CAUL JAN 09 - BLACK TYPE FOR BELTROIS

By Scott Gooley | Monday, January 11, 2010

The four year old mare Beltrois made amends for a narrow defeat in the Standish Handicap on New Year’s Day by scoring a narrow victory at Caulfield in the Listed L T Cleary Stakes (1200m).

With regular jockey Glen Boss riding at the Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast, trainer Robbie Griffiths secured Luke Currie for the ride.

Settling down, Currie had Beltrios (favourite at 5-2) fourth on the fence behind leading pair Going Spending and Miss Matari, both of whom had crossed from wide gates.

On the home turn, Miss Matari, racing on the outside of Gone Spending, ran wide and Currie seized the opportunity to pilot Beltrois through the gap and the Bel Esprit mare looked set for a comfortable victory.

However, Beltrios needed every metre of the Caulfield straight to get past Going Spending (20-1) who fought on tenaciously and produced a career best effort.

On the line, only half a head separated the two with three lengths to Miss Matari (10-1) who held on for third.

It was Beltrois’ fifth career win from only twelve starts and the first prize of $60,500.00 now takes her career earnings to over $270,000.00.

STARTING PRICES:
Beltrios 3.50; Going Spending 21.00; Miss Matari 11.00; Diplomatic Force 14.00.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Acting on a report from members of the Compliance Assurance Team that during a routine race morning visit at trainer Mr D Weir’s stables at Ballarat it was ascertained that Time Matters was not at the stables.

On further investigations it was established that Time Matters had been shifted to trainer Mr J McLean’s stables at Warrnambool after having pulled up a little sore after being worked last Tuesday morning January 5.

Ms L Bibby representing Mr Weir advised Stewards that it was an oversight on her behalf in that Time Matters was not running at today’s meeting and she had failed to scratch the gelding by the prescribed time. Subsequently Stewards ordered the late withdrawal of Time Matters at 9.10am and after having interviewed trainer Mr J McLean at Caulfield racecourse the matter has been adjourned to a date to be fixed in which time Mr Weir can give evidence as he is currently on the Gold Coast.

On jumping away Beltrois and Divine Rebel bumped. Tears I Cry was slow to begin. Mind Your Head, which was racing in restricted room, got its head up when being restrained for some distance passing the 700m. Diplomatic Force layed in under pressure in the straight.

D Dunn reported at scale that he was disappointed in Chairmanoftheboard’s efforts finishing off the race particularly when the gelding had a nice trail behind the leaders.

After the running of the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Miewa’s Quest bled from one nostril. Trainer Mr M Burles was advised that under the rules the gelding must gallop over 1000m to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to being permitted to start again.