CAUL FEB 06 - PSYCHOLOGIST HAS ALL THE ANSWERS

By Scott Gooley | Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Caulfield, February 6, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Blue Diamond Prelude (Group 3 - 2yo Fillies) - 1100m. Time: 1-02:67. (Carrying 55.5kg).
1 Psychologist; 2 She’s Got Gear's; 3 Jalsah.

Debutant Psychologist burst onto the racing scene with an impressive four and half length win in the Arrowfield Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield on Saturday.

The daughter of Choisir gave her seven rivals a galloping lesson and she has now been posted as a clear second favourite for the Blue Diamond in a fortnight’s time.

Jumping from the centre of the field, Psychologist showed good early speed and went straight to the lead, establishing a two length advantage after 300m.

Travelling comfortably for her jockey Mark Zahra on the point of the turn, Psychologist still held a length advantage over her immediate challengers, Malburn and Panipique.

That would be as close as the chasers would get to the Tony Vasil trained filly.

Inside the final furlong, Psychologist had skipped away to a three length lead and at the 100m mark, just to keep her mind on the job, Zahra gave her a three back-handed taps with the whip.

She’s Got Gears ($5.50) ran home well from the tail of the field with Jalsah ($11.00). They finished second and third respectively.

Despite launching her career in a Group Three event, the style of victory didn’t come as a total surprise to Vasil.

“I would’ve been going to a Seymour two year old maiden if I didn’t think we could win.”

“I sat on her Tuesday and just went wow!”

“That was enough to convince me to go this way. She’s always shown good ability and as the last three or four weeks have unfolded, she’s just got better and better and better.”

Zahra was also full praise for the filly.

“She’s got a massive engine.”

“I gave her a little kick out and I knew I was running quick but she’s was doing it so easy. I gave her a click up at the 400 and away she went.”

“Good horses like her, when they’re floating along, you don’t realise how fast they are going because they are doing it so easily.”

“She’s something special.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sheila’s Star and Malbun were slow to begin. Also at the start, She’s Got Gears and Sienna Gold bumped.

Near the 200m, Sweet Cheeks had some difficulty in obtaining clear running between Panipique and Malbun, which did shift out slightly. A veterinary examination of Sweet Cheeks revealed the filly to have a slightly elevated heart rate.

She’s Got Gears hung out rounding the home turn.

A veterinary examination of Sienna Gold revealed the filly to have an abnormal action. Connections did advise that Sienna Gold would now be sent for a spell.

K McEvoy (Malbun) explained that in his opinion the filly may not be up to this class at this stage and was not suited by the fast tempo.

More articles