DOOM OCT 07 - ROKATOKO STROLLS IN

By Graham Potter | Friday, October 9, 2009

Doomben, October 07, 2009
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 8m.
Maiden Handicap (C, G & E) - 1200m. Time: 1-10.50.
1 Rokatoko; 2 Big Boori; 3 Cotham.

Trainer Alan Bailey has a few big horses in his stable. Rokatoko, who was a first-timer on the day, is one of them.

Sent off at restrictive odds on his debut, Rokatoko was perfectly position on the rail just off the speed as Alandy Lad and All Fear set a useful gallop as disputed the lead. On the turn, Rokatoko wasn’t shy to use his bulk to bully his way into the clear. Once he balanced up and lengthened his stride it was ‘race over’ as the imposing son of Fastnet Rock extended to leave his opposition in his wake and go on to win by a convincing five length margin.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “He is a big horse this fella. Oh his mother was a big horse. His temperament is good though. He is a beautiful horse. The owners bred him and retained him ... they’re Westminster Stud, they own the mare (Crestfallen). I trained her. She was a good mare ... a very good mare.

“He’s only having his first run now as a three-year-old because he was just too big. He had to be given time to grow into himself. He’ll be better when he has another break too. I might give him one more run and then put him out. When the hot weather comes I’ll just put him out. He never went through a Magic Millions sale or anything so we don’t have to try and line him up anywhere. We can just go at our own pace. He’ll probably make a (winter) carnival horse.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On return to scale a protest was lodged by S. Galloway, rider of the 3rd placegetter, Lindys Cross, against Big Boori being declared the 2nd placegetter, alleging interference over the concluding stages of the race. It was established that Big Boori did shift in and brush Lindys Cross over the concluding stages, however stewards could not be satisfied that this incident materially affected the result of the race, bearing in mind the proximity of the incident to the finish line and therefore dismissed the objection and correct weight was semaphored on the Judge's placings.

The start of this race was delayed when Big Boori took charge of its rider behind the barriers and galloped back up the 1600m chute. The horse was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and cleared to start. Trainer M. Thexton was advised that a warning was being placed on the horse in regards to its pre-race behaviour.

Cothan (S. Galloway) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Romone (P. Hammersley) and Alandy Lad (A. Pattillo) bumped on jumping away. Ima Redneck (M. Cahill) raced three deep throughout.

Stewards sought an explanation from S. Galloway regarding his riding of Cotham approaching and rounding the home turn. S. Galloway explained that he was positioned behind one of the more fancied runners in Big Boori and he felt it was in the horse's best interests not to attempt to make ground around Ima Redneck when it raced three wide as he was of the opinion that Big Boori upon straightening would move Ima Redneck wider on the track, resulting in him being forced to cover extra ground. S. Galloway added that he felt it was in the horse's best interests to wait until the home turn and attempt to position his horse into a run to the inside of Big Boori. The explanation was noted.