SCST DEC 20 - JENELLE WINS ON DEBUT

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sunshine Coast, December 20, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 3m.
2yo QTIS Maiden Handicap - 1000m. Time: 59.81.
1 Jenelle; 2 Funky Lady; 3 Danewin Girl.

Trainer Bryan Guy completed a race-to-race double early on the card when the first-timer Jenelle proved too good for her opposition.

Jenelle landed in the leading line and, without being chased, she got to a narrow lead early while held three wide around Strong Show and the favourite Gentle Giant. These three runners kept each other company until the turn. On straightening Jenelle, who was racing green, lost her way for a moment, which allowed Strong Show to briefly hold the lead on the inside rail, but once jockey Stathi Katsidis got Jenelle balanced again, the filly raced to the lead and gradually pulled away from Strong Show and Gentle Giant, who ultimately both weakened to finish out of the placings.

Funky Lady emerged as the only real threat to the winner when producing a determined finishing effort, but Jenelle always had that move covered. Katsidis did bring some insurance into play by given Jenelle a couple of reminders late in the running when Funky Lady threatened to get too close, but that was just a precautionary measure as Jenelle controlled things to the line.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “She went through the Magic Millions sales. We knew that we wouldn’t have her ready for probably the main two-year-old race, but after that she’ll get prize-money and I’ll run her in the consolation.

“She did it hard today. She knew nothing about it. She was out wide. I told him (Stathi Katsidid) to be back off the pace, but she jumped that well she was there, you know.

“She might be hard to beat in the consolation. I’ve been working her with older horse and she’s been beating them on the track"

Jockey Stathi Katsidis: “She just won on natural ability today. Like she was three deep on probably the better part of the track, as it has been here for the last few weeks ... probably out near the crown.

“She did it on raw ability like I said. She just wanted to go. I just had to hold her up enough so she could get to the line. There is a lot of improvement in her because she had no idea what she was doing today. It’s always nice when they can win first time up.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Gentle Giant (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Colour Blue (M. Palmer) jumped away awkwardly and made contact with Mystic Dragon (D. Gill).

Leaving the 900m, Colour Blue (M. Palmer) was tightened for room by Mystic Dragon (D. Gill), which shifted in when not fully clear. D. Gill, rider of Mystic Dragon, was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in future.

After passing the 800m, Spaced Out (G. Geran) hung out badly, resulting in Magic Mover (D. Griffin), which was following, being hampered and forced wider on the track. Spaced Out continued to hang out for some distance. Trainer R. Ludwig indicated that Spaced Out would now be spelled, and he was advised that the colt would be required to trial to the stewards' satisfaction prior to its next race start.

Funky Lady (R. Wiggins) hung in when placed under pressure in the home straight. C. Reith, rider of Gentle Giant, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the finish of the race.