DOOM OCT 24 - BLACKWOODS CHOICE UNDERLINES HIS POTENTIAL

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Doomben, October 24, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Class 6 Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.30.
1 Blackwoods Choice; 2 Another Takeover; 3 Come Said The Boy.

The Rex Lipp trained Blackswood Choice turned in a thoroughly professional performance under a confident ride by jockey Jim Byrne to underline his potential by grabbing his fifth win from only eleven starts.

Ridden off the speed, Blackwoods Choice turned for home in eighth place some four to five lengths off the leader. Sent about his business early in the straight, Blackwoods Choice gradually made up ground to join issue with a wall of contenders striving to find that winning edge.

Four runners were left standing inside the final 100m. Soulima and Come Said The Boy were locked in a stride for stride battle along the inside, Blackwoods Choice was making his play down the centre of the track and Another Heart was closing up quickly along the outside. There was no quarter asked or given in the final chase to the line and it was Blackwoods Choice who put his head in front when it mattered most to claim a narrow win as less than half-a-length separated the first four runners across the line.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Rex Lipp: “Look, the other day (when second to Zaha s Pride) there was no pace in the race. It was just set up for the horses running out in front. He did well enough to get second. The time they ran you would have to be Takeover Target, or something, to run them down, you know.

“Today there was plenty of pace on. Everything was right and he’s come to the line good. He’s had four or five runs now. It’s my first preparation with the horse. He had fourteen or fifteen months whatever off in the paddock with a tendon problem. We’ve taken him along quietly ... gradually built him up.

“We’ve spoken about the fact that the pace didn’t suit him the other day, but I still think he might have been a touch under-done. I know he won the race before that, but it was in weaker company.

"Last time there were some pretty smart horses and I thought he could have been just a little bit fitter. He was definitely fitter today and it’s taken a few runs for the horse to come right.

He’ll get over further too. I might even back him up next week over 1350m or he might go for a quick spell. I haven’t talked to the owners about it yet.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “He likes to find his feet and then finish the race off. The other day Zahas Pride got such a soft lead with all of the speed taken out of the race with the scratchings ... it just basically was a farcical race. Today there was a lot more speed in the race. It was always going to be a genuinely run race. It was a good win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Blackwoods Choice): 5.00 out to 6.00.
Favourite (Zahas Pride) 3.50 out to 3.70. Finished seventh.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Monashee Warrior (R. Wiggins) and Esprit Lad (L. Cassidy) were tightened for room on jumping away between Charter Boat (B. Pengelly) and Zahas Pride (M. Hellyer), which shifted out on jumping away.

Near the 100m, Charter Boat (B. Pengelly) had to be steadied when it improved up on to the heels of Blackwoods Choice (J. Byrne). B. Pengelly again had to take hold of his mount near the finish line when unable to obtain clear running. Laurels (B. Stewart) was held up over the concluding stages.

Another takeover (P. Hammersley) was forced to race very wide rounding the home turn. Esprit Lad, Main Vein (G. Colless) and Monashee Warrior raced wide for the majority of the race.

R. Wiggins, rider of Monashee Warrior, reported that he had been instructed to position the horse midfield today however he was forced to settle in a position further back than he would have liked in order to obtain cover. R. Wiggins added that he obtained a position three wide behind Main Vein and the horse travelled well. R. Wiggins further added that rounding the home turn he was forced to take hold of Monashee Warrior to avoid the heels of the tiring Main Vein and shift very wide on the track. R. Wiggins stated Monashee Warrior finished the race off well and would be improved by the run.

Main Vein compounded rounding the home turn and was retired from the race near the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination of Main Vein revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils, and connections were advised that the horse would be barred from racing for a period of three months.

M. Hellyer, rider of Zahas Pride, explained that whilst the horse was not the best to begin he was able to take up its customary position in the lead and the horse travelled well through the early and middle stages of the race. He added that Zahas Pride accelerated for a short distance in the early stages of the straight, however proved disappointing over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of Zahas Pride failed to reveal any significant abnormalities