RHILL FEB 20 - DANLEIGH TURNS TABLES ON RANGIRANGDOO

By Scott Gooley | Monday, February 22, 2010

Rosehill, February 20, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 3m.
Winning Edge Presentations Classic. (Apollo Stakes).
(Group 2 - 3yo and up - Open WFA) - 1400m. Time 1-22:91. (Carrying 59kg).
1 Danleigh; 2 Rangirangdoo; 3 Palacio De Cristal.

Rosehill conditioner Chris Waller quinelled the Group Two Winning Edge Presentation Stakes with Danleigh and Rangirangdoo at Rosehill on Saturday.

The stalemates both resumed a fortnight ago in the Expressway Stakes where Rangirangdoo was triumphant with Danleigh finishing last of the small field of five, only one and a half lengths away.

Off the back of that win, Rangirangdoo was sent out for today’s event a dominant $2.40 favourite and Danleigh, $8.00.

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Danleigh who had drawn the outside alley of the field was allowed to settle well back off the solid speed being established by Theseo, McClintock and Hadaaf.

After four hundred metres had been run, Danleigh had settled eighth, ten lengths of the lead which was now solely occupied by McClintock.

Reaching the 600m mark, Bowman was urging Danleigh forward who was now in ninth position and not appearing to make any impression on the leading group of horses.

Straightening for home, McClintock was joined by Rangirangdoo, who had been camped perfectly behind the speed by his jockey, Corey Brown. As they raced inside the final 300m together, Bowman was easing Danleigh out wide behind some tiring horses.

At the final furlong pole, Rangirangdoo had got the better of McClintock and looked set to make it back to back victories. However, some five lengths behind, Danleigh began to hit top gear and, as they reached the 100m mark, was a legitimate threat.

In the final fifty metres and with the momentum in his favour, Danleigh collared his stalemate and scored by a half neck with Palacio De Cristal ($21) running an eye-catching third a further length away.

It was the six year old son of Mujahid’s seventh career win, his sixth at Group level.

Post race, Waller suggested that Rangirangdoo was maybe a little unlucky not to have held on.

“With Rangi, we probably went a bit early. That was my mistake.” confessed Waller.

“I told Corey he’s (Rangirangdoo) got two main gears, they are, on the bend he is very effective and he’s got a good turn of foot. Obviously we may have used that up a bit too early.”

“Corey was just riding to instructions and I’m sure he’s going to tell me that when he comes back in.” smirked Waller.

As for Waller’s opinion of the winner: “Danleigh was honest all the way to the line.”

“We’ve been adamant that we can get him to a mile and we’ll see how he goes in the Chipping Norton in two weeks.”

“They’re two very good horses and I’m sure there’s more wins in store.” Waller concluded.

Hugh Bowman gave his view from the saddle.

“I thought ... he’s got the job to do on straightening.” Bowman said honestly.

“I thought I won’t do anything fancy, I’ll just get him out and give him a chance to hit the line and he got the chocolates for me.”

“I must admit, I was concerned, but I saw him (Rangirangdoo) up in the firing line before the turn so I thought he can’t keep that pace up forever.”

“I just worried about my horse and he did the job for me.”

PRICES:
Danleigh (8.00); Rangirangdoo (2.40 favourite); Palicio De Cristal (21.00).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Palacio De Cristal and Vision And Power, which were both slow to begin, were hampered shortly afterwards when O’Lonhro shifted in.

Near the 1300m No Wine No Song had to be steadied off the heels of Alcopop (D Tourneur), which shifted in. D Tourneur was told to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground.

Rangirangdoo and Rock Kingdom came together at the 900m as they contested a position on the back of Theseo. Thereafter Rock Kingdom raced three wide.

Approaching the 600m McClintock shifted away from the rails, taking Theseo out three wide. As McClintock shifted back to the rails at the 600m, Rangirangdoo was able to obtain a run to the inside of Theseo and then improve between Theseo and McClintock.

Palacio De Cristal was held up for a run at the entrance to the straight and had to shift out across the heels of Alcopop to obtain clear running.

Over the final 100m both Roman Emperor and Vision And Power raced in restricted room close to the heels of Hadaaf and could not be fully tested. Rangirangdoo ran out under pressure over the latter stages of the event.

When questioned, R Quinn could offer no explanation for the failure of O’Lonhro to finish its race off. A post race veterinary examination of O’Lonhro revealed the horse to be displaying a poor post race recovery and mild respiratory distress.

Trainer Mr M Hawkes undertook to report the results of a full vet check of O’Lonhro, including an endoscopic examination.

H Bowman, rider of the winner, Danleigh, was fined the sum of $400 for having breached AR137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he used the whip in a forehand manner eight times prior to the 100m (three more than permitted by the rule). In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account H Bowman’s good record in regard to this rule.