EF DEC 19 - SEESAWING OUTCLASSES HER RIVALS

By Graham Potter | Monday, December 21, 2009

Doomben, December 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 3m.
Class 6 Handicap - 1615m. Time: 1-35.41.
1 Seesawing; 2 Currumbin Rock; 3 Raincoat.

The Kelly Schweida trained Seesawing underlined the fact that she is a horse on the move by scoring an authoritative victory to make it three wins from her last four starts.

Jockey Jim Byrne settled the four-year-old in midfield early on the fence on the back of a useful speed set by Really Wicked. Byrne was then looking to get out for a run approaching the turn, but that move was almost stymied by the presence of Currumbin Rock, who had kept the mare company throughout along her outside.

For a moment Seesawing was in danger of being caught in restricted galloping room but, under Byrne’s urging, she found the determination and the muscle to shift Currumbin Rock out wider on the track and make her own way into clear running where she cornered five wide on straightening.

The clear run was all Seesawing needed to be able to assert her superiority. She immediately set about reeling in the leaders with meaning and she got to the front with a whole 120m to spare before emphasising her dominance by stretching the winning margin to two lengths over the never say die Currumbin Rock who had kept chasing well enough to claim second place.

Seesawing’s liking for the test set by this track and distance is clear. She has now won five out of seven over the 1615m at Doomben, but she looks to be on her way to being a far more complete racehorse than just a particular track and distance specialist and she should get the chance to prove that in the near future.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “Everything’s good. We changed tack. We were going to go in the 2000m race, but then when we had a look at the weights we decided to switch and go back to the mile ... a couple of high rated horses pushed us down the weights ... and it worked out alright. She is a tough little horse.

“He (Jim Byrne) rides her so well. He is made for her and he has openly said, he loves here. He rides her super. I was a bit worried when she was on the fence, but he just knows her so well.

“Her next start is in three weeks. It’s the 1800m race at the Gold Coast.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “You know what, she is really starting to prime for the Gold Coast. I think it’s going to be really ideal for her once you step her up over the 1800 ... 2000m.

“She’s doing everything right in her races. She relaxes. She goes forward when you need her to ... yeah, she’s pretty push-button, so I’m very pleased with her.

“Yeah, she has won five out of seven over this track and distance. I’ll tell you something. She probably shouldn’t have been beaten. She probably should have really won all those. Like I said she does everything right.

“I rode her in the Derby last year and it was a really wet track. I came back in and said, this horse never handled the track, but trust me, it was still an alright run in a very good field. I think she’s got a lot more to come yet.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Seesawing): 4.00 in to 3.70.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Uncle Jan (M. Speers) reared as the gates opened and lost ground.

How Brave (C. Reith) and Uncle Jan (M. Speers) were unable to secure clear running over the concluding stages of the race. Bugsytwoshoes (J. Holder) raced wide for the majority of the event.

Mr T. Bailey, trainer of Red Amigo, which performed disappointingly, advised stewards that the horse would now be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of Red Amigo failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

A post-race veterinary examination of Athenas Gift failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.