DOOM OCT 31 - TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR CAPTAIN SONADOR

By Graham Potter | Thursday, November 5, 2009

Doomben, October 31, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 2m.
3yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.47.
1 Captain Sonador; 2 Rokatoko; 3 Moama.

The Roger Milne trained Captain Sonador made it two in a row when he soundly outgunned the favourite Rokatoko to land a convincing victory.

Settled just worse than midfield on the rail early, Captain Sonador turned for home in sixth place still saving ground along the inside rail. Rokatoko was just ahead of Captain Sonador at that stage, well poised to make his challenge.

The main fancy scouted four wide on the turn and began a forward move while Captain Sonador also quickened nicely at the top of the straight. Jockey Kristy Banks weighed up her options for a number of strides before also shifting out around heels to get into clear running. That move brought Captain Sonador right alongside the intimidating presence of Rokatoko at the 200m mark.

Both runners were now in full cry after Moama who had taken over the lead from Origin Brave early in the straight. It looked like it could come down to a rousing three-way contest but, by the 100m mark Captain Sonador had already shaken off the challenge of Rokatoko and taken the measure of Moama and he went on strongly to the line to score in impressive fashion.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Roger Milne: “It always lovely just when they win ... never mind when they win two-in-a-row.

“We knew we would get back on the rails. I said just ride for luck. The only thing that was going to beat it was not getting a run. He put it in beautifully the last furlong. It was a very nice ride from Kristy (Banks).”

Jockey Kristy Banks: “Yeah, I was travelling that well I thought I’ve just got to get the runs and he would just win. The runs came and he just took them. I was never worried.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Captain Sonador): 9.00 out to 10.00.
Favourite (Rokatoko): 3.30 out to 3.70. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when Tierqualo proved very difficult to load. Fleet ‘N’ Fast (A. Pattillo) raced wide until a point leaving the 700m. Approaching the 100m, Fleet ‘N’ Fast (A. Pattillo) had to be steadied when Emma’s Heart (A. Spinks) shifted in under pressure. Swiss Rose (L. Cassidy) raced wide throughout.

When questioned, A. Spinks explained that he was disappointed with the effort of Emma’s Heart in that he secured a nice run midfield and afforded the horse a clear run in the early stages of the straight, however the filly failed to finish the race off. Trainer B. Brown explained that, in his opinion, the big weight, along with the fast last sectional, may have had a bearing on the performance.

Trainer K. Doughty was found guilty of a charge under AR135A, in that she failed to advise stewards that she instructed Jason Holder to ride Tierqualo back off the speed which was in contrast to its most recent start. Mrs K. Doughty was fined the sum of $200.