DOOM SEPT 26 - UNCLE JAN TOO GOOD ON THE DAY

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 28, 2009

Doomben, September 26, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 3.5m.
Open Handicap - 2200. Time: 2-15.13.
1 Uncle Jan; 2 Attallus; 3 Go Cart.

A five horse field with four horses covered by prices from $3.10 to $4.20 in the betting told the story that there would be no surprises unless the $41.00 outsider Ram Jam Inn got the decision.

That option evaporated early in the sweep to the turn where Ram Jam Inn fell away quickly. As the field turned for home Go Cart, who had forged to the lead in a tactical move down the back straight, held the advantage by a length from Bell Academy with the main fancy Attallus a similar margin back in third. Behind that, apprentice jockey Chris McIver had switched Uncle Jan out for a run and he was now the widest runner on the track.

Bell Academy weakened early in the straight and Attallus moved up and had Go Cart covered, but none of these runners were able to cope with the measured challenge of the Matt Kropp trained Uncle Jan who made ground from behind to sweep up and go right past his opposition to win, going away, by 0.80 lengths.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Matt Kropp: “We had a bit of luck for a change. It’s been a bit of a battle. You think something would have to go your way sooner or later. No, it was good. He’s been consistent. He was beaten by a fair horse last time (Crossthestart), so he deserves it.

“That’s five runs in six weeks. We are going to give him a month off. He’s eligible for that Stayers Cup at Magic Millions, so we’ve got time to give him a blow and bring him back for a couple before that and have a crack at that hopefully.”

Apprentice jockey Chris McIver: “The plan was at the start to get behind the leader and just to go forward from about the 600. I was in a good spot and then down the back-straight they just rolled along a bit too quick for us and we got back to last. But I knew I had plenty of horse underneath me ... he had no weight ... he was fit. Yeah, we got them in the end.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed due to Bell Academy having to be re-saddled upon its arrival at the barrier stalls.

App M. Speers the rider of Go Cart explained that in his opinion the pace of the race had slackened considerably in the middle stages and felt that it was in his mount's best interests to improve his position forward and to the lead leaving the 1100m.

L. Cassidy the rider of Bell Academy reported that in his opinion the gelding had come to the end of its preparation. Trainer R. Heathcote confirmed that the horse would be sent for an immediate spell. A post race veterinary examination of Bell Academy revealed no abnormalities.