DOOM AUG 22 - LIFEBOAT LEAVES RIVALS ALL AT SEA

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Doomben, August 22, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 2.5m.
C, G & E 1MW Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.38.
1 Lifeboat; 2 Ulladulla; 3 Albert Cadabra.

The Quirindi based galloper Lifeboat made it back to back wins when he took out the opening race at Doomben. The Bill Thompson trained gelding had scored at Coffs Harbour in his previous start.

Apprentice jockey Tim Bell, who was having his first ride at the track, was happy to take Lifeboat to the lead early. Lifeboat held his advantage in comfortable fashion for half the trip before gradually increasing the tempo as the field approached the turn.

In the straight Lifeboat managed to dismiss the challenge of Kalkie Kane, who had sat on the heels of the leader throughout, but with both Ulladulla and Albert Cadabra closing up quickly from midfield over the last 200m, Bell had to keep busy on the six-year-old to ward off those threats, particularly from Ulladulla who made a bold forward move along the inside running rail.

In the end Lifeboat, who has a previous win at Doomben to his credit (he won over 1200m on October 4, 2008 in his only other visit to the track), prevailed to secure the result.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bill Thompson: “Yeah, he’s been a good, handy horse ... a good honest fella. It did surprise me the way the race went. I didn’t think he would lead. I said to Tim (apprentice jockey Timothy Bell) before he went just try to bounce him out and get a sit right on the pace, you know. I thought there would be plenty of pace on but when he pinged he just let him go.”

Apprentice jockey Timothy Bell: “He jumped so well so there was no real point in grabbing hold of him too early. It just shows what quality of horse he is to outrun those lightweights chasing him from behind. His character won it today, so hopefully he can win a few better races in the future.

“That was my first ride in Queensland so it was a very great thrill to ride here especially for a trainer in my area ... Mr Thompson. I was thankful to him for giving me the ride. That’s only my third ride on the horse for two wins and second, you know ... you can only get one better placing. Yeah, he’s got a bright future.”

Bell is sixteen years old and he weighs 46kg.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Lifeboat): 3.00 out to 3.20 in to 3.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As S. Galloway was to be overweight, J. Taylor was substituted as the rider of Rotarian. S. Galloway was fined $100 under AR. 120(b). K. Pope was dislodged from his mount Call To Order when proceeding to the barriers. Call To Order was examined by the veterinary surgeon and passed fit to take its place in the field. K. Pope was cleared to ride by ambulance officers.

Shortly after the start Centennial Son (L. Cassidy), which was a little slow to begin, had to be steadied when tightened for room between Monashee Knight (M. Cahill) and Lifeboat (T. Bell). Call To Order (K. Pope) and Rotarian (J. Taylor) raced wide throughout. Approaching the 400m Monashee Knight improved up on to the heels of the tiring Call To Order and had to be steadied.

Jockey J. Byrne was reprimanded under AR. 137A(5) for using his whip on Ulladulla in excess of the allowable amount in consecutive strides over the last 200m.

Kalkie Kane lost its off-fore plate in running and was exhibiting soreness in that foot post-race.

Bell