BRC JUL 25 - TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR MONASHEE DANCER

By Graham Potter | Monday, July 27, 2009

Doomben, July 25, 2009.
1MW Handicap - 1010m. Time: 57.35
Track -Good 3. Rail - out 5m.
1 Monashee Dancer; 2 Acquired; 3 Kelly.

The Darren Bell trained Monashee Dancer made it back-to back wins with a strong front-running display, staying on long enough to ward off the faster finishing Acquired.

The four-year-old grey gelding finished as a beaten favourite when racing first-up this prep at the Sunshine Coast (over 1000m) on June 27. He immediately made amends, winning next time out in convincing fashion at the Gold Coast (over 900m) and his form continues to build momentum with this latest win - his fifth from twelve starts.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Darren Bell: “We’ve had issues with his feet and that sort of thing. Because of that he is very lightly raced, but he is a very, very fast horse. When he races on hard tracks he takes a little bit backing up after that. He is a full brother to Sir Monashee and ultimately we hope he goes the same way (as Sir Monashee), the Magic Millions Sprint, a restricted race with a lot of money ... that will be long-term what we have in mind for her.”

Sir Monashee ran in three Magic Million Sprints. Sir Monashee won that feature in 2008. He finished second in the 2007 version of the event and third in the race in 2009.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Monashee Dancer): 8.00 out to 10.00.
Favourite (Pub Torque): 3.30 out to 3.80. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Pub Torque (J. Wood) jumped away awkwardly. Braebrook (S. Katsidis) was slow to jump. Cardio (M. Speers), Hurl (J. Byrne) and Fiamore (D. Craven) raced wide throughout. Passing the 600m Myagi (G. Geran) had to be eased off the heels of King Hunter (M. Radecker) when the pace steadied.

Stewards inquired into an incident approaching the 800m where Acquired (B. El-Issa) appeared to lose its position when racing in restricted room inside of Pub Torque and Monashee Dancer (A. Pattillo). After hearing initial evidence, A. Pattillo was charged with careless riding by permitting his mount to shift in when not clear of Pub Torque causing it to be inconvenienced and taken in on to Acquired, causing Acquired to relinquish its position. After hearing further evidence from B. El-Issa and apprentice J. Wood, the charge of careless riding was not sustained as stewards were not satisfied that A. Pattillo was entirely responsible for Acquired losing ground as that mare appeared to overreact in the situation and A. Pattillo was given the benefit of the doubt. A post-race veterinary examination of Pub Torque failed to reveal any abnormalities.