DOOM AUG 29 - ERIPSNI GIVES GRAHAM FIRST CITY WINNER

By Matthew Grimson and Graham Potter | Monday, August 31, 2009

Doomben, August 29, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 5.5m.
NMW Handicap - 1110m. Time: 1.04.27
1 Eripsni; 2 One Eyed; 3 I Dared.

Jenny Graham has a small team of eight horses in work and Eripsni became her first City winner when he outgunned his opposition with a spirited, rails hugging win at double-figure odds.

Jockey Ryan Wiggins made certain his mount held the inside line as he, King Hunter and Pub Torque raced in the leading line early on. This trio were still at the head of affairs as the field turned for home, but Eripsni quickly broke up that formation by dashing away on straightening.

With King Hunter and Pub Torque weakening out of contention, Eripsni was able to open up a clear-cut lead early in the straight and, while Guissepino threatened and One-Eyed also chased on gamely, Eripsni had his race won and win number five from twelve starts was safely in the bank for the lightly raced five-year-old.

Just for the record, while Fab Fevola was getting rave reviews for his win, Eripsni’s success passed relatively quietly under the radar. Interesting to note therefore that Eripsni’s time for the 1100m trip (1-04.27) was a better time than the 1-04.40 set by Fab Fevola over the same distance one race earlier. Eripsni carried 1.5kg less than Fab Fevola.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jenny Graham: “It was good hey! That is my first win at Doomben. I had a horse a few years ago that ran second up here. But this is my first one here. I’ve had her since she was a baby. She was a bit unlucky in her last run (at Coffs Harbour, when coming back in third place). She sort of carried the weight and drew reasonably wide. And a good jockey that rides for me at home said he was just trapped deep and couldn’t do much about it. So today made up for it.

“Yeah she has always shown she has had ability. We have had a few problems here and there along the way. Her last prep just went wrong so we turned her out and brought her back in. And this prep’s gone well so far and better today.

“She travelled really well getting here (to Brisbane). We travelled at night so I think that made a difference and she had her breakfast when we got up here. We came up on Thursday night and we are staying with Brain Smith. I am hoping that we can keep her up here another week or two and just see where we are at. Hopefully we can have another go while we’re here.”

Jockey Ryan Wiggins: “Yeah I had a good gate and I had the advantage of just kicking up and holding the boys out while they were doing a bit of work. My filly relaxed nice and steady there so that’s probably why she did such a good kick at the end of the race. She’s a real trier and as soon as I gave her one I knew I was in with a chance, because as soon as a gave her one she really pinned her ears back and had a dig.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Overanxious (J. Byrne), which began awkwardly, had to be checked shortly after the start when tightened for room by Star Of Minto (M. Speers), which was taken in by Prince Lionheart (C. Reith).

Passing the 800m, Snorkel (S. Seamer) raced in restricted room and Star Of Minto (M. Speers) became unbalanced and had to be checked when racing tight inside of Gallacher (O. Turpin), Idared (A. Pattillo) and King Hunter (M. Hellyer). It was established that whilst Gallagher had initially tightened Star Of Minto when it shifted in and away from Idared, he was unable to relieve the pressure as Idared had shifted in away from King Hunter. A. Pattillo, rider of Idared, were both severely reprimanded and instructed to take greater measures to keep his mounts straight in future.
Pub Torque (J. Wood) raced wide throughout.

Gallagher was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and found to have bled from one nostril. Trainer J. Dixon was advised that the horse would be required to gallop 1000m before stewards before resuming racing. J. Dixon stated that he would recommend to connections that the horse be retired.

Graham