SCST SEPT 13 - MULSANNE RUNS OPPOSITION RAGGED

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sunshine Coast, September 13, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - Out 2m.
Maiden Plate (Set Weights) - 1400m. Time: 1-25.72.
1 Mulsanne; 2 Recurrent; 3 Sunday Belle.

The Robert Bradshaw trained Mulsanne led her field a merry dance as she powered her way to a no-nonsense breakthrough win. She simply ran her opposition ragged.

The four-year-old won a hectic chase for the early lead and jockey Paul Hammersley then kept his foot on the accelerator so that Mulsanne had the big field well and truly stretched out behind as she approached the turn with a two length advantage.

There was no let-up from Mulsanne in the straight and it soon became apparent that only Recurrent had any chance of reeling in the frontrunner. That challenge did not materialize though as Hammersley kept his mount going strongly to the line to secure a clear-cut victory.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “The other day ... she should be ridden aggressively, but she was caught five or six wide ... then got the lead and went for home (before finishing second, for the second time in a row). Today she got the lead, had it her own way in front and won as she liked. There have been a lot of seconds lately, go it’s good to get this one.”

Jockey Paul Hammersley: “Yeah, she got a nice lead and got to relax pretty good and stuck on pretty well. At the top of the straight she did hit a bit of a flat spot, but once I reined her up she changed strides and finished off good.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Heza Guru broke through the barriers, and after travelling some distance was declared a late scratching at 12.11 pm. Trainer P. Duff was advised that he must provide two barrier certificates for Heza Guru prior to its next race start.

Barmazal (D. Browne) and Bearhug (I. Coombes) were both slow to begin. Leyburns Lad (L. Rolls) began awkwardly and shifted in, bumping Brubeck (C. Reith), which in turn shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, causing Barmazal (D. Browne) to clip that runners heels and blunder. Fleischmans Rocket (S. Drake) was tightened for room at the start between Magic Cashel (B. Stewart) and Our Girl Giggles (A. Spinks), both of which shifted ground. Over the concluding stages, Sunday Belle (M. Hughes) had a tendency to lay in under pressure, making contact with Magic Cashel (B. Stewart). Sunday Belle (M. Hughes), Magnifico (D. Griffin) and Our Girl Giggles (A. Spinks) raced wide for the majority of the event.

When questioned regarding the performance of Barmazal, D. Browne stated that after receiving interference shortly after the start the horse felt uncomfortable in its action and as a result he was reluctant to place the horse under any real pressure over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of Barmazal failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. In acknowledging the early interference suffered by the gelding, trainer W. Thornton undertook to report back to stewards any abnormality which may become evident in the days following the event.

Stewards inquired into the performance of Bear Hug. Jockey I. Coombes explained that, in his opinion, the horse was looking for a longer distance in its races than that of today's event. Trainer R. Bradshaw agreed with jockey Coombes assessment, adding that it was his intention for the gelding to be stepped up in distances longer than today's event. Whilst acknowledging the explanations, Mr Bradshaw was advised that a warning would be placed on the horse regarding its competitiveness and its performances would be monitored at future TAB meetings.

A post-race veterinary examination of Little Bobby failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
After riding in this race, D. Griffin was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his remaining engagements.

More articles