EF SEPT 05 - MR ORIENT LANDS WELL JUDGED VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 7, 2009

The Peter Balzen trained Mr Orient came home under a well judged ride from Joe Bowditch to claim the third success of his career. All three of his wins have been achieved over the 1400m trip.

Settled in fourth placing on the rail for much of the trip, Mr Orient was in danger of getting trapped on the inside as the field straightened and he did need a touch of luck, not once but twice, in the run home.

He got his first break when Stolit, who was racing ahead of him to his outside, weakened early and dropped out of contention. Judge Me Not then looked like he might keep Mr Orient tight on the fence but he too failed to sustain his effort. When the split came, the option Bowditch had patiently been biding his time for was offered and Mr Orient seized the opportunity and rubber-stamped the result with a telling finish which none of his rivals could match.

Eagle Farm, September 5, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 1m.
Class 6 (4yo and Up) Handicap - 1400m. Time: 1-24.05.
1 Mr Orient; 2 Thorondo; 3 Release Me.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Joe Bowditch: “Yeah, he got a nice draw today and the horse hasn’t had much luck in the last couple of runs. He ended up getting a lovely run today. There wasn’t a lot of speed so he was able to race a little bit closer.

“I just had to wait for the split. He is not an overly big horse and he sort of can’t push his way around. When Judge Me Not went past he just lay on the top of him a little bit, but once we got enough room he dived through it ... hit the line well. He is the type of horse that needs a bit of racing room. His last couple of runs he probably hasn’t had that. Today he was given the room he needed and he finished it off well.”

Trainer Peter Balzen was not at the track. Balzen is still recuperating from an injury received approximately four weeks ago when he kicked in the stomach by one of his runners, Punch Up, when he was hosing the horse down after track-work. The trainer has only recently returned to stable duty where he is in ‘light work’. The result was a timely boost for all concerned.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mr Orient): 11.00 out to 12.00.
Favourite (JudgeMe Not): 2.80 out to 3.30 in to 3.20.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start, Thorondo (J. Taylor) blundered and shifted in, causing Gaze On (C. Reith) to be tightened on to Ready To Rise (M. Cahill). Judge Me Not (S. Seamer) pulled hard and was obliged to race three wide for the majority of the event. Telebanco (L. Cassidy) was held up in the straight until approaching the 200m.

When questioned as to Release Me racing in the lead today as opposed to previous occasions where the horse had raced back in the field. J. Byrne stated he had discussed the race with the trainer and felt that it appeared there was not a lot of pace in the race and that it may be in the best interests of the horse to ride Release Me positively and obtain a forward position. He stated that he anticipated Stolit being the leader, however when he attempted to allow Stolit to progress to the lead and take a trail, his mount was inclined to lay out, thus preventing him from restraining it to trail Stolit. J. Byrne added that the horse had laid out throughout the race.

Trainer J. McLachlan stated that he did not anticipate Release Me leading as he felt Stolit would have led, however he agreed that due to the lack of pace in the race today he expected Release Me to race close to the lead. Mr McLachlan was advised of his obligations to notify stewards of any variation in riding tactics.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Stolit, trainer T. Miller explained that the horse has not performed up to expectations at Eagle Farm and its best form has been at Caloundra this campaign. A post race veterinary examination of Stolit revealed the horse had cast its off-hind plate and had pulled up showing signs of being mildly distressed.