EF NOV 28 - CURRUMBIN ROCK SCORES SMART WIN

By Matthew Grimson and Graham Potter | Sunday, November 29, 2009

Eagle Farm, November 28, 2009.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 2.5m.
NMW Handicap - 1600m. Time: 1-34.09.
1 Currumbin Rock; 2 Bradfield; Channel Crossing.

The Les Kelly trained Currumbin Rock continued his fine run of form when he landed his second win from three starts this prep. The five-year-old had finished runner-up in his previous start, failing by just a short-neck to snare the useful Jasminka. This time he made no mistake under a well-judged ride from jockey Jason Taylor to beat the luckless Bradfield by a half-neck.

Taylor jumped Currumbin Rock out smartly enough but was then happy to settle his mount in midfield, two out without cover, as Red Amigo scorched away from General Purple at the head of affairs with Bradfield keeping a watching brief on the first two winners.

Currumbin Rock improved up to fourth place on straightening. As Bradfield went past General Purple and started to home in on Red Amigo, who was beginning to tire, Currumbin Rock started to build momentum from behind. Bradfield duly relieved Red Amigo of the lead, but no sooner had he gained that advantage then he in turn was shot down by the faster finishing Currumbin Rock who arrived with a perfectly time finish to claim his fifth career victory in his twentieth start.

The ever-consistent Bradfield has now finished in a minor placing in each of his last four starts when always fighting on fiercely. He deserves a change of fortune.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Les Kelly Jnr (spokesman for the Les Kelly stable): “Dad is a little bit off today so he chose to send me to the races. I brought the bickies home so it’s all good.

“We thought he had a real good chance last week. He did head that other horse (Jasminka), but I just think he was probably one run short. Given the benefit of a little bit of fitness from last week he stayed it right out today and he won well, I thought.

“Yeah, he’s won up to 1900m prior to us having him, but I think he is going to stretch right out to the 2000. He’s such a relaxed, quiet little horse that I don’t think he will have a problem running the trips. As you know, the longer they go ... probably a little bit easier they get as well. He is very quiet considering he is still a stallion.”

Jockey Jason Taylor: “Yeah, Dean Tanti (who rode the horse in his previous win) said to me the other day the horse has been absolutely flying. Little Les (Kelly Jnr) said the same thing. Last start it was a big run against a good horse and today he did the job. He backed up and it’s a hot day. All credit to the horse.

“He is very versatile. He’ll drop the bit when you let him and he’ll pick up and chase when you want. It was a good, strong, solid win.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Currumbin Rock): 3.40 out to 3.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
General Purple (A. Pattillo) raced wide in the early stages until pressing forward to take a position one off the fence near the 1000m. Esparanza (Matthew Palmer) raced fiercely in the early stages at the heels of Delago Pilli (L. Cassidy). Primeval Demand (P. Hammersley) hung out rounding the home turn.

Jockey R. Goltz, the rider of Channel Crossing, explained that he had anticipated positioning his mount midfield however from his wide barrier draw and due to the pace of the race in the early stages, he was obliged to settle Channel Crossing at the rear of the field. R. Goltz added that Channel Crossing was momentarily held up rounding the home turn until securing clear running in the early stages of the straight, at which stage the horse found the line strongly.

A post-race veterinary examination of Delago Phili failed to reveal any abnormalities.