EF SEPT 19 - RASMUSSEN’S STRONG FIRST-UP SHOWING

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 21, 2009

Eagle Farm. September 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Open Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-10.31.
1 Rasmussen; 2 Southerly Impact; 3 Eleda.

The Gillian Heinrich trained Rasmussen dominated from the front here. The seven-year-old had the gate speed to gain the early lead and, once there, he dictated the pace of the race to his own advantage.

Rasmussen only had to deal with one challenge as Southerly Impact came at him early in the straight. These two runners joined issue in a two-way battle for the whole run home, but Rasmussen always held the advantage and he maintained a strong gallop to the line to ensure that he was first across the line.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “I was very happy going into the race. I thought he was the best he’s ever been. Setting the pace like that is what he does ... that’s what he does best. He did that in a trial last Friday. He jumped in the front and won by about eight (lengths). That put the writing on the wall.

“He is always good first-up as he showed again today. Let’s hope this time he can keep it going. He does have raw talent, but he doesn’t cop pressure really well. He is probably a bit of a sook that way. He does like things his own way and then he is tremendous. It’s when they start to put pressure on him that he tends to fold a little bit. Hopefully he’s older and maybe he’s got a bit more heart.

“No, we’ve got no big plans for him. I just wanted to make sure I got him going this prep. We had a bad prep last time with him so I just wanted to get him going alright. Hopefully he is coming into his own. The Flying Spur’s ... they get better as they get older. He is as sound as a bell and mentally he is a lot more mature now.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “I just let my intentions be known coming out of the gates. I let him run along for 150m to let them know I was going to lead. Then, once I got there I rested for two-and-half furlongs and then he fought on good.

“I’ve always liked the horse. He has always been a nice horse to me. I think on his day, when he gets to dictate, that’s when he is sort of hard to beat, you know ... and if something just doesn’t go his way sometimes, he just doesn’t finish off as well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Rasmussen): 4.40 steady.
Favourite (Southerly Impact): 3.20 out to 3.30. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
In the early part of the straight, Vocalic (P. Wolfgram) was held up for clear running, and after the 200m had to shift in abruptly to obtain clear running. Nepro (C. McIver), Daedalus (L. Cassidy), Art Success (M. Hughes) raced three deep throughout.