EF AUG 19 - SLUGSBROTHERNUGGET SLAYS THEM

By Graham Potter | Friday, August 21, 2009

Slugsbrothernugget scored a smooth, trouble-free victory when proving to be simply too strong for his opposition.

Settled just off the speed ... switched to the outside on entering the straight ... able to make up ground steadily when asked in the first half of the straight ... and able to produce a kick over the final 200m when asked to let down and settle the matter ... it was copybook stuff from the Mark Palmer trained runner under the competent guidance of jockey Jim Byrne.

Eagle Farm. August 19, 2009.
Track -Good 3. Rail - out 7m.
Class 6 Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-11.55.
1 Slugsbrothernugget; 2 Hesashow; 3 Fuhrmidable.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mark Palmer: “The change of gear I think was significant. He was over-racing a fair bit. I had to drop him back in distance because he wasn’t settling in his work. I changed his routine around a little bit in his work, but he was still going too hard.

“I ride him in work and he pulls pretty hard, so I thought he might settle better with a cross-over (nose band) on. In his work with the cross-over, at first he was real good in it, but now he’s worked it out a little bit ... but I’m hoping it will keep helping him in his racing like today ... and Jimmy (Byrne) rode him a treat, of course.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Slugsbrothernugget): 4.20 out to 4.60.
Equal favourite (At My Command): 2.70 out to 3.50. Finished seventh.
Equal favourite (All Stellar): 3.50 steady. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bloodhound (L. Cassidy) stood flatfooted at the start and lost considerable ground. Trainer Mr J. Gleeson was advised that he must provide two barriers certificates for Bloodhound before the gelding would be permitted to race again.

When questioned regarding the performance of At My Command, S. Katsidis stated that he worked into a handy position early and the horse then relaxed well. He further added that the horse commenced to hang out leaving the 400m, however he was able to balance the horse up in the early stages of the straight and it accelerated for only a short distance before tiring and failed to respond to his riding. A post race veterinary examination of At My Command revealed the horse to be sore in both forelegs. Trainer L. Birchley was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for At My Command prior to its next race start.