EF DEC 12 - ALVERTA IN A CLASS OF HER OWN

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Eagle Farm, December 12, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 1m.
Quality Handicap (Fillies & Mares - Listed) - 1300m. Time: 1-15.32.
1 Alverta; 2 Fuhrnatic; 3 La Zeel.

The Paul Messara trained Alverta caned her opposition here in spite of given weight all around (between 3kg and 6kg to all of her rivals). It was a faultless display which underlined the old adage that there is simply no substitute for class as Alverta’s four length winning margin, carrying 6kg more than the runner-up, aptly summed up the mare’s superior ability on the day.

The only hiccup came prior to the race when Alverta proved difficult to load at the barriers. Once the gates were sprung though, it was all smooth sailing for the quality chestnut.

Alverta landed in the leading line but jockey Shane Scriven was happy to let the early pacemakers go as he settled the six-year-old in fifth placing, a position the mare held until the turn. As the field straightened for home, Scriven brought Alverta out four wide into clear running. Once that trouble-free route home had been safely negotiated it was essentially ‘race over’ as Alverta had an easy romp into the lead, which she gained with 180m left to run, and an even easier race finish which saw her pull four lengths clear of the struggling chasers over the final 150m to complete a most impressive victory.

Alverta has now won six times and been placed on nine occasions in thirty starts.

WINNERS FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Messara: “Yeah, it was a super win ... 59kg is a big ask for any horse and she certainly delivered.

“She’ll race in two weeks over the road (at Doomben) ... I think it is the Bernborough. Then she’ll be put out for a spell and be brought back here for the winter.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “I was fortunate enough to be in Melbourne on Cup day. Because I’d ridden her (Alverta) before I paid particular attention to her run down there. It was super.” (Alverta finished two lengths being Strawberry Field)

“Coming up here against ... I suppose ... it was a good field, but lesser quality. You know you talking Melbourne Cup day down there. There are no slouches. She had that touch of class, but I was a bit surprised with the ease with which she won myself.

“Once we got her in the barriers ... ah geez, by the time we’d gone 100m I was pretty stoked. I know when I eased her out at the top of the straight she did go to sprint straight to the line. Sort of knowing that she’s only got a short, sharp dash I was sort of playing a few little jockey games there, but it does give you a good feeling to know that when you did push the ‘go’ button there was still going to be a few lengths there.

“It really was a case of just pushing buttons. She got into a lovely spot ... travelled well. She probably wanted to go a bit soon, but when I can get her to the furlong still on the bit it would have taken a special effort for anyone to get by me.

“You know, 59kg ... I daresay the time will be pretty slick itself. When we get those barrier manners sorted out ... I reckon we can. We’ll take that blindfold off her. She doesn’t need that. Apart from that she is a gem to ride.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Alverta): 4.60 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Visa Lisa): 3.00 out to 3.50. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when Alverta proved very difficult to load. Trainer P. Messara was advised that he would be required to provide two barrier certificates for Alverta prior to its next race start. Celestafy (S. Seamer) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground.

At the start, Feeline Flyer (J. Byrne) shifted in, taking Express Air (S. Katsidis) in on to Fuhrnatic (J. Bowditch), resulting in Lustre Lady (C. Reith) having to be steadied when tightened for room between that horse and Michelin Star (K. O'Hara).

Near the 1600m, Fasliyev (J. Holder) raced ungenerously and got its head in the air. Pertinence (K. Wharton) raced three deep throughout.

Stewards sought an explanation from L. Cassidy in respect of the performance of Visa Lisa. L. Cassidy stated that he was able to position the horse in a nice spot one off the fence, however during the middle stages of the race Visa Lisa over-raced and he felt that this had a major effect on the horse's capacity to finish the race off.

L. Cassidy further added that, in his opinion, the mare is better suited to rain affected tracks. A post race veterinary examination of Visa Lisa failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

Stewards questioned J. Holder regarding the performance of Fasliyev Dancer. J. Holder stated that the mare failed to show its customary speed in the early stages and he was compelled to ride the horse vigorously in order to hold a forward position.

J. Holder further added that whilst he was impeded for clear running for a short distance in the straight, the performance of Fasliyev Dancer nevertheless was very disappointing. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.