DOOM AUG 22 - FORESTRENO GETS HIS TURN

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Doomben, August 22, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 2.5m.
Open Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.46.
1 Forestreno; 2 Michelle Cafea; 3 Mister Celestial.

The ever-game Forestreno got his due reward when he took the measure of the always competitive Michelle Cafea halfway up the straight to land no less than the eleventh win of his fifty race career, which also includes ten second place finishes.

It was trouble-free effort in the end. Jockey Glen Colless settled the eight-year-old at the rear of the field where he raced in an entirely comfortable fashion. Turning for home Forestreno was still second last, but he had now been angled out for his run and when he produced his finishing effort he strode to the front quite easily to win with something in hand.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Phil McLeod: “It was just his turn. Battlefield (who beat Forestreno in the Ramornie three runs back) is a very good horse. My horse would never beat him. The other horse that beat us recently, Albert The Fat, he’s just come from his last prep and improved six lengths in my opinion ... and I just kept running into these good horses.

Against Court Command the other day ... I shouldn’t have taken him ... I only took him there because of the prize-money. The thirteen alley... the rail out 7m, no ... that was my mistake.

“He is just an honest horse and this time it was my turn ... or our turn. He’s always getting a cheque isn’t he? Those sort of horses are hard to get. He’s probably four lengths off being a real good horse, but, like I’ve said, old horses that are sound are hard to get.

“Look at the ride. The ride is just an outstanding ride. The winners on the first two races on the day over 1200m were both on the lead ... and, race three, he (Glen Colless) comes out and rides him like that (from behind). It’s enormous.

“I’m going to give him a let-up now. I set him for the Ramornie. That was back in July. A little freshener now would be nice.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “He is one of those horses who likes to be ridden a bit cold. He’s got that turn of foot at the end. The more you can smother him away the better he goes.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Forestreno): 3.40 out to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Teranaba (J. Byrne) raced three wide for the majority of the event. Michelle Cafea (M. Hellyer) laid in under pressure over the final 200m. The track rating was upgraded to Good 2 following the running of this event.