GCST JAN 12 - SALUTER STRIKES IT RICH

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 12, 2013

Gold Coast, January 12, 2013.
Track - Good 3; Rail - out 0.50m (entire circuit).
$1 Million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas - 1400m.
1st - Saluter; 2nd - Sizzling; 3rd - Driefontein; 4th - Hoss Amor.
Time: 1-21.85. Last 600: 35.37.
Margins: 0.20; 0.10.

WINNER FEEDBACK:

TRAINER JASON MCLACHLAN:

“He has been the unluckiest horse ever. I said to the owners beforehand, he’ll nearly win this race. This is what I’ve been aiming him for.

“All the big names … you know they were rating other horses. My horse never got a look in.

“You watch his last four runs. You’ll see he had no luck, but he’s a good horse. He just proved that!

“To do be able to do the work to cross and sit outside the leader and still win, that showed just how good a horse he is. He was strong to the line.

“I had said previously to Rob Slade that he would win a big race this horse.

“I hope dad (Jason’s late father Bruce McLachlan) was watching. This was one I wanted to win.

“He won three of them, but never the Three-Year-Old Millions race. He got beaten a nose with Picaday, but now his son has done it for him, so it is a very special win for me.”

JOCKEY DAMIAN BROWNE:

“Look, this time in the horse has definitely been racing without any luck.

“Circumstances have been against him in those runs. A couple of times he was almost entitled to turn it up 100 out, but the way he stuck on and fought just indicated to me that he is a really gutsy horse and that’s why I thought with any sort of run of luck today he would be a factor in the outcome.

“We originally thought that if he drew a good barrier today he was going to be a good chance. As it was, we drew a little bit awkwardly and we had to do a bit more work than I would have liked.

“Jason (McLachlan) did have the horse spot on today and he really fought hard to the line.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:

Heza Jetsetter (R. Wiggins) and Avaladyluck (C. Newitt) were both slow to begin. Driefontein (T. Berry) and Grand Business (D. Dunn) made contact at the start.

Caliente (P. Hammersley) was inconvenienced soon after the start when tightened for room between Regular (M. Rodd) and Lady Colours (T. Bell), which was taken in by No Looking Back (G. Schofield).

Approaching the 1000m Avaladyluck was tightened for room between Grand Business, which when over-racing shifted out slightly and Sizzling (C. Williams), which was taken in by Platinum State (H. Bowman), which shifted in when not quite clear. Following this incident Grand Business continued to over-race and Caliente, which was following had to be steadied from the heels of Grand Business.

Avaladyluck made the turn at the 900m awkwardly and shifted out.

Near the 600m No Looking Back improved up onto the heels of Saluter (D. Browne) and when being steadied lost ground abruptly resulting in Noogoora Burr (E. Wilkinson), which was following having to be steadied. When restrained Noogoora Burr overreacted and shifted out resulting in Sizzling having to be checked.

Rounding the home turn and early part of the straight No Looking Back and Platinum State came together when No Looking Back was attempting to obtain clear running to the outside of Lucky Hussler (Matthew Palmer).

Passing the 100m No Looking Back shifted out under pressure taking Platinum State out onto Heza Jetsetter forcing that horse wider on the track. G. Schofield the rider of No Looking Back was reprimanded and advised he must stop riding and straighten his mounts sooner than he had on this occasion.

Lucky Hussler, Platinum State, Hoss Amor (J. McDonald) and Sizzling all raced wide throughout the event.

When questioned regarding the performance of No Looking Back G. Schofield could offer no real excuse for the horse's disappointing performance. A post race veterinary examination of No Looking Back revealed no abnormalities.

A post race veterinary examination of Caliente revealed the mare to be suffering from the thumps and exhibiting soreness in both fore legs. Trainer B. Hill will be advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness will be required prior to Caliente racing again.