SCST OCT 18 - DIAGO SCORES FIRST-UP FOR BIRCHLEY

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sunshine Coast, October 18, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 8m.
Maiden Plate (Set Weights) - 1200m: Time: 1-12.78.
1 Diago; 2 Sky Traveller; 3 Ms Mickdandee.

The four-year-old Carnegie gelding Diago ($9.00) scored a hard-fought first up win when just getting the better of Sky Traveller by the narrowest of margins (a nose) in a spirited two-way go to the line where no favours were asked for or given in a stride for stride battle over the concluding stages.

Both of these runners were resuming here. Diago, who was having only his second race start, was in action for the first time in eight months and his effort represented a vast improvement from his lack-lustre debut performance. Diago had been gelded since that run as had Sky Traveller, who went off as second favourite at $3.60.

The $2.20 main fancy Ms Mickandee finished third 2.40 lengths behind the winner without ever threatening the result.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Stathi Katsidis: “Liam (Birchley) said this horse goes good. It had one start for another trainer (when finishing last at Gatton back in February 09). Liam said once they gelded it, it was a heaps better horse.

“I sort have had to go back a little bit from the wide draw, but I ended up finding a really nice spot. He travelled through them like an alright horse, but he was sort of off the bit. When I asked him to do something though he responded and sprinted quickly. He won really nice. I was very pleased with the effort.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Empezar (M. Radecker), which began awkwardly, was then tightened for room and lost ground shortly after the start between Touch Of Spice (M. Hughes), which began awkwardly, and Spanish Sun (C. McIver), which was taken in by Ms Mickdandee (D. Browne).

Abruzzi Spur (C. Reith) began awkwardly and shifted in at the start, making contact with Shelaq (K. Wharton). Spanish Sun (C. McIver) raced ungenerously and laid out in the early and middle stages and shifted wider rounding the home turn. Trainer D. Bougoure was advised that a warning was being placed on Spanish Sun regarding its racing manners. A post-race veterinary examination of Spanish Sun failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Moschata (L. Appo) raced wide for the majority of the event.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of Diago, Mr B. Berwick, stable representative for trainer L. Birchley, stated it was the gelding's first start for the stable today, however the horse had pleased the trainer in its work and jump-outs leading up to today's race. The explanation was noted.