hard, in fact he tries so hard he makes his form probably look better than it should be on ability alone, but he certainly is honest enough.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer J. McLachlan advised that Spurfect (P. Hammersley) would be ridden in a forward position if circumstances permit. Despite being ridden aggressively the horse could not muster sufficient speed to take up a forward position and therefore raced in a midfield position.

Rider L. Cheshire advised stewards that connections had asked her to ride Miss Margani closer to the pace today. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Not A Lady (A. Spinks) was slow to begin.

San Fernando (J. Taylor), which was slow to begin, tailed off in the event and was inspected by the veterinary surgeon who reported that he could find no abnormalities at the time of inspection.

Shortly after the start Tax Evader (G. Goold) shifted in and made contact with the hind quarters of Tango King (A. Allen) and had to be restrained.

Joh The Painter (T. Harrison) raced wide throughout.

Don's Surprise (M. Hellyer) over-raced for a short distance approaching the 1200m.

Stewards opened an inquiry into the performance and handling of Tax Evader. Evidence was taken from trainer J. Caught and rider apprentice G. Goold. Of particular concern to stewards was the positioning of Tax Evader in the early stages when racing in a midfield position, which is in contrast to the horse's previous racing pattern in that it has led.

Apprentice Goold was also asked to explain his reasons for allowing Mirror Man (K. Wharton) to cross his running approaching the 800m and furthermore he was questioned regarding his failure to shift out away from Mirror Man to secure clear running rounding the home turn when it appeared he had opportunity to do so, which resulted in him being held up for clear running in the home straight until leaving the 200m where he was obliged to stop riding and direct his mount out.

Mr Caught advised stewards that he had instructed apprentice Goold not to lead as it had not been his intention for the gelding to lead in its previous starts.

Apprentice Goold stated that he was satisfied that Tax Evader was travelling well approaching the 800m and had relaxed and he did not wish to bustle the horse to attempt to hold Mirror Man out as he believed this would cause the horse to over-race.

He added that the reason he did not shift wider on the track near the 600m was that Tax Evader stepped in abruptly near the 500m and shortly afterwards Don's Surprise improved quickly to his outside and this caused him to be unable to shift wider without causing interference to Don's Surprise.

Apprentice Goold further added that with hindsight he would have been better served shifting to the outside of Mirror Man at that point.

Stewards considered the explanation and advised apprentice Goold that given his instructions, they were satisfied with his riding during the early stages, however believed he had erred at the point approaching the 500m by not positioning his mount outside Mirror Man.

In the circumstances, taking into account the relative inexperience of apprentice Goold and the circumstances leaving the 600m, stewards were not satisfied that the error should result in a charge under the rules, however apprentice Goold was admonished and instructed that he should show more initiative in similar circumstances.

Trainer J. Caught was reminded of his obligations under the rules to notify stewards of any alteration in tactics.

Find out more about the winning trainer
Matt Dunn

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