SCST NOV 15 - SIONG TEE LANDS STIRRING VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sunshine Coast, November 15, 2009
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Class 6 Plate (Set Weights) - 2200m. Time: 2-16.56.
1 Siong Tee; 2 Prince Telesto; 3 Rockaria.

Trainer Jackie Crompton is fast establishing a well-earned reputation for turning her horses out in fighting trim. Sword Of Damocles has won three-in-a-row and only one of those wins have been achieved by more than a 0,20 length winning margin. The others were toe-to-toe battles in which the gelding had to call on every bit of his ability and strength of character to gain the result.

It seems those fighting qualities are a hallmark of the stable runners. Siong Tee provided another example of a horse turned out hard and ready to go the extra mile in terms of commitment.

The chestnut appeared to be beaten halfway up the straight as the front-runner Prince Telesto kept on kicking and the favourite Rocktaria loomed up menacingly on the outside of Siong Tee. But it was the main fancy Rocktaria who was the first to cry enough and it was Siong Tee who rallied to go after Prince Telesto.

Getting to the leader was one thing. Getting past the leader was another test all in itself. So it was that Prince Telesto and Siong Tee became embroiled in a pressurised stride for stride battle over the final 100m. The duel was a credit to the fighting qualities of both runners and the result came down to a head-bobber on the line where Siong Tee got the decision by a nose.

Credit too to jockey Tony Pattillo. The rider, who has been a regular on Sword Of Damocles, clearly has an understanding of the way Crompton prepares her horses and he has the experience and expertise to give these horses the type of ride which complements their strengths.

One partnership just beat another good partnership. Jockey Jim Byrne had ridden the runner-up Prince Telesto on three previous occasions for three wins. This loss by a nose here ended that winning sequence, but there was certainly honour in defeat.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Jackie Crompton: “Yeah, he was fiddling with his bit a little bit, so we thought we’d try the tongue-tie. He seemed to settle a little better in his work with it on, so we’d thought we’d try it today in his race. I thought he was going to run third at one stage, but he just kept fighting.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Siong Tee): 4.40 out to 4.60.
Favourite (Rockaria): 3.30 out to 3.50. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The connections of La Marianne informed stewards they intended to ride the horse in a more forward position today if circumstances permit. Near the 800m, Rockaria (L. Cassidy) shifted in and made heavy contact with the running rail.