IPSW NOV 17 - FACE THE FRONT IN LAST GASP VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ipswich, November 17, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 9m 1600-1200; - out 10m 1200-finish.
Maiden Handicap - 1710m. Time: 1-47.66.
1 Face The Front; 2 King Capo; 3 Suite Lioness.

The Bevan Laming trained Face The Front produced a finely timed finish under a determined ride from jockey Jim Byrne to snare King Capo in the shadow of the post to score by a nose.

Byrne rode the gelding back in the field in the early part, conserving energy until the home turn where he asked the three-year-old to push forward and chase the leaders. Halfway up the straight there were still runners, King Capo and Suite Lioness, in front of him trying to spoil his part and King Capo almost did just that, but Face The Front put his nose out on the line to claim his first victory in his sixth career start.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jim Byrne: “It was a bit unlucky the other day. It never really had much luck. I spoke to (trainer) Bevan (Laming) this morning and he asked me to ride the horse quiet and to give the horse every opportunity to finish the race off. Thankfully he did.

“He’s probably going to get over a bit further too. The time wasn’t quick. They didn’t go that fast, but I think the further the horse goes the better he will be ... you know, 2000m ... maybe 2100.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Face The Front): 3.80 out to 4.20.
Equal favourite (King Capo): 4.20 in to 4.00. Finished second.
Equal favourite (Pacelli): 3.80 out to 4.00. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Apepi, which was involved in a traffic accident when being transported to the track, was examined by the veterinary surgeon and found to have minor abrasions to its near-hind leg. Apepi was cleared to start.

Trainer M. Guldbransen advised that it was his intention to have Bear'sagun ridden forward today, which is in contrast to its most recent starts. An announcement was made to this effect prior to race one. Bear'sagun was subsequently ridden accordingly.

Trainer T. Gollan advised that he would instruct the rider to attempt to ride Suite Lioness midfield with cover. An announcement was made to this effect prior to race one. Suite Lioness was subsequently ridden accordingly.

The saddle on Bent Penny shifted forward shortly after the start, placing jockey J. Murphy at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. Apepi (B. Wallace) stood flatfooted at the start and lost considerable ground. Trainer V. Heading was advised that he would be required to provide two barrier certificates for Apepi before racing again. Punctilio (M. Hellyer) was inclined to hang out rounding the turn near the 1200m.

After passing the 1000m, Pacelli commenced to over-race and had to be restrained off the heels of King Capo (J. Holder). Wild Wide Rose (P. Wolfgram), which was following, was inconvenienced and shifted wider on the track and then raced three wide for the remainder of the event.

Approaching and rounding the home turn, Suite Lioness (K. Banks) was held up when unable to improve and at the entrance to the straight shifted out, taking Apepi out on to Pacelli (S. Katsidis), which was inconvenienced. Flash Juliet (M. Speers) was inclined to hang out when placed under pressure over the final 300m.

Apprentice B. Wallace was questioned regarding the riding tactics he adopted on Apepi when after the gelding stood flatfooted at the start and lost considerable ground he elected to improve around the field from the 1300m to race three wide outside the leaders from the 900m.

Apprentice Wallace explained that after losing considerable ground at the start, rather than restrain, he decided to improve from the 1300m as he was of the view that this was in the best interests of the gelding. Apprentice Wallace conceded that in hindsight it would have been a better option to restrain Apepi and obtain cover trailing Face The Front rounding the first turn.

Trainer V. Heading advised that he had instructed B. Wallace to obtain cover midfield and attempt to improve from the 800m.

Stewards advised apprentice Wallace that his ride lacked judgement and although they acknowledged his inexperience in race riding, they advised apprentice Wallace he would be referred to the Apprentice Skills Panel with a recommendation from the stewards that he gain greater experience at non TAB racing meetings in the immediate future.