SCST NOV 15 - FELINE FLYER JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sunshine Coast, November 15, 2009
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Class 5 Handicap - 1000m. Time: 57.52.
1 Feline Flyer; 2 Serunai; 3 Slugsbrothernugget.

Trainer Gillian Heinrich’s fifth and final winner of the weekend came in the form of Feline Flyer who cruised in second-up after a four month layoff to land her fifth win from thirteen starts.

Heinrich has never been shy to test the mare and her results in a host of competitive line-up’s highlight her prowess.

In January Feline Flyer raced in the Magic Millions 3yo Trophy over 1400m where she finished a close-up fifth behind the likes of Tempest Tost and Rock Kingdom. The mare was spelled after that and returned in May to finish fourth in the Group 3, Gold Coast Guineas, less than two lengths behind the very smart Chakvetadze. Next time out it was another Group 3 contest. This time it was the BTC Classic and, although Feline Flyer only finished in ninth position, she again was only two lengths off the well-performed Court who took the honours on the day.

Feline Flyer had one more run that prep without success before being tipped out again, but that run of results stands to her credit in terms of past performances as well as posting a warning for possible future success.

Feline Flyer finished second first-up this prep and she has now put a win on the board in her second start back over a distance jockey Stathi Katsidis claims doesn’t suit her. Feline Flyer could just be scratching the surface as far as realising her potential is concerned. She is one to watch!

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Stathi Katsidis: “It was a very good win. It was off the bit in the run. Obviously 1000m doesn’t suit it. Gillian (Heinrich) has got a 1200m race picked out for it shortly, which will be well and truly suitable. She’s flying the horse, so whatever Gillian does with it could end up good.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Feline Flyer): 3.10 out to 3.20 in to 2.80.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Apprentice S. Guymer replaced T. Chambers on Karalius when T. Chambers was stood down by the club's doctor after being ill when arriving on course.

Star Of Minto (L. Cassidy), which jumped in the air at the start, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Liger (M. Hellyer) and Slugsbrothernugget (M. Palmer), which was taken out by Final Crunch (K. Cross). Feline Flyer (S. Katsidis) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Serunai (J. Byrne).

Shortly after the start, Feline Flyer, which had been inclined to lay in, tightened Serunai (J. Byrne) in on to Mona Star (M. Radecker). A short distance later, Serunai then shifted in away from Feline Flyer (S. Katsidis), forcing Mona Star in on to Karalius (S. Guymer), which in turn was taken in on to Sadliers Crossing (V. Schubert), forcing that horse in on to Heartsun (D. Browne), which had to be steadied away from the heels of Brain Explosion (K. Wharton). S. Katsidis, rider of Feline Flyer, was instructed to make greater efforts to straighten his mounts sooner than he did on this occasion in similar circumstances in future.