IPSW DEC 10 - BIG DEBUT WIN FOR MA BONNE ANNEE

By Graham Potter | Saturday, December 12, 2009

Ipswich, December 10, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Maiden Handicap (3yo and up) - 1015m. Time: 59.79.
1 Ma Bonne Annee; 2 Ramani; 3 Our Lexas Lad.

The Lenny Wheeler trained Ma Bonne Annee was backed in from 5.50 to 2.70 here and those who took that punt never had a moment’s worry as the four-year-old dictated the tempo of the race from the front in the early part before pulling away from his rivals with contemptuous ease in the home straight to win by a widening 4.30 lengths without ever being tested.

When that test comes we will know more about Ma Bonne Annee’s prowess but, for now, irrespective of the limited quality of the opposition that he beat here, Ma Bonne Annee has kick-started his career with a big win.

The stable’s joy at gaining a good result was tempered by the fact that Ma Bonne Annee bled from the near side nostril and he be required to gallop over 1000m in the presence of a steward before being permitted to race again.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lennie Wheeler: “He is a very good horse. He is probably the best horse I’ve ever put a saddle on. He could work with anything this horse. Yeah, I’ve got to say, he is the best horse I’ve ever put a saddle on.

Jockey Luke Rolls: “I’d trialed the horse and I knew his ability. It was just too easy.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Ma Bonne Annee): 4.20 out to 5.50 in to 2.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stately World (M. Heagney) had to be steadied when tightened for room at the start by Cubby House (J. Byrne), which shifted out. After travelling a short distance, Pins Of Fury (M. Palmer) commenced to buck and took no further part in the race. Trainer B. Robinson was advised that the gelding must compete satisfactorily in an official trial before racing again.

Pedal Pusher (M. Cahill) raced three wide without cover throughout. Ma Bonne Annee (L. Rolls) shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.

Lord Theodore (L. Cassidy) was inclined to hang in in the early stages of the straight and when corrected by its rider approaching the 200m, the gelding became unbalanced and lost ground. Lord Theodore continued to hang in for the remainder of the race, and L. Cassidy was unable to ride the gelding out in his normal manner.

Following the race, Ma Bonne Annee had small traces of blood in its near-side nostril.

Upon arrival back at trainer L. Wheeler's stables, his veterinary surgeon performed an endoscopic examination on the horse, which confirmed that it had bled from the near-side nostril.

L. Wheeler was advised Ma Bonne Annee would be required to gallop over 1000m in the presence of a steward before being permitted to race again.