EF JAN 23 - BUGSYTWOSHOES DANCES HOME

By Graham Potter | Monday, January 25, 2010

Eagle Farm, January 23, 2010
Track - good 2. Rail - out 2.5m.
2MW Last year Handicap - 1812m. Time: 1-47.80. (Carrying 53kg).
1 Bugsytwoshoes; 2 Woorim; 3 Regal Castanea.

The David Kelly trained Bugsytwoshoes hit his straps at Eagle Farm on Saturday to claim his fifth career win.

Settled in sixth spot on the rail, just better than midfield, Bugsytwoshoes continued to save ground until the turn. On straightening, jockey Jim Byrne wasted little time in setting Bugsytwoshoes alight.

The chestnut quickly made it clear he was taking no prisoners as he bullied his way past Regal Castanea before scorching past the leaders Rebounded and Palace Lover with all of 280m left to run to open up what would prove to be a winning lead.

Having seized the initiative, there was no let up from Bugsytwoshoes ... no dent in his commitment as he sustained his effort to the line. Woorim, who ran on from well off the speed, made up ground late, but he was still 1.30 lengths adrift of the hard-running winner at the line.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Kelly: “He’s just taken a long time to mature. Last time in he had a few issues, but this time in he is starting to race good again. The other week he got into trouble mid-race. I don’t know if he would have beaten the winner (Frozone, but he probably would have run second (not third).

“Today he just got that hassle-free run ... got the split and accelerated nicely. There was plenty of merit in the win. He let down really well. He’s just done well all week. That’s why I decided to back him up.

“I’ve got no real plans for him at the moment. I might bring him back in a couple of weeks for another 1800. If not, I might give him a short let-up. Bring him back for the winter."

Jockey Jim Byrne: “Basically, you know, we did no work early. They kind of gave them a little bit of a soft lead. A couple of them on the outside came across a little bit too soft. This bloke here normally gets back a little bit further than midfield ... or I should say around midfield ... but he was a bit closer today ... obviously from the good gate ... and I got a pretty good run through.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Bugsytwoshoes): 7.50 out to 8.00 in to 7.00.
Favourite (Woorim): 4.20 out to 4.60 in to 4.40.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Approaching the 300m, Bugsytwoshoes (J. Byrne) shifted out when endeavouring to secure clear running and in doing so made contact with Regal Castanea (J. Wood).

Stewards sought an explanation from G. Colless in respect of the performance of Jazz Heart. G. Colless stated that the horse had a tendency to over-race for a short distance in the early stages, however it settled well for him in the back straight in a good position one-out-and-one back. G. Colless added that he became concerned when he was unable to resist a move outwards from Regal Castanea when that horse shifted out to improve passing the 700m, and from this point forward Jazz Heart was under pressure and proved very disappointing over the concluding stages.

Trainer B. Guy stated that he asked G. Colless to position the horse in a handy position due to the apparent lack of speed in the race and expected the horse to finish off the race better than it did today. B. Guy added that he would advise stewards of any abnormality that becomes apparent which may have had a bearing on today's performance. A post race veterinary examination of Jazz Heart failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

A veterinary examination of Rebounded, which compounded over the concluding stages after leading, failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Trainer P. Duff reported that the horse did not seem to stretch out today on the firm surface and indicated that the gelding's best form had been on rain-affected tracks.

A post race veterinary examination of Iguazu revealed the horse had sustained a laceration to the off-fore fetlock. Trainer L. Mayfield-Smith indicated that the horse would now be sent for a spell.

A post race veterinary examination of Bugsytwoshoes revealed the horse to be lame in the off-foreleg. Trainer D. Kelly was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.