DOOM AUG 15 - MICHELLE CAFEA DOES IT AGAIN

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The David Lawler trained Michelle Cafea scored her second, successive, fluent victory to highlight the progress she has made in recent times.

During her previous extended prep (of eleven runs) Michelle Cafea went through a stage where she frustratingly ran up a sequence of five second placings from six starts. On four of those occasions she was beaten by less than a length when only collared late in the running. He next win then got further away as she ended her long campaign with two lack-lustre efforts when outclassed in Listed company behind the likes of Russeting (in the Juanmo) and Belong To Many (in the Silk Stocking).

Michelle Cafea has returned a far more formidable proposition. Educated to settle better during her break from action, racing fresh, and competing on good instead of slow tracks are factors that have combined to make the world of difference to both her performance and her results.

This time apprentice jockey Owen Turpin settled the seven-year-old in third spot on the rail as he allowed followed Falconten (who led) and the well-fancied Desdemona (in second placing) to lead proceedings. Michelle Cafea was travelling so well though, Turpin was confident enough to let Michelle Cafea go up eye-ball Desemona as the field turned for home.

Once she had dispatched the favourite, Michelle Cafea quickly swallowed up Falconten and raced clear. From the moment she hit the front the result was never in doubt.

Desdemona fought on under some duress (she was found to be acutely lame after the event) but, once Michelle Cafea had asserted her authority, Desdemona’s chase was only going to be for second placing.

Michelle Cafea has now won twice and finished third (behind the smart Kryptelon) in her three starts this prep.

Doomben, August 15, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
2MW Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.91.
1 Michelle Cafea; 2 Desdemona; 3 Nepro.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “She has done well since her last win and she came into the race feeling great. I just asked her that little bit early to make them work, you know. Then, from there, she travelled lovely. She let down quite nice from the 600m onwards.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Michelle Cafea): 5.00 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Desdemona): 3.40 in to 3.10 out to 3.20. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
King Leonidas (L. Cassidy) was slow to begin. Southerly Impact (App M. Hughes) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 900m Southerly Impact, after being momentarily tightened for room by Reincarnation (A. Spinks), commenced to over-race and had to be steadied. Southerly Impact then continued to race ungenerously and due to this tendency lost ground rounding the first turn resulting in Blue Jupiter (S. Katsidis) which was following being inconvenienced.

S. Katsidis rider of Blue Jupiter stated that the horse began awkwardly today and rather than being trapped wide he made a decision to take up a position at the rear of the field on the fence. S. Katsidis added that due to the horse racing forward of him hanging out and losing ground rounding the first turn he was a considerable distance from the main body of the field placing him at a disadvantage. S. Katsidis stated that the horse finished the race off well and he felt Blue Jupiter may be looking for a longer distance than today's event.

S. Seamer the rider of Falconten was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out to the finish line. A post race veterinary examination of Desdemona revealed the mare to be acutely lame in the near-hind leg. Trainer P. Duff undertook to provide a veterinary certificate before starting the horse again.