BLACK PIRANHA BITES BACK

By Graham Potter | Sunday, June 7, 2009

For the connections of Black Piranha, the triple disappointment of those well-publicised, successive, Group 1 runner-up finishes was laid to rest in an emphatic manner in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Tactically, Black Piranha was ridden as if he was the best horse in the race. The best horse won. It was a simple as that!

The result represented a Group 1 breakthrough win for both his trainer, twenty-four-year-old Con Karakatsanis and jockey, nineteen-year-old Tye Angland.
Karakatsanis turned out the five-year-old gelding trained to the minute. Angland rode the gelding to perfection. Their authority was complete ... their victory a credit to the whole Black Piranha team, who can all take a bow for their thoroughly professional and memorable achievement.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Con Karakatsanis: “Oh mate, I don’t know what to say. That is the best feeling in the world. Tye (Angland) rode him a treat again. I can’t say much more about Tye ... he’s an absolute superstar, but the horse, he is an absolute freak. He does everything we throw at him, he just keeps finding something. Like I say, I am just shocked. I’m just stunned. It was awesome.

“I almost dry-retched about 50m out. I’m dead-set feeling crook. It was different this week because we ended up as the favourite. I have never been that nervous before in my life. Now I just want to celebrate this.

“He loves his racing. He has just kept on getting better and better. We don’t give him long preps. He just has three or four runs every prep and then we give him a nice little freshen up and he comes back. He loves being in work. He loves being a racehorse and he loves to try. I can’t fault the horse. He is an absolute freak.

“He’ll be going to Melbourne. I’m aiming for the Cox Plate with this horse, and then probably just freshen him up for something like the Emirates.

“Tye is an absolute freak. He’s a champion that bloke. He’s been riding that good for say six months. It’s only now people have been taking notice of him. He deserves all the credit as well - thank you Tye.

“I’m just... my mum, my dad, I thank them. I love them so much. They are the greatest parents. I owe everything to them. The owners ... they are wonderful. Tye Angland ... everyone involved, thank you very much. Black Piranha, you’ve given me the best thrill of my life. I want to thank you ... I just love that horse to death.”

Jockey Tye Angland: “Con has done a good job. He has stuck with me and here we are winning Group 1 races. It’s a great feeling. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but it might kick in by the end of this arvo. Group 1’s are what every jockey wants and I’ve been able to get one. I’ve had three seconds before so to finally get the first one is a bit of a relief. Hopefully we can win another one with him.

“I was confident in the lead-up. He’s been going real well and it wasn’t as strong a field as he has faced in his last three runs.

“I pretty much rode him the way we usually do, but probably just a length closer. He travelled well. He loved the conditions. About the 800m it got a little bit tight and there were a few horses going everywhere. There were a few bumps and everybody was trying to ride competitive. He spat the bit on me again but I was lucky enough to get on to one’s back and he dragged me right into the race. I think it was Marasco who I followed for a bit. Then he sort of went in and gave me the opening. I hit the front and he sort of star-gazed a little bit.

“You know it is not over till you hit the winning post, so anything can happen. But, yeah, I was confident once I hit the front. I had a quick look and there was nothing there. Close to the line I could hear Danleigh coming, but we got the money.”

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Absolut Glam left the gates awkwardly. Swick was slow away. Just after the start Ortensia was momentarily crowded for room between Something Anything and Royal Discretion both of which shifted a little ground.

Near the 1000m Mr Slick bumped with Marasco and then shifted out abruptly and got its head up when being checked off the heels of Absolut Glam. The occurrence was accidental. About the 900m Vocalic struck the running rail and was checked when crowded on the inside of Mr Baritone, which was taken in slightly by Rightfully Yours (J. Byrne), which in turn was racing tight on the inside of Solo Flyer (G. Schofield). The crowding to Vocalic was quite severe, however the stewards did not believe complete responsibility could be attributed to either G. Schofield or J. Byrne and therefore took no direct action. However, they were both advised that if they were to ride in such a tight manner in future, it may lead to a breach of the rules and they must exercise more care.

After the race the veterinary surgeon examined Rightfully Yours. He said the horse had been galloped on on its near hind leg and had lost a near-fore plate. Also after the race he examined Bank Robber and reported that the horse was lame in its near-hind leg. Before Bank Robber will be allowed to race again a satisfactory certificate of fitness will have to be produced.

After the race Sniper’s Bullet was examined by the veterinary surgeon. He said that whilst he was unable to detect any obvious abnormalities, he did consider that the horse was not stepping out behind as it should.