EF NOV 03 - DELTARARA WINS BATTLE OF THE ROUGHIES

By Graham Potter | Friday, November 6, 2009

Eagle Farm, November 3, 2009.
Track - Good 3, Rail - out 10m.
Class 3 Handicap (Fillies and Mares) - 1200m. Time: 1-11.72.
1 Deltarara; 2 Super Confident; 3 Paramount.

The ‘Bookmakers Benefit’ race at this meeting was Race 3 where two $12.00 chances - Deltarara and Super Confident - fought out the finish of a seven horse race.

Jockey Jason Holder attempted to land an end to end win aboard Super Confident. The mare led a relatively compact field until the turn and she kicked on well early in the straight to drop Paramount who was on her heels on straightening.

Deltarara had matched Super Confident’s forward move and, with the two main fancies Ashlee’s Jewel and Sharufa surrendering without firing a shot, Deltarara and Super Confident joined issue in a private, pressurised battle over the final 150m. It was still a head-bobber on the line where the decision came down in favour of Deltarara by a nose.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Paul Hammersley: “She was always travelling pretty sweet around the corner. They didn’t go all that quick in the run. She was always going to fight it out with the leader in the finish. We just got our momentum up and she did enough to hold her (Super Confident) off. She was just that bit too strong. “

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Deltarara): 10.00 out to 12.00.
Favourite (Ashlee’s Jewel): 2.00 out to 2.20. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Ashlee’s Jewel (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly and faltered shortly after the start. Taj Paru (B. El-Issa) raced wide in the early stages.

L. Cassidy reported to stewards that the pace of the race in the early stages did not suit Ashlee’s Jewel, and whilst on face value the run may have appeared disappointing, he was quite satisfied with the way the mare finished the race off. A post race veterinary examination of Ashlee’s Jewel failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Stewards sought an explanation from M. Hellyer, rider of Sharufa, in respect of the mare's performance today. M. Hellyer explained that the horse travelled well and although he was unable to obtain a clear run in the early stages of the straight, once he had Sharufa into the clear she failed to respond to his riding and proved very disappointing.

Trainer Mr B Guy stated that he could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of Sharufa, however added that the mare had historically failed to perform at this track. A post race veterinary examination of Sharufa failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Stewards also sought an explanation from trainer S. Watters regarding the seemingly improved performance of Deltarara today. Mr Watters explained that, in his opinion, Deltarara failed to run out the 1640m of its last start, adding that the mare was able to take up a forward position today in a slowly run race, which also assisted in its performance today.