DOOM OCT 24 - SWORD OF DAMOCLES STRIKES AGAIN

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Doomben, October 24, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
NMW Handicap - 1010m. Time: 57.71.
1 Sword Of Damocles; 2 Decibella; 3 General Secretary.

Racehorses don’t come more honest in their endeavours than the Jackie Crompton trained Sword Of Damocles. The five-year-old’s record now reads six wins from fifteen starts and he is two from two this prep with both of his recent wins being chalked up in typical gutsy fashion.

Regular pilot Tony Pattillo had Sword Of Damocles saving ground racing worse than midfield in the early part. Turning for home Sword Of Damocles was still back in seventh position on the inside. Racing four wide just in from of Sword Of Damocles was the well supported Decibella. Both of these winners made their forward moves soon after straightening.

Pattillo had the horse underneath him, but he was riding for luck. He shifted in on Sword Of Damocles in search of a split between runners, but that avenue seemed to be blocked when Fille De Neige moved out across his path. It was only when that runner shifted back in again that a run appeared between Fille De Niege and Equates that Sword Of Damocles was able to fully let down.

In the meantime Decibella had enjoyed a clear run down the centre of the track and had surged into the lead at the 100m mark looking a likely winner ... that is, until Sword Of Damocles’ competitive instincts kicked in. The latter bounded up to join issue with Decibella in a pressurised stride for stride battle to the line which was only decided in favour of Sword Of Damocles in the final few strides. The winning margin was a half-neck.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Tony Pattillo: “There was a bit of luck. The splits came just at the right time. (Trainer) Jackie (Crompton) has done a good job with the horse. She kept him nice and fresh after his first-up run (which resulted in a win at the Sunshine Coast).

“That was a good tough run, so they’ve done a good job to get him back ready for today’s run. Yeah, bigger things are on for him.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sword Of Damocles): 3.60 out to 4.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 800m, Little Raptor (C. McIver), which was racing ungenerously, had to be checked when shifting out across the heels of Grandiva (B. Stewart). Sword Of Damocles (A. Pattillo) laid out rounding the home turn.

Near the 200m, So Different (M. Hellyer) was tightened for room between Sword Of Damocles (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and The Crusader, which shifted in when tiring. Sword Of Damocles and Decibella (B. Pengelly) made contact nearing the winning post.

The Crusader (L. Cassidy), General Secretary (S. Katsidis) and Overanxious (J. Byrne) raced wide for the majority of the event.