EF SEPT 19 - PERTINENCE TOO STRONG IN CITY FEATURE

By Graham Potter | Saturday, September 19, 2009

Eagle Farm. September 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Fillies & Mares Handicap (Quality) - 1400m. Time: 1-23.83.
1 Pertinence; 2 Plenty Of Practise; 3 Sheeza Drama.

Sunshine Coast based trainer Troy Hall scored a big win at Eagle Farm when Pertinence took out the $100000 Fillies And Mares Quality Handicap. The mare has become something of a 1400m distance specialist with seven of her nine wins coming over the trip.

Pertinence landed in the leading line then went back to settle third on the rail behind Fasliyev Dancer (who was fighting her rider at the head of affairs) and Michelle Cafea. Plenty of Practise raced in fourth spot.

With Fasliyev Dancer refusing to settle, the complexion of the race changed in the sweep to the turn as both Michelle Cafea (into the lead) and Plenty Of Practise (up to second) made forward moves. Jockey Stathi Katsidis had switched Pertinence off the rail and he now raced alongside Fasliyev Dancer, just off the speed. Sheeza Drama was best of the rest.

The ever-game Michella Cafea kicked on early in the straight but her every move was covered by Plenty Of Practise who reeled in the mare at the 180m. No sooner had Plenty Of Practise taken the lead then it was in turn snatched away from her by Pertinence who pounced right on cue to race away with the honours over the final 100m.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Stathi Katsidis: “She’s ultra consistent. She needs things to go her way. She travelled really, really well today with the slow speed. In the race the other day they went fast. It doesn’t suit her. She likes a 1400m race where they go like a mile. Today was perfect. She had to be lucky ... but what a race to win hey ... $100000 race. Good on her.

“She looked very good and superior today. When the race is run like that, she can do that. The horses behind her were always going to struggle, but the ones in front of her had their chance to beat her with the slow speed. No, all credit to her and to trainer Troy Hall for keeping her up for so long.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
In the early and middle stages, Used To be A Dancer (P. Hammersley) over-raced and pulled hard, proving difficult to ride.

When questioned, L. Rolls, rider of Fasliyev Dancer, stated that he had been given instructions by trainer T. Bailey this morning and he was told to be positive early and take up a forward position and then try to steady the horse. He stated that in accordance with these instructions he rode his mount along just after the start and took up the lead and that Fasliyev Dancer was travelling well in front but he was concerned that it might have been going too hard in the quality of today's race and he endeavoured to settled his mount. He acknowledged that in hindsight this was an error from him, and given the opportunity to ride the race again he would allow Fasliyev Dancer to continue to stride along. No direct action was taken, however stewards advised apprentice Rolls that the manner in which he rode Fasliyev Dancer had caused concern and if he found himself in a similar circumstance in future they would expect he would display greater judgement