DIVINE CENTURI GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

By Graham Potter | Monday, May 16, 2016

GREEN OPTIONS RACING QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLDS HANDICAP – 1050M.
DOOMBEN, MAY 14

WINNER: DIVINE CENTURI (3 b f I Am Invincible – Witching Ways)
Track: Good (4). Time: 0:59.75 Sectional Time: Last 600m: 0:33.54.

Divine Centuri had shown to good advantage in every one of her five starts going into this race with a last start win in the Mick Dittman franking her credentials. She did start favourite but still was quoted at reasonable odds of $4 ... and those who didn’t hesitate to take that price were already celebrating halfway up the straight.

Divine Centuri jumped well and was pushed forward to race on the speed in-between Strata Lady ($11) on the rail and Blue Desert Moon ($11)on the outside. Approaching the home turn, the effects of Blue Desert Moon’s early effort from a wide draw saw her drop out of contention, leaving Strata Lady and Divine Centauri racing stride for stride in front as they brought the field into the home straight.

Wicked Intent ($16), who had held a watching brief early on, cut inside the tiring Blue Desert Moon on the turn and he was right on the heels of Divine Centuri on straightening.

The chase was now well and truly on and when Ryan Wiggins asked Divine Centuri for a further effort just shy of the 200m mark, the daughter of I Am Invincible duly obliged and kicked on strongly to the line.

Wicked Intent did likewise but could not find enough to cut back the leeway and his bold effort was rewarded with a sound runner-up finish, although the faster finishing Taillevent would have taken that spot away in another few strides.

Taillevent ($12), who had been racing within a length of Wicked Intent in the sweep to the turn, chased on well enough in the first half of the straight but did take time to change gears and it was only over the final 100m that he made up ground in eye-catching fashion.

All Troops($17), who claimed fourth spot, was another horse who finished off steadily after taking the shortest way home, but at no stage did he threaten the winner.

The second favourite Secret Saga ($4,75), who was the only runner bar Divine Centuri quoted under $9, finished unplaced, four lengths behind the winner.

She was ordinary at the start. She raced wide for the bulk of the trip. She was held up briefly at the head of the straight. She did make up marginal ground late, but for all that ... she did not appear to really be in a galloping mood and effectively went to the line relatively untested.

*Divine Centauri is now a four time winner from six starts. She also has one second and one third placing to her credit.

WINNER FEEDBACK:

TRAINER STUART KENDRICK:

“She is a very tough filly. She had to do it at both ends there and she really dug in, so I like the way she is going.

“It’s a little bit tricky what we do next. We were supposed to start last week in the Gold Coast Guineas and then on to the Fred Best, but we drew badly down there and we’ve come here today.

“There is another nice race in a fortnight, but I’ll just have to sit down and weigh up the options.

“She has just taken some time to mature but I think she’ll definitely run the 1200 without any doubt at all. I really think she will actually run a nice 1350, 1400.”

JOCKEY RYAN WIGGINS:

“She has got a bit of class about her and I definitely think she is six months away too which is a good sign.

“I didn’t want to sit outside the leader but when some were struggling to get across and I saw Chris Munce’s horse (Wicked Intent) wasn’t there I thought I’d kick up and sit outside the leader and make them work behind me and make them chase me.

‘I though halfway down the straight I was very vulnerable . ... but she staved them off.

“I reckon in six months time you’ll see a very nice horse.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:

The start of this race was delayed when LA DOLCE VITA was reluctant to proceed to the barriers before barrier staff rendered assistance.

SECRET SAGA – Slow into stride. Held up in the early stages of the straight before shifting out near the 200m.

BLUE DESERT MOON – Apprentice J. Orman advised stewards that it was his intention to go forward, however the filly failed to muster sufficient speed to clear other runners and as a result was left racing three wide without cover. He added that the horse travelled well throughout until placed under pressure approaching the 400m where it failed to respond and proved very disappointing.

Trainer T. Sears was unable to offer any explanation for the filly’s performance other than it endured a tough run. He advised that he would be recommending to connections that the filly be sent for an immediate spell. Mr Sears undertook to report to stewards if any abnormalities become apparent, after which time stewards will decide if any further action needs to be taken. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer reports horse will continue its prep, but he will be removing the tongue tie, and seeking a weaker class race for the the future.

DRAM OF RED – Connections advised that the gelding would be ridden in a forward position with cover if circumstances permit. The horse settled in a three wide position midfield. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had bled from both nostrils. Trainer M. Dunn was advised that the gelding would be ineligible to start for 3 months, and prior to resuming racing must perform satisfactorily in a 1000m gallop in the presence of a steward.

AUSSIE JACK – Inconvenienced approaching the 200m.

ALL TROOPS – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.

DRUMBEAT’S CHOICE – Steadied when crowded slightly approaching the first turn. Apprentice S. Eilbeck reported that the gelding hung out throughout the event.

EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN – Slow into stride.

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