DOOM SEPT 16 - ALPHA TOWN SCORES HARD EARNED WIN

By Matthew Grimson and Graham Potter | Friday, September 18, 2009

Doomben, September 16, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 1.5m
Maiden Handicap - 1615m.Time: 1-39.17.
1 Alpha Town; 2 Johanne's Diamond; 3 Sassafras Boy.

The Troy Gayler trained Alpha Town led briefly, but jockey Joe Bowditch steadied the mare at the 1200m, allowing Warspite and Sassafras Boy to go past as he settled Alpha Town in a comfortable third position going down the back straight.

That status quo remained until the turn. On straightening Alpha Town needed some luck in the running if she was going to avoid having to switch around heels and she got just that as a made-to-order gap appeared between Warspite and Sassafras Boy early in the straight

It was no instant success though as Alpha Town had to knuckle down to get to the leaders and it took all the way the 75m before she headed Sassafras Boy to take the lead - and then she still had to deal with the charging Johanne’s Diamond who got oh-so-close to getting a result.

It was a particularly game effort by Johanne’s Diamond who was held wide for most of the running before sweeping forward four .. five wide on the turn and then chasing home strongly down the centre of the track.

WIN NER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Gayler: “Yeah it was a pretty good win. The tongue tie (first time on) ... we think last start she doubled her tongue over when she was racing and it sort of caused her a bit of discomfort and over-racing. It seems to have sorted it out. Also we stepped her up to 1615 here. Aucash’s seem to get up over a bit more ground.

“She was knocking on the door. She missed the kick two starts back in a decent maiden over there at Eagle Farm and should have come a bit closer in that race but dead-heated for second which was pretty good. We were expecting her to do well.”

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “She went good today. The last time I rode her she was a little bit tardy out, she screwed her head at the start. Today she jumped really good ... showed nice speed early. I was quite happy to let them go, I didn’t want to lead and try to do it all the way because I don’t think she is that strong. But, we got clear. She had a good turn of foot, but probably didn’t want any further. Probably just came to the end of the run right on the line, so it was a good win.

“They didn’t go overly hard either which probably didn’t really suit her. It would have been a bit better if I had to ride her along a bit. She’s very fit but, at this stage, I wouldn’t be in any hurry to step her up over more distance.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Indeed I Am was declared a late scratching at 7.41 am. Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer B. Laming, however he was reminded of the importance to ensure scratchings are made by the required time. Brigadoon Champ (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin.

Approaching the first turn, Brigadoon Champ (P. Hammersley) raced ungenerously for a short distance. Near the 1000m, Johanne’s Diamond (L. Cheshire) shifted out, taking Dance Request (L. Cassidy) three wide. Passing the 800m, Brigadoon Champ again raced ungenerously for a short distance and shifted out, taking Johanne’s Diamond momentarily wider on the track.