IPSW OCT 22 - THE ROMAN CAME, SAW AND CONQUERED

By Graham Potter | Friday, October 23, 2009

Ipswich, October 22, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 2.5m
Class 1 Handicap (C, G & E) - 1200m. Time: 1-10.46.
1 The Roman; 2 Aqua Calda; 3 Conchenka.

The Dwayne Schmidt trained The Roman got the better of a tough two-way shootout with Aqua Calda, courtesy of a highly aggressive ride by apprentice Mitchell Wood, to score his second career win.

Wood took the big gelding to the lead early and he was kept company by Lindys Cross with Aqua Calda getting the run of the race, sitting just off the speed. As The Roman drifted marginally off the fence on the turn, Aqua Calda, who had been saving ground, accepted the gap that was offered on the rail and he surged forward to move up alongside The Roman.

These two runners dropped the rest of the field and had the race to themselves in the straight. The Roman was headed by Aqua Calda at the 150m, but the Dwayne Schmidt trained runner responded to a lot of persuasion from the saddle to come back and make it a head-bobber at the line where the decision came down in favour of The Roman by a nose.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Dwayne Schmidt: “Yeah, he’s a massive horse mate.” (Big enough to not be intimidated by the favourite, Rokatoko). “I’ve only had him for five runs, including today. He placed in three of his four starts last prep, but then I gave him a long spell (for nine months - from January until resuming here) because he has very bad feet and a little bit of tendon trouble.

“He only had one go on a good track for me. The rest were all wet. He’s not really a wet track horse. He was fresh today and he was suited to the going. He had plenty of fight in him in the finish because he wants a mile really, so he wasn’t going to stop.”

Apprentice jockey Mitchell Wood: “I ride the horse in his work so I knew what he could do. Coming to the top of the turn he wanted to run off a little bit. He had me a little bit worried, but when I asked for it he just kept giving everything. I knew the more I went for him, the more he gives. He just kept fighting on.”

“He’s placed over a mile. That’s probably where Mr. Schmidt is heading with him. That was a big effort ... eight and a half months off ... first-up ... 1200m. He did have the number one draw, but it wouldn’t matter wherever he draws because he is always good out of the gates. You can position him anywhere you want to really.

“It was just good that one outside us (Lindys Cross) went with us a little bit to fire him up. Travelled beautifully and when I let him down he gave me everything he had.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hotel Of The Stars (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Rama Kaho (K. Banks) reared at the start and lost ground. Canyouhearthebell (App J. Letherby) over-raced in the early and middle stages and passing the 800m had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Conchenka (A. Pattillo). Approaching the 600m Whims Of Fortune (K. Yoshida) improved up onto the heels of Dominus Lord (A. Spinks) and had to be eased. Hotel Of The Stars was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn. Rokatoko (S. Katsidis) raced three wide without cover throughout the event. Jockey S. Katsidis reported that Rokatoko raced greenly throughout.

App M. Wood the rider of The Roman was found guilty of a charge under the provisions of AR137A(4)(b) for extending his arm above his should when using the whip over the final 100m. App M. Wood was fined the sum of $200.00.