DOOM AUG 15 - ALL THE WAY WIN FOR MONASHEE DANCER

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Darren Bell trained Monashee Dancer, who possesses a ton of natural speed, has hardly put a hoof wrong this prep and he duly recorded an impressive end to end victory when lasting long enough to land his sixth career success from only fourteen starts. The grey gelding was also winning for the third time in his last four outings.

The ‘catch me if you can’ tactics suit the free-running five-year-old well and he led the field a merry dance early in the home straight. The chasers were closing up quite quickly in the final stages, but Monashee Dancer’s early effort had set the foundation on which this latest, solid victory was achieved in a run that was full of merit.

Kelly, who jumped from the worst of the draw and worked hard just off the speed throughout, earned a creditable second placing. Borsha’s Mark, the favourite, did not enjoy a comfortable passage. He ran on stoutly when eventually finding clear air halfway up the straight, but Monashee Dancer had the winning post in his sights by then leaving Borsha’s Mark having to settle for a fast-finishing third placing.

Doomben, August 15, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Class 6 Handicap (4yo and up E&G) - 1010m. Time: 57.92.
1 Monashee Dancer; 2 Kelly; 3 Borsha's Mark.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Darren Bell: “It was the first time we backed him up. I thought he might have been just a little bit on the fresh side last week ... a little bit harder today. Obviously he still had to overcome the bad draw today which he did ... yeah, just sustained speed. It might also be that he is better on a good track. The going might have been a bit shifty for him last week (when he finished a head behind Shakeva).

“He has got unbelievable speed. He still amazes me. Like, today from that awkward draw, I wasn’t quite sure how it would pan out, but, 100m in he had crossed and was already travelling. He does find a kick in the straight, but you are always holding your breath the last 100m. He uses a lot of speed early and he is probably entitled to sort of pull up a little bit.

“You’ve got to beat him. He doesn’t give anything away easily ... and that was out tactics today. I said to Tony (Pattillo), I think he is fitter than last week ... you know, make them work behind him. We can’t complain. He’s now won three out of his last four starts.

“We’re aiming him at The Magic Millions Sprint. From this point on that’s what we will plan everything around. You probably won’t see him for the next few weeks.”

Jockey Tony Pattillo: “We knew he was quick. We thought he was really quick, but today he really sort of stood up. He had it all to do from that sort of barrier (he jumped from ten out of twelve) but the way he did it ... I tell you what ... come Magic Millions Sprint time he’s really going to be a horse to be reckoned with.

“Yeah, I really think Darren (Bell) has done a superb job with this horse. The run really showcased how well Darren can prepare a horse. He’s never backed him up before. He gets him here from last week and Darren really put his head on the chopping block. He has done the job well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Monashee Dancer): 6.00 out to 8.50.
Favourite (Borsha’s Mark): 3.00 out to 3.30 in to 2.90. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Mr Standfast (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with the hind quarters of Monashee Dancer (A. Pattillo). Pandemonia (App C. McIver) was slow to begin. Near the 600m Borsha’s Mark (App O. Turpin) which was inclined to hang out made contact with Backstabber (B. Stewart), which was racing close on its outside.

Near the 500m Borsha’s Mark which continued to lay out had to be checked when it struck the running rail after coming into contact with Backstabber, which momentarily shifted in and away from Kelly (S. Seamer). B. Stewart the rider of Backstabber was advised to allow more room in similar circumstances.

Pandemonia was held up rounding the home turn. Upon entering the straight Backstabber shifted out taking Borsha’s Mark out onto Mosstang (B. El-Issa), which in turn shifted out taking Star Of Minto (L. Cassidy) out onto Pandemonia. Final Crunch (J. Taylor), Mr Standfast and His Boy Elroy (App M. Speers) all raced wide throughout.