DOOM FEB 06 - HEARTSAREFORLOVE STRUTS HER STUFF

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Doomben, February 6, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 5.5m.
QTIS 600 2yo Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-10.88. (Carrying 53.5kg).
1 Heartsareforlove; 2 Pinnacle Ridge; 3 I'llbetricked.

The John Thompson trained Heartsareforlove gave her rivals a galloping lesson to score her first win in her second career start at Doomben on Saturday.

The winning margin of 6.50 lengths suggests one of two things. Either this was a quality performance by a superior racehorse or the level of the opposition left a lot to be desired. Either way, all Heartsareforlove can do is pass the test asked of her and that she did with flying colours.

The field jumped in an even line but jockey Stathi Katsidis was quick to seize the initiative. He pushed Heartsareforlove out from her wide barrier and the filly had the speed to be able to comfortably cross her field and take up the lead hugging the rail.

Once in front, Katsidis immediately gave Heartsareforlove a breather while ensuring he held the front-running role. In the sweep to the turn, Katsidis backed up the rest of the field while he set the ambush.

That ambush was sprung early in the straight where Katsidis asked a little more of his mount. Responding well to a mere flick of the wrists from Katsidis, Heartsareforlove began to lay down the law to her rivals. Without any real apparent effort, Heartsareforlove left her opposition floundering in her wake as she quickly opened up a winning advantage.

Katsidis had a look over his shoulder with 150m left to run and then just took Heartsareforlove to the line under a hands and heels ride.

The ‘race over’ signs went up long before she crossed the line.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Assistant trainer Toby Edmonds: “That was pretty impressive wasn’t it? It’s been a great start for me with Patinack at the coast. (Trainer) John (Thompson) has sent some nice horses up. I’ve basically just put a saddle on them and they’ve won, so good on him. Yeah, if they keep getting them right down there and just sending them up ... I’m happy with that.

“Yeah, we don’t know how good the opposition was here, but I was just having a look at her sectionals. You know, the last 400 was 22 something. She’s led and really let down good. She drew awkward, so we had to give her a dig out. You don’t want to go back in a two-year-old race and then look for a run.

“I’m pretty confident if there is speed on she can box seat and do the same. These Hussonet’s ... I haven’t had much to do with them ... but they are a little bit hot and such. She’s a little bit like that, so I expect a bit more from her next prep. As she matures I think she will make a nice filly.

“In her first run at Kembla Grange, she put in a better run there than Wonderful Lass (who won for Patinack at Eagle Farm, also in her second career start, a week earlier). They ran in the same race (both were on debut).

“She chased hard at Kembla and just got tired chasing, you know, and battled all the way to the line. Wonderful Lass got beat thirteen-and-a-half lengths. I think she got beat four lengths or something (4.60 lengths).

“I was based at the Gold Coast some time ago. I left the Gold Coast in September 2000 to train privately for a guy and that was ok, but I’m happy to be back with some good support behind me.”

Jockey Stathi Katsidis: “She felt very good. I won on their filly (Wonderful Lass) last week here ... her stable-mate. She won her race quite convincingly against probably average opposition. Today’s opposition might only be average as well, but like she’s won by six-and-a-half lengths ad she gave me a really nice feel the last 600. I really like her.

“There’s not much of her. She’s very small ... that’s not the greatest ... but she will win races.

“I got a really soft lead which probably helped her and she travelled forward from the 600. She did it all on the bit. I’d like to see how she races if there is good speed in a race. That will be the test with her.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Heartsareforlove): 7.00 out to 8.00 in to 6.50.
Favourite (More More More): 1.80 out to 2.00. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Pinnacle Ridge (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, hampering I'llbetricked (A. Erhart).

Shortly after the start, Tame Our Girl (A. Spinks) shifted in and away from Pinnacle Ridge (L. Cassidy) and made contact with Lines Of Time (R. McMahon). For some distance after this, Lines Of Time was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Pinnacle Ridge (L. Cassidy), which was inclined to lay in.

Rounding the first turn, I'llbetricked (A. Erhart) was inclined to over-race at the heels of Better Option (J. Bowditch).

Leaving the 700m, More More More (G. Colless) shifted out to improve and brushed Craigellachie (M. Palmer). Craigellachie (M. Palmer) raced wide throughout.

A post-race veterinary examination of More More More failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of More More More, G. Colless stated that the horse, despite being three wide from the 700m, seemed somewhat flat and did not finish the race off today as expected. He added that More More More had worked well in preparation for today's race, however following the race was of the view that the horse may need to be spelled. Trainer's representative Mr Jones indicated that in all likelihood the horse would be spelled.