DOOM DEC 09 - CHATEAU DE CAIX COMES OUT FIRING

By Matthew Grimson and Graham Potter | Friday, December 11, 2009

Doomben, December 9, 2009.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 11m.
Maiden Plate (3yo C & G - Set Weights) - 1040m. Time: 1-00.33.
1 Chateau De Caix; 2 San Leon; 3 Thunder Lane.

Jockey Brad Pengelly pushed the first-timer Chateau De Caix out of the barriers to try and make use of pole position, but with speed coming quickly around him from the outside, Chateau De Caix took a sit in fifth place on the rail.

Turning for home, the chestnut still held down fifth place, but Pengelly had now switched him two out, as he began to search for a way out of the congestion as runners packed up all around him. Another switch out early in the home straight gave Chateau De Caix some much needed galloping room and he almost immediately joined issue with San Leon, who was making his run wider out on the track.

Although there were still several runners with a chance, spread across the track, at the 200m, it was Chateau De Caix and San Leon who had the momentum and they joined issue in a cut and thrust final chase to the line where Chateau De Ciax got the decision by a short-half-head.

All honours to the winner for showing both ability and character on debut. San Leon was game in second and keep an eye on Thunder Lane, who flashed late to take out third place an eye-catching third placing.

WINNER FEEDBACK
Trainer Desleigh Forster: “I’ve always had a wrap on him. Just kept him, kept him ... looked after him. Just kept him away. He’s always gone good ... even when he was a two-year old, mate, he had always shown me a stack. We just looked after him.

“Scrivo (jockey Shane Scriven) has ridden him a few times in trials, but the horse didn’t get enough weight here so he couldn’t ride him. Brad (Pengelly) rides a lot for me so he got the ride because it was 56kg.

“We always had a bit of luck with the Dane Supremes. Andy (Pippos) and I had that grey horse Prince Vilhelm together. It’s good to pull off a nice race him. Andy and I will sit down and if and offer comes for him he is for sale, if it doesn’t he won’t be.”

Jockey Brad Pengelly: “Yeah, nice horse. Desleigh (Forster) expected him to race very well and he did that. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t improve. He showed a lot of natural ability. He’ll get better as time progresses no doubt.

“He did relax well. He was aided by a good barrier. He was able to be there and travel on the bit and then extend nicely.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Chateau De Caix): 5.00 in to 4.60.
Favourite (Retrospect): 2.40 out to 2.70. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
I Don't Remember (J. Holder) and Harley John (A. Spinks) were tightened for room on jumping away between My Mountain Man (S. Katsidis) and Zymurgy (J. Taylor), both of which shifted ground. In this incident, Harley John lost its rightful position. San Leon (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly.

Approaching the 900m, Retrospect (R. Goltz) and Fidakat (S. Richardson) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Thunder Lane (J. Wood) and Trombone Alley (M. Radecker), which shifted in. Fidakat then commenced to race ungenerously and did so until a point leaving the 700m.

R. Goltz, rider of Retrospect, reported that rounding the home turn he was hopeful of improving into a position to the inside of Chateau De Caix (B. Pengelly), however he was reluctant to do so as that horse was shifting its ground at that stage. R. Goltz added that upon straightening, he was able to take up that position, however was then held up behind Harvzee (L. Cassidy) and My Mountain Man, which resulted in him being unable to fully test Retrospect at any stage in the home straight.

Fidakat was momentarily held up for clear running near the 200m. San Leon (J. Byrne) and Harley John (A. Spinks) raced wide throughout.