RAND OCT 03 - ROCK KINGDOM RULES OK

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Randwick, October 3, 2009.
Epsom Handicap (Group 1) - 1600m.
Track - Heavy. Time: 1-38.65.
1 Rock Kingdom; 2 Rangirangdoo; 3 Road To Rock.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Rock Kingdom bounced back from an unplaced finish in the George Main last week to take out the Group 1 Epsom Handicap after a protracted duel with Rangirangdoo.

Jockey Blake Shinn took his time in bringing the four-year-old across from a wide alley, but when he did get in he was able to settle Rock Kingdom in second place outside the front-running Rollins. At this stage Rangirangdoo sat just off the speed in fifth placing.

Rollins led to the turn. Rock Kingdom straightened in second spot. The important change in order was that Rangirangdoo had improved his position and was now hard on the heels of Rock Kingdom. As Rock Kingdom accelerated past the tiring Rollins and surged forward to take the lead, Rangirangdoo went with the chestnut and, by the 200m mark, these two runners joined issue in what had essentially become a two horse race.

Rangirangdoo showed great character in cutting back the leeway in the heavy conditions, but now it was the turn of Rock Kingdom to show his worth and the leader displayed fighting qualities beyond and above the call of duty to frustrate every effort of Rangirangdoo who got within a head-bob of victory at the line.

Such was the thrill of success that the adrenaline was still pumping when a clearly elated Blake Shinn brought Rock Kingdom back to scale. It was Shinn’s third winner on the day, the rider having scored earlier with the two-year-old colt Run For Wilson (for trainer Jason Coyle) and Shellscrape (for trainer Chris Waller).

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gai Waterhouse: “It’s very exciting, because we thought long and hard, how can we win this race? The weights were so stupidly constructed ... how do we win it? So we put the shades back on him and I we put him in the box seat, because the only way we could beat these other horses was to make sure we only had a very short sprint.

“Blake (Shinn) rode him sensationally. Not because he won the race, but he used his brains. You saw how he sat outside the leader. He didn’t take the leader on. He just sat on his hammer and tack waiting to pounce. Congratulations on a great ride Blake.

“He was badly disadvantaged at Weight For Age (in his previous start when unplaced in the George Main). He is not quite there yet, but when he gets to Melbourne he will be right up to it.”

Jockey Blake Shinn: “Unbelievable! To win an Epsom ... it is unbelievable. You watch these races growing up and dream to win it. No, it’s fantastic. The horse did a very good job.

“It was a very good run. I had to just keep working to get where I did. He was always comfortable in doing so. He travelled well, handled the conditions and, you know, he is a fighter. He showed before he is very tough. When Rangirangdoo got to me he really toughed it out well.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start Triple Honour, which was inclined to lay in and away from Road To Rock (G Schofield), then had to be restrained off the heels of O’Lonhro, which shifted out and Road To Rock, which continued to shift in. G Schofield was told to ensure he is fully clear when shifting ground. Mr Baritone and O’Lohnro pulled hard in the early stages. Near the 700m Rangirangdoo shifted out and bumped Emperor Bonaparte.

When questioned, J Ford, rider of O’Lonhro, stated that his mount travelled well until he asked it for an effort passing the 600m, whereby the entire laboured in the going. A post race veterinary examination of O’Lonhro revealed the entire to be displaying a cough. A post race veterinary examination of Strat’s Flyer did not reveal any abnormalities.

Shinn