IPSW SEPT 17 - UNICA BAHAYA SCORES IN IMPRESSIVE FASHION

By Graham Potter | Saturday, September 19, 2009

Ipswich, September 17, 2009.
Track - Good. Rail - out 7.5m.
3yo QTIS Class 1 Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-10.33.
1 Unica Bahaya; 2 Redgate; 3 Catallion.

The David Murphy trained Unica Bahaya made it two from two with the minimum of fuss, coming home in eye-catching fashion under a super confident ride from jockey Christian Reith.

Reith took the filly back to the rear of the field early on and let her settle and build a comfortable rhythm in her own time. Still last turning for home, Reith angled the three-year-old out into the centre of the track, gave her a flick of the wrists followed by a couple of slaps and Unica Bahaya was on her way. She strode effortlessly past her rivals getting to front quickly enough for Reith to just ride her out hands and heels over the last 100m while he enjoyed the view.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “Nice filly mate, really nice filly. Hasn’t raced for four weeks. Rode her a bit cold. Chris (Reith) rode her well. The owners have been patient with her. She might even go on to better things. She handled the step up to 1200m easy enough. I think she’ll get 1350m.

“She’s still very young, but a very relaxed filly. What she is doing here is on natural ability ... that’s all. We’ll see how she pulls up. There’s a 1350 on Saturday week.”

Jockey Christian Reith: “She’s a cracker, mate. They had a big opinion before she won her first race. She’s just a professional in a race. If you ride her in track-work, you think you are riding a yearling. She’s a terrible tracker. But, in a race, anything you ask her to do, she’ll do. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
When questioned, trainer D. Bougoure explained that it was his intention to have Black Toni ridden in a forward position today, which was in contrast to its most recent start at Doomben on 2 September 2009. An announcement to this effect was made prior to race 1. After being slow to begin, Black Toni settled in a handy position.

Jockey L. Cassidy, rider of Racing Heart, which performed below expectations, explained that the gelding was inclined to shift out away from the leader, Redgate (B. Pengelly), throughout the race and failed to respond to his riding after passing the 500m. Trainer R. Heathcote could offer no explanation for the gelding's performance today and stated that Racing Heart had been working well leading into today's race, and he undertook to report to stewards any condition that may have had an effect on the performance of Racing Heart. A post race veterinary examination of Racing Heart failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Jockey M. Cahill reported to stewards that Rocky Habit hung out throughout the race, placing him at a distinct disadvantage. A post race veterinary examination of Rocky Habit failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Subsequently, trainer M. Mair was advised that the horse must trial to the stewards' satisfaction prior to its next race start.

Reith