DOOM OCT 24 - SANDERSON SCORES COPYBOOK VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Doomben, October 24, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1615m. Time: 1-37.06.
1 Sanderson; 2 Dark Knight; 3 Silver Trump.

Sanderson, a lightly raced, grey three-year-old trained by Kelly Doughty, scored his second win from only six starts when taking out this 3yo QTIS Handicap event.

Jockey Jim Byrne had the colt well positioned in fourth spot early as the favourite Listen Son adopted his usual front-running role. It was always going to be a fair ask, even with his impressive form, for the main fancy to keep going with the steadying burden of 59kg and when Dusty’s Felt went up to annoy Listen Son in the sweep to the turn it made the Listen Son’s life that much more difficult. Byrne sensed the opportunity and he made a forward move of his own approaching the turn to swing three wide, just one length off the lead.

Let down, Sanderson took a little while to dispatch both Listen Son (who was the first to weaken) and Dusty’s Felt, but he did so and he was in front by the 150m with the race safely within his keeping. Dark Knight and Silver ran on well enough from behind to earn the minor share of the spoils, but at no stage did they get close enough to trouble the winner.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Doughty: “Look, last time, he had his first start back from just a couple of weeks off. Being a colt he did pretty well within himself. He’s got a lot of improvement to come. I’m very happy with him.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “Funnily enough, he was a little bit tardy out today, but it was always the plan to sit off them a little bit ... I should say, just sit in behind the speed. I knew there would be some sort of speed. Today with the extra run under his belt and something (Dusty’s Felt) taking the favourite (Listen Son) on, it definitely helped us. He did show a good turn of foot today as well which is very surprising because he normally grinds a bit, so that was very pleasing.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sanderson): 6.00 out to 7.00.
Favourite (Listen Son): 3.10 out to 3.30 in to 3.20.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Silver Trump (J. Taylor) was slow to begin. Titanium Rock (B. Pengelly) jumped away awkwardly. Near the 800m, Titanium Rock got its head up in the air and over-raced for a short distance.

Stewards sought an explanation from rider K. Banks in regards to the seemingly poor performance of Listen Son. K. Banks explained that the horse raced very strongly for the first 600m of the event and felt that this may have had an effect on its finishing effort. K. Banks further added that Listen Son had pleased in its track-work leading up to the event, however in her opinion the horse had come to the end of its preparation. Connections informed stewards that the horse would now be sent for an immediate spell.

Trainer M. Webb reported that in consideration of Titanium Rock’s performance today he would send the horse for a spell and recommend to the owners that it be gelded.

Stewards sought an explanation from rider R. McMahon in respect of the tactics he employed on Captain Clayton today, which resulted in the horse settling further back than anticipated. R. McMahon stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse from a rearward position as it had displayed a tendency at its most recent starts to over-race when ridden forward from the barriers. Stable representative for trainer Mr R. Heathcote confirmed the instructions. Stewards adjourned the matter to enable Mr Heathcote to be present. A post race veterinary examination Captain Clayton failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Subsequently, connections requested a further examination as the horse had been coughing and the veterinary surgeon reported that Captain Clayton was showing signs of the onset of a possible viral infection.

Stewards sought an explanation from P. Hammersley in regards to the performance of African Lion. P. Hammersley stated that the horse travelled comfortably just behind the leaders and approaching the home turn was momentarily impeded for clear running, however once he as able to put the horse into clear running it failed to respond to his riding and proved very disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of African Lion failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Stewards sought an explanation from jockey S. Katsidis regarding the tactics he employed on Dusty’s Felt today whereby the horse settled closer to the lead than it had at its most recent starts. S. Katsidis stated that, in his opinion, there was a distinct lack of speed in the race other than Listen Son, and he felt it was in the horse's best interests to have it positioned close to the lead if he did not have to unduly pressure Dusty’s Felt to be there. The explanation was noted.

More articles