DOOM JAN 26 - ANOTHER TAKEOVER SURGES TO VICTORY

By Graham Potter | Thursday, January 28, 2010

Doomben, January 26, 2010.
Track - Good 2. Rail - out 0.5m.
Class 6 Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-09.61. (Carrying 56.5kg).
1 Another Takeover; 2 Three Swallows; 3 Royalaz.

Trainer David Kelly, fresh from a double success with Bugsytwoshoes and Georgio at Eagle Farm in the previous metropolitan meeting, added Another Takeover’s name to his list of recent winners when the gelding scored a finely measured victory to claim his sixth career success.

Another Takeover jumped from pole position and he landed in the leading line. Jockey Joe Bowditch then took him back to second, then third on the rail where the five-year-old got the run of the race behind Three Swallows and Pit Lane.

Another Takeover turned for home in third, still hugging the rail, a little over a length-and-a-half behind Three Swallows. As Another Takeover edged past Pit Lane and angled out for a run, Three Swallows found a kick early in the straight and the front-runner held a two length advantage over the chasing Another Takeover at the 200m mark.

Another Takeover’s challenge began to build though and Bowditch brought the gelding with a measured hands-and-heels finish to get the better of Three Swallows in the concluding stages. The winning margin was a neck.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Kelly: “For a moment there I thought he was going to get second again. (Another takeover had finished second in two out of his last three starts). I just saw the other horse kick and I’ve seen him run so many seconds, but he found the extra this time.

“He had reasons for those second placings. He’s just drawn bad and, you know, he had to get back in those races. He would always just get beat through having to get back and having to go around them.

“Today he had all the luck in the world. Joey (Bowditch) rode him perfect and it’s just good to get a win on board.

“Yeah, you know, on his day this horse can break 33. His last two starts here, when he ran second, he broke 33. He ran home in 32-something. He was travelling really easy coming to the corner and, yeah, he let down nicely.

“He’ll go for a spell now. He’s just going to have a little bit of a break.”

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “The race was run pretty slowly early. There wasn’t a lot of speed in the race which was the reason he took up a little bit closer spot than normal.

“The horse travelled nice and they did dash home the last 600. I landed in front and, for a couple of strides there the thought sort of crossed my mind to lead with him. Just from memory, I don’t think the horse has ever led. He just doesn’t seem the type to lead and kick as strongly as when he has got something to chase.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Another Takeover): 3.00 out to 3.30 in to 3.10.
Favourite (Royalaz): 3.00 in to 2.60 out to 2.80. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when Embracing broke through the barriers and galloped a short distance. A veterinary examination of Embracing passed the horse fit to start.

Royalaz (L. Cassidy) began awkwardly. Leaving the 600m Royalaz shifted out forcing Release Me (J. Byrne) wider on the track. L. Cassidy reported that in his opinion Royalaz had resented today's addition of a bit lifter.