CAUL FEB 27 - EXTRA ZERO SCORES TOUGH WIN

By Scott Gooley | Monday, March 1, 2010

Caulfield, February 27, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 3m.
The Yalumba 161 Autumn Stakes (Group 2 - 3yo Open,- Set Weights) - 1800m.
Time: 1-50:69. (Carrying 55.5kg).
1 Extra Zero; 2 Absolute Faith 3 Money Rocks.

Three year old colt Extra Zero has registered the second win of his career with a strong performance in the Group Two Yalumba 161 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The son of Danzero, who had ran second in the Victorian Derby and Bill Stutt Stakes during his Spring Campaign, was ridden by Glen Boss and jumped from gate nine in the field of ten runners.

Boss allowed Extra Zero ($4.60) plenty of time in the initial stages of the race and settled him at the tail of the field, six lengths off the pace.

Racing past the 1200m Michael Rodd, aboard Money Rocks ($16) who had been racing wide, elected to press on and went to the lead. With Money Rocks injecting some speed into the race, the field began to stretch out and Extra Zero, still at the tail of the field, was ten lengths off the pace.

As the field approached the 800m, the complexion of the race changed dramatically as those in front put on the brakes.

The field quickly bunched and Boss showed great anticipation easing Extra Zero away from the fence to avoid the traffic jam in front.

Boss continued to work Extra Zero’s into the race as the field headed toward the home turn.

At the point of the turn, although racing five wide, Extra Zero was closing ominously and was now within three lengths of the lead.

With a final furlong to run, Extra Zero hit the lead together with filly Absolute Faith ($8), who had found a passage closer to the fence.

Inside the final fifty metres, it was the colt that held a half neck margin with a further one and quarter lengths to Money Rocks who held on well for third.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Hayes: “He was second in the Derby (when beaten a length by Monaco Consul) and he was beaten narrowly by Carrara in the Bill Stutt Stakes.

“He’s been a very consistent three-year-old, you know. He is a proper horse I think.

“I said to Glen (Boss), don’t be surprised if you’re sitting outside the leader ... but he ended up at the back. He was back last, but when he made his move at the 800 I felt very confident that he had them covered. He was cruising.

“I think he is a good 2000 horse. We’ll see how he pulls up, but the Rosehill Guineas down the road will be a lovely race. We’ll consider the Australian Cup if he pulls up well.”

Jockey Glen Boss: “He jumped and put his head on his chest so I was happy to let him idle along and find his path and then work into the race at the half mile

“The first half a mile was really nice. It was an ok tempo and we all found our spots.

“When we got to 1000m, mayhem started. Ollie’s (Damien Oliver) horse (Cosmocrat) got racing with him and they started to bunch quickly. It turned ugly from that point on so, I just thought I’d hook my horse out and get him into clear space.

“He always felt like the winner. He’s a nice three-year-old.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
D Moor (Looped) was issued with a severe reprimand for shifting in near the 1400m when not sufficiently clear of Money Rocks which had to be eased and in turn Take The Rap (NZ) was tightened for room.

When the pace slackened inside the 1000m, Cosmocrat commenced to over-race as did Pins On Ice (NZ), resulting in both horses being checked off the heels of Viking Hero. Pins On Ice dipped passing the 1000m.

Inside the 800m, Cosmocrat continued to over-race and got unbalanced for a short distance when again being restrained off the heels of Viking Hero and as a result, shifted out, making contact with Extra Zero.

In the early part of the straight Viking Hero raced ungenerously and, passing the 200m, shifted out towards Extra Zero when at the same time, Extra Zero shifted in. As a result, both horses came together and got unbalanced. As a result of this incident Viking Hero then shifted in, inconveniencing Take The Rap (NZ) and Salinas.

Salinas was held up rounding the home turn and had difficulty in obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight. Salinas was then held up again for a short distance passing the 100m.

On pulling up Money Rocks sustained multiple fractures to the near hind leg and subsequently had to be euthanised.

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