EF OCT 17 - BURDEKIN BLUES SLAYS HIS RIVALS

By Matthew Grimson and Graham Potter | Monday, October 19, 2009

Eagle Farm, October 17, 2009.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 3m.
Open Handicap - 1000m. Time: 0-56.69.
1 Burdekin Blues; 2 Southerly Impact; 3 Backstabber.

Burdekin Blues, who just succumbed to the late charge of Forestreno in his first-up run last time, set the record straight here with the kind of strong front-running performance which typified his earlier successes.

Daunting Lad, who was racing first-up for his new trainer Danny Bougoure, had the cheek to try and pressure Burdekin Blues mid-race to test for any weakness, but he found none. Cattleman, who was the next closest runner to the lead on straightening was also unable to do anything to disturb the rhythm of the Barry Baldwin trained speed merchant.

Burdekin Blues did need a few courtesy reminders over the last 180m, but he was always in charge and he got the job done in a manner befitting such a short-priced favourite.

The ever-consistent Southerly Impact deserves every credit for claiming a game second place finish. The Donald Baker trained gelding had not dodged anything this prep and has been good enough to finish either first or second in all of his last five starts.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “It looks like he is getting back near his best and he just went to the line a bit better today. He had 59kgs and there were a couple of other good runners, so I was quite happy. It was good to see the fact that when he gave him a dig he actually kicked away, you know. So I was just quite happy with that mate.

“Mate, we might give him a go at Melbourne. He’s going to get plenty of weight here and there’s a Group Two race inbetween the two straight sixes... the 1100m race, and my idea is we go down there if the boss lets me.

“That will tell us whether we go back for the Lightning and the Oakley Plate later. See if he can handle the straight six once and for all. That’ll tell you where you’re going and so we’ll just go down for the one run I think. That’s my idea anyhow. I just think, you know, maybe 1100. I think he is a good sprinter. I dunno about going 1200. He’s won over 1200, I know, but I prefer him over shorter courses. At least today he actually sprinted at the top of the straight, which is something he didn’t do last start.

“I want to fly him down to Melbourne. I’m not afraid of floating him, but it’s a fair way. You can take him down to Sydney and keep going. I think this day in age a plane flight knocks a lot less out of them. You can always come home and give them a spell afterwards."

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “Nah, look, he is very fast. You don’t even have to push him really, you know, because if you push him next minute you’re going too fast. It’s a shame that the other horse (Daunting Lad) sat with me because we would have got a lot softer lead and he probably wins easier. You know, just made him work that little bit with the 59kgs. He definitely stripped fitter this time around but that run will definitely improve him again.”

PRICE PLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Burdekin Blues): 1.70 out to 1.80 in to 1.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start both Mr Aristos (J. Byrne) and Power Of George were tightened for room between Cattleman (M. Hellyer), which shifted out, and Sequallan (C. McIver), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in. Near the 700m, Mr Aristros (J. Byrne) shifted out and made contact with the hind quarters of Sequallan (C. McIver). A short distance later, Sequallan shifted in and away from the heels of Power Of George and again made contact with Mr Aristos.

Near the 600m, Power Of George shifted in, tightening the running of Sequallan. Passing the 500m, Mr Aristos shifted out, resulting in Sequallan having to be steadied. Sequallan then travelled strongly at the heels of Mr Aristos and had to be steadied on several occasions approaching the 400m. Near the 100m, Cattleman (M. Hellyer) shifted in, making contact with the tiring Daunting Lad (G. Colless).
Dance Girl Dance raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination of Power Of George and Daunting Lad failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.