LEEBAZ GOES BACK TO BACK IN THE HOLLINDALE

By Graham Potter | Monday, May 9, 2016

A.D.HOLLINDALE STAKES – GROUP 2 – 1800m

Defending champion Leebaz was back to defend his Hollindale title but he was totally unwanted in the betting on this occasion. This time he would win at a starting price of $31.

In the 2015 edition of the race Leebaz raced on the speed, tracking the leader in second place, before hitting the front at the top of the straight and staying on powerfully enough to thwart the effort of the faster finishing Sir Moments.

Sit Moments was also due to run in this latest renewal of the race but he was a scratching on race-day.

This time Leebaz settled in third on the rail behind Strawberry Boy and Excess Knowledge ... then fourth when Honey Toast went around his field to move up alongside the leader.

Jockey Michael Cahill shifted slightly off the rail coming out of the home turn to keep his options open, but when the tiring Strawberry Boy and Honey Toast raced tight together in front of him, Cahill angled Leebaz back towards the inside running rail.

With a clear run now offered to him, Leebaz quickened nicely and he was already in front with 200m left to run. The short-priced favourite Haraki had also found daylight, after racing back in the pack early. He was now in full stride coming down the centre of the track.

It was now a race in two with it momentarily looking like the momentum was on Haraki’s side but, just as he had done a year earlier, Leebaz showed both commitment and courage in the final chase to the line.

He simply refused to be headed and stayed on for a famous victory ... the ninth of his career and one which took his stake earnings past the $1 million mark.

WINNER FEEDBACK:

CO-TRAINER WAYNE HAWKES:

“They went lickety-split. He doesn’t have to lead this bloke. I was a little bit worried when there was a bit of a scrimmage early, but then he settled really good behind Strawberry Boy and the speed came on when the other horse whipped around and put on all the pressure.

“We know he goes well here because he won here last year but he normally just grinds. This time he sprinted really, really well the old boy.

“He (Michael Cahill) rode him really well. Third the fence. Didn’t go around a horse. Great effort.

“If you take out the Queen Elizabeth run last start where he just got hammered in front ... when the leaders went toe to toe and dropped out to last and second last (behind Luca Valentina in the Group 1) ... well, he won the Easter Cup at Caulfield before that so he really had good form behind him.

“The Doomben Cup? Well, he’s here. He’s hard and he is fit. He is going super.

“Can they run the Doomben Cup at the Gold Coast?

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:

PUCCINI – Over-raced in the early stages.

KOOL KOMPANY – Over=raced in the early and middle stages.

SPIRITJIM – Rounding the first turn near the 1400m was inclined to over-race and hung out.

HONEY TOAST – Taken wider on the track by SPIRITJIM passing the 1400m and was then ridden forward to settle outside the leader.

OLD NORTH – Held up rounding the home turn.

IT’S SOMEWHAT – Passing the 200m had to be steadied when disappointed for a run to the inside of VOLKSTOK’N’ BARRELL. Raced 3 wide without cover throughout.

VOLKSTOK’N’BARRELL – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

EXCESS KNOWLEDGE – When questioned as to the disappointing performance jockey T. Harrison stated that she was instructed to ride the horse more forward today and added that her mount travelled particularly well after obtaining cover near the 1200m however, she was disappointed in its efforts in finishing the race off. Jockey Harrison noted that the horse had cast a near-hind plate.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be lame in the near-fore leg. Veterinary clearance required prior to next start.

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