CAUL FEB 20 - STARSPANGLEDBANNER BY A NOSTRIL

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Caulfield, February 20, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Oakleigh Plate (Group 1) - 1200m.
Time: 1-03.16. (Carrying 52kg).
1 Starspangledbanner; 2 Here De Angels; 3 Arinos.

In a stirring finish the Leon Corstens trained Starspangledbanner prevailed by the narrowest of margins in a blanket finish to land the Group 1,Oakleigh Plate from Here De Angels and Arinos.

It was a big moment for all of the colt’s connections, and I mean all of them, as celebrations exploded on every front. From the stable staff, to the large group of owners who already had plenty to smile about prior to the race following the sale of Starspangledbanner to Coolmore for $10 million, to the Coolmore connections ... another Group 1 victory by the chestnut was just the perfect result.

But the group had to pay their dues before their relief and exhilaration burst the banks of emotion. They had to sweat their way through the concluding stages of the race, watching as Starspangledbanner managed to stay in front over the final 200m in spite of shifting ground to a disturbing degree while placed under immense pressure by a wall of challengers. It doesn’t matter how far you win your race by, but winning by the proverbial whisper can be a bit too close for comfort.

Jockey Dan Nikolic gave Starspangledbanner the perfect ride early when he tucked in behind Avenue and Grand Duels who ensured that the Oakleigh would be a true run race. On the turn, Nikolic gunned the engine and Starspangledbanner took the measure of the two early leaders to hit the front with 250m left to run.

By the 200m, the cavalry chase was on behind Starspangledbanner and Nikolic was hard at work to try and hold his advantage. While he was game and kept on fighting, Starspangedbanner was also not helping his cause by running into the whip and shifting ground out across the track.

It was a minor movement at first, but then it became exaggerated and of some concern as it ended up with Starspangledbanner getting out some eight to nine horse widths on the track.

That shift of ground had it consequences.

It meant that Here De Angles and Arinos (who were both held up early in the straight) could close up dramatically when putting in their runs in a relative straight line to the inside of Starspangledbanner. Without Starspangledbanner costing himself ground they might not have got so close to the eventual winner.

By contrast, the fact that Starspangledbanner carried Eagle Falls, in particular, out wider on the track than Eagle Falls would have been at a critical stage of proceedings, meant the latter arguably could not get as close to the winner as he might have done if he had been afforded a clean shot at the target.

Nikolic was ‘issued with a severe reprimand for permitting his mount to shift ground’. That was the only action taken with regard to Starspangledbanner’s finishing effort.

In the end, Starspangledbanner prevailed in what can best be described as a hectic finish to secure the victory that set off both the big celebration and a lively debate about the outcome.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Troy Corstens (spokesman for the Leon Corstens stable): “It was fantastic ... super. I wasn’t really disappointed with his run in the Lightning.” (Starspangledbanner’s last start in which he finished fourth behind Nicconi). “I thought he did a fantastic job.

“Coming here today ... you know just the things that have gone on and the dream it has been.” (Winning the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and then negotiating an agreement for the $10 million sale of the Starspangledbanner to Coolmore). “It’s great to do this for Coolmore ... to do this for our owners ... it’s great for the industry. It’s good for everyone.

“We negotiated that we get the prize-money from the Lightning, the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket. Then he transfers to (trainer) Aiden O’Brien and continues his journey in Europe. It is hard to part with him, but it’s great as well, you know. That’s what makes the industry go around.

“We are one hundred percent confident about the Newmarket. He sort of got out towards the end there today, but I still think there is a little bit of improvement to come with him in terms of fitness. He has just done so well this preparation and I think there will be a little bit of improvement and in the Newmarket you’ll see a better horse again.”

Jockey Dan Nikolic: “He did a terrific job because he is still not there fitness-wise. I think probably the last 100m he had had enough too, but his will got him there. He had the tendency to sort of wonder a little bit but, fitness-wise, I think there are still a couple of lengths up his sleeve. It was a super effort and he is going to be very competitive in the Newmarket again.”

PRICES:
Starspangledbanner (7.00); Here De Angels (6.00); Arinos (51.00).
Lucky Secret was the favourite at 5.00. Lucky Secret finished eighth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On jumping away Starspangledbanner shifted out slightly and made contact with Arinos which then got unbalanced after shifting out and making contact with Lucky Secret.

Here De Angels was held up rounding the home turn and failed to obtain clear running in the straight until inside the 200m. Arinos was unable to improve its position in the early part of the straight when held up for clear running until after passing the 200m.

D Nikolic (Starspangledbanner) was issued with a severe reprimand for permitting his mount to shift ground outwards several horses inside the final 200m thereby forcing Eagle Falls and Lucky Secret much wider on the track.

Stewards adjourned an inquiry regarding the amount of whip use by M Rodd (Here De Angels) in the straight.

A post race veterinary examination of Avenue revealed the filly to be sore in both fore-fetlocks and trainer Mr P Moody was notified that a veterinary certificate of fitness is required prior to Avenue racing again.

A post race veterinary examination of Lucky Secret which performed below expectations revealed the gelding to be lame in the near fore-leg and trainer Mr A Vasil was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness is required prior to Lucky Secret racing again.

After the running of the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Weekend Hussler was lame in the off-fore leg and trainer Mr R McDonald was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness is required prior to the gelding racing again.

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