EF OCT 17 - TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR TARRAYOUKHAN

By Matthew Grimsonand Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Eagle Farm, October 17, 2009.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 3m.
1MW Handicap - 1600m. Time: 1-36.38.
1 Tarrayoukyan; 2 Sirena Ligera; 3 Riseupsinging.

This race produced another peach of a ride from Glen Colless who allowed Tarrayoukhan to track across in his own time from his outside draw to settle in second spot, one out, one back, behind the leader Sirena Ligera.

These two runners brought the field into the home straight where Tarrayoukhan immediately started to apply pressure on Sirena Ligera. The latter kicked on well enough, but Tarrayoukhan was always going slightly the better of the two and he put his head in front 250m out.

Still Sirena Ligera wouldn’t go away and Colless kept Tarrayoukhan racing tight on the outside of his rival, keeping Sirena Ligera uncomfortable racing hard on the rail as she continued to challenge the gelding. Colless had to push Tarrayoukhan all the way to the line to hold off the stubborn effort of Sirena Ligera, who became unbalanced and struck the running rail close to the line. She was already a beaten horse when that incident occurred.

This was Tarrayoukhna’s second successive victory and his sixth win from twenty-four career starts. The win took his earnings past the $100000 mark.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lawrie Mayfield Smith: “Yeah, he’s probably looking for a bit further now the horse. He is starting to settle. You could never have done that with him before. I know Colless has got good hands etc, but he is probably improving the horse.

“I took him to Rocky and he ran last for the simple reason he was just pulling like a steam-train. I’m happy with his progress and the way he is learning to settle. I think he is still eligible for a Class 6 or two yet.”

Jockey Glen Colless: “Lawrie (Mayfield-Smith) left it to me. He was drawn that awkward gate - eight out of nine - I just slid across. The tempo was very ordinary, but he settled very good. I said to Lawrie, he just put his head down on his chest and went about his business. He did a good job!”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tarrayoukyan): 3.00 out to 3.20 in to 2.80.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
A. Pattillo, rider of Our Scooby Doo, which performed below expectations, explained the gelding was inclined to lay in throughout the race and did not feel comfortable in its action when placed under pressure in the straight. A post race veterinary examination of failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

J. Byrne, rider of Lucky Toss, which also performed below expectations and settled at the rear of the field, explained that the mare was not suited by the tempo of today's race, which was slow in the middle stages. He added that he was a little disappointed with the finishing effort of Lucky Toss in the home straight. A post race veterinary examination of Lucky Toss failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.