SCST OCT 25 - CHECK THE CHIPS TASTES VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sunshine Coast, October 25, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 8m.
Maiden Plate - 1400m (Set Weights). Time: 1-25.48.
1 Check The Chips; 2 Cotham; 3 Pegunny Hog.

Check The Chips won first-time out for his new stable, putting in a concentrated performance throughout to hold off the fast finishing favourite Cotham by just under half-a-length.

Jockey Jason Taylor pushed Check The Chips up into second placing soon after the start and the grey proceeded to hold his position just off the leader Pegunny Hog until the turn. During this time the main fancy Cotham was content to coast along at the rear of the field.

On straightening it became very much a two way contest as Pegunny Hog and Check The Chips kicked away from their nearest rivals. The Bradshaw trained runner moved alongside Pegunny Blue at the 200m mark and the six-year-old was in front by the 150m. Pengunny Hog did try to come back at Check The Chips, but the latter was not about to relinquish the advantage he had gained.

All the while Cotham had been building up a head of steam and he closed up quickly enough to claim second placing. It is easy to assume that Cotham was a ‘good thing’ beaten the way he finished, but it must be remembered that Cotham had been loafing while the two leaders had been hard at work from early on in the contest. Still the main fancy did well to come from a ‘hopeless’ position. He could well make amends next time out.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Bradshaw: “This is his first run for me. Yeah, I’ve only had the horse for a fortnight. He was fat when he came to me. I’ve really poured the work into him. The horse was very, very fat. We tightened him up and looked after him. We made a gear change ... put the blinkers on to make him concentrate ... and the proofs in the pudding.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Check The Chips): 6.00 out to 7.00.
Favourite (Cotham): 3.00 in to 2.70 out to 2.80. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Check The Chips (J. Taylor) jumped inwards at the start, making contact with Biscay's Best (A. Spinks). Shortly after the start, Frozen Time (J. Kropp) hung in, making contact with Marciana (M. Speers), which in turn shifted in, brushing Sir Knight (M. Hellyer).

Stalwart Jane (S. Holcombe), Biscays Best (A. Spinks), Black Katana (R. Wiggins) and Gruff (K. Wharton) raced wide for the majority of the event. Jockey A. Spinks reported that Biscays Best was inclined to hang in for the majority of the race.

When questioned regarding the riding tactics adopted on Cotham, S. Katsidis stated that the horse began well and was positioned back in the field, as is its normal racing pattern, however leaving the 600m was unable to improve behind the tiring Sir Knight (M. Hellyer) and as such was unable to progress forward at an important stage of the race. He added that he considered the option of shifting the horse wider on the track at this stage however was unable to do so due to him racing to the inside of the heels of Za Lovett. S. Katsidis further stated that, in his opinion, the horse would be better suited over longer distances. Stewards noted the explanation.