RHILL SEPT 19 - DRUMBEATS FINDS WINNING RHYTHM

By HRO | Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Rosehill, September 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Shannon Stakes (Group 2) - 1500m. Time: 1-30.13.
1 Drumbeats; 2 Rangirangdoo; 3 Strat’s Flyer.

In another slowly run race Drumbeats led from barrier to box for the in-form Peter Snowden stable.

Rated beautifully in front by Kieran McEvoy, Drumbeats was able to stave off a strong challenge from the erratic Rangirangdoo who probably would have won had he kept a straight course. The rider of the runner up Glyn Schofield lodged a protest claiming the winner shifted out however stewards were of the opinion the interference began with Rangirangdoo and the protest was dismissed .

Strat's Flyer was severely interfered with at the 200m when cut off by the first two horses and picked himself up well to hang on for third.

The disappointment of the race was the favourite O'Lohnro who appeared to have every chance, but he failed to run on with sufficient vigour when the pace quickened at the top of the straight.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by G Schofield, rider of 2nd placegetter, Rangirangdoo, against Drumbeats being declared the winner, alleging interference inside the 100m. After taking evidence from the parties and viewing the videos, Stewards dismissed the objection when they found that from the 200m Rangirangdoo and Drumbeats raced tight, principally due to Rangirangdoo laying in, but that, whilst near the 100m there was a slight shift out by Drumbeats, which resulted in minor contact between Drumbeats and Rangirangdoo, Stewards were not of a mind that it materially affected the finishing positions of the respective horses.

At an inquiry into the reason for Strat's Flyer losing its running near the 200m G Schofield, rider of Rangirangdoo, and K McEvoy, rider of Drumbeats, each pleaded guilty to charges of careless riding for having allowed their mounts to shift ground, which resulted in Strat's Flyer being tightened between Rangirangdoo and Drumbeats and losing its rightful running.

In considering penalty, Stewards took into account the respective riding records of G Schofield and K McEvoy, their guilty pleas and in handing down a three meeting penalty to G Schofield and a two meeting penalty to K McEvoy, they took into account that the major contribution to the interference to Strat's Flyer came from Rangirangdoo.

As a consequence G Schofield's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 27 September 2009, and to expire on Friday, 2 October 2009, on which day he may ride. K McEvoy's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 27 September 2009, and to expire on Thursday, 1 October 2009, on which day he may ride.

At the entrance to the straight O'Lonhro was disappointed for a run between Strat's Flyer and Dane Julia. In this incident Dane Julia was taken out onto Rangirangdoo.

Near the 50m O'Lonhro was hampered when tightened for room between Dane Julia (G Buckley), which shifted in and Strat's Flyer (H Bowman), which shifted out slightly. G Buckley was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he must stop riding and straighten his mount.

When questioned regarding the performance of O'Lonhro, J Ford stated that his mount was not suited by the steady pace mid race and, when he endeavoured to improve his position near the 500m, he was unable to do so, which resulted in O'Lonhro not being able to pick up when the pace quickened. He added that in the straight O'Lonhro ran home reasonably well, but then again struck interference near the finishing line.

McEvoy