SCST OCT 11 - COEN GIVES JAMES HER FIRST PROVINCIAL WINNER

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Sunshine Coast, October 11, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m. Time: 1-25.55.
1 Coen; 2 Elshamah; 3 Runjana.

Apprentice jockey Keely James scored her first provincial win when she partnered the long-priced Coen to an upset victory in the last race of the meeting at Coloundra on Sunday.

Coen jumped from the worst of the draw and James sent the gelding forward and crossed to lead with Will Impress. These two runners held their position at the head of affairs until the turn. Will Impress cried enough soon after straightening, but Coen had little rest as Elshamah immediately loomed up on his outside and made a big play for the lead.

Elshamah actually headed Coen briefly, but the five-year-old wasn’t finished yet and James coaxed something extra from the gelding who came again at Elshamah. It was Elshamah’s turn to be under pressure and Coen rammed home his advantage by regaining the lead on the inside and fighting on to score a proud victory for trainer Ian Livingstone and his stable apprentice Keely James.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ian Livingstone: “No, I wouldn’t say it was an improved performance. He hasn’t had the opportunity ... he just likes to be out front or pretty close to the lead. When he is there, that’s when he races his best. Yeah, he will fight back if challenge. Keeley (James) is our apprentice, so she knows the horse very well.”

Apprentice jockey Keely James: “I had orders to go ahead ... to get forward. I’ve never been in an outside barrier with him like that. Yeah, he just went strong. It got to one stage where we were leading even though we weren’t on the rail and he had me a bit worried there because he was very, very strong.

“When we got to the straight, for a second, I saw a couple of horses surging up on either side. I just asked him for a little more and he really gave it. Yes, that’s my first provincial winner. It’s good. It’s good because also it’s my horse. He is my trainer’s horse. We’ve been through a lot together. Now we’ve finally found how he clicks. He likes to lead.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Left Hook (K. Pope) and Monchenglabach (J. Holder) were slow to begin. Red Star (J. Letherby) and Will Impress (M. Hellyer) made contact on jumping away. Truesdale (S. Katsidis) was inclined to over-race in the early stages of the event. Leaving the 800m, Red Tsar (J. Letherby) shifted in, making contact with the running rail. As a result, Monchenglabach, which was trailing, shifted out, taking Left Hook wider on the track. Left Hook was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Left Hook hung out rounding the home turn.

Approaching the 200m, Truesdale (S. Katsidis) was disappointed for a tight run between Elshamah (R. Wiggins) and Indeseado (P. Hammersley). Truesdale (S. Katsidis) was held up for clear running in the straight until approaching the 200m. Indeseado (P. Hammersley) was caught racing wide for the majority of the event.

When questioned regarding the riding tactics adopted on Coen today as compared with previous tactics on the horse this campaign, trainer I. Livingstone explained that the instructions to jockeys had been the same with the intention to press forward, however circumstances that developed during the race prevented the horse from occupying a more forward position in previous starts. He further stated that he instructed apprentice James to press forward today from the wide barrier with a view to obtaining a forward position. Stewards noted the explanation.

Stewards questioned apprentice K. James and her master Mr I. Livingstone regarding her failure to claim her full allowance at today's meeting. After considering the explanation, stewards were satisfied there were mitigating circumstances and took the matter no further.

James