BRC JUL 25 - MICHELLE CAFEA EARNS HER DUE REWARD

By Graham Potter | Monday, July 27, 2009

Doomben, July 25, 2009.
Class 6 Handicap (4yo and up) - 1200m. Time 1-09.80.
Track -Good 3. Rail - out 5m.
1 Michelle Cafea; 2 Desdemona; 3 Heart.

The David Lawler trained Michelle Cafea has been a bridesmaid so many times. On many occasions she has loomed as the likely winner only to get cut down late in the running to finish with a consolation prize. She was a due a reward and it came at Doomben where she did it at both ends to secure a well-earned success.

The draw was a factor in the game-plan. It became clear early on that Michelle Cafea would be held wide if she didn’t go forward, so apprentice jockey Owen Turpin let the mare slide into the lead.

She held her position comfortably enough to the turn and then she simply skipped away from her opposition when allowed more rein in the home straight. This time the kick lasting all the way to the line and she left her rivals scrambling in a separate battle for the minor placings.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Lawler: “She deserved her win alright.”(Michelle Cafea has run twelve seconds and nine thirds in her career). “The turnaround has all come down to her track-work rider - Tony Erhart. He’s been riding her in track-work and since he has been riding her she has improved out of sight. She’s a hard-pulling bugger, but he holds her. She doesn’t get away with that with him. You saw the difference today. She had a big kick left in the straight.”

Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “Today I didn’t really want to lead, but with the wide barrier we had to be positive and go forward. She dropped in weight nicely with my claim. She fought well and kept on fighting ... and she pulled it off.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Michelle Cafea): 9.00 out to 10.00.
Favourite ( Firedrake): 3.50 steady. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hesashow was a late scratching at 4.42pm when the horse broke through the barriers riderless. One Eyed (M. Speers) blundered on jumping away. Stolit (M. Hughes) was tightened shortly after the start between Mr Standfast (S. Seamer) and Michelle Cafea (O. Turpin), which shifted in and away from Heart (L. Rolls). Leaving the 200m Mr Standfast was hampered when One Eyed shifted ground outwards. Rhymenorreason (A. Pattillo), which finished some distance from the main body of the field, was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon who could find no abnormalities.