SCST SEPT 06 - SISULA RELISHES STEP UP IN DISTANCE

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Sunshine Coast, September 6, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Maiden Handicap - 1600m. Time: 1-39.12.
1 Sisula; 2 Mulsanne; 3 Dane Raider.

Sisula scored her breakthrough win in her second start for the Troy Hall stable. The mare had been out of action for six months before resuming for Hall with a fifth place finish over 1200m on August 23. Being a touch fitter and the jump up in distance were the two decisive factors in turning around her fortunes.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “Yeah mate, Damian (Browne) rode her the other day (first-up after a six month spell - over 1200m)and he said, she’s a light little thing, she doesn’t carry a lot of condition ... she’s just looking for further. He said, she’s just looking for 1400m or a mile.

“I thought well, being such a light little thing and being clean-winded we’ll just jump her straight to the mile and that should pay dividends and it has ... and of course Damian rode him a treat. Damian’s always got something for the finish, you know, he’s always got something.”

Jockey Damian Browne: “It did need this sort of distance. It has raced over a lot further in Melbourne (2100m) and performed pretty well. But there’s not much of the horse. Being clean-winded, Troy felt the 1600m wouldn’t be a problem.

“She was always going well. I got a pretty soft run early. I was a little bit mindful that she was stepping up to the mile. But that was no problem. The horse hit the line well.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT
Trainer N. Flouskos approached stewards in relation to the gear to be worn by Stalwart Garza. He stated he had removed blinkers and tongue-tie with RISA during the week. In the circumstances, stewards permitted Stalwart Garza to race without this gear, however will inquire further regarding the circumstances surrounding this matter.

Stalwart Garza (M. Hughes) began awkwardly. Tinkler's Lane (S. Kennedy), Angel Gal (B. El-Issa) and Bearhug (I. Coombes) were all slow to begin. Near the 1200m, Mulsanne (J. Bowditch) had to be momentarily steadied when tightened for room between Barlays (O. Turpin) and Lunar Belle (M. Hellyer), which shifted in. Mulsanne raced wide in the early and middle stages.

Leaving the 800m, Barlays had to be steadied when tightened for room between Sisula (D. Browne) and Mulsanne, which shifted in. Sisula (D. Browne) had to be steadied as a consequence. J. Bowditch, rider of Mulsanne, was advised to exercise more care. Near the 700m, Sisula improved on to the heels of Tinkler's Lane and had to be steadied.

Dane Raider (K. Sawyers) commenced to hang in in the home straight, proving difficult to ride out, and near the 100m shifted in, brushing Sobo (M. Cahill). Sobo laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.