DOOM MAR 31 - FIRST CITY WIN FOR MITCHELL WOOD

By Graham Potter | Friday, April 2, 2010

Doomben, March 31, 2010.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - out 6.5m
Class 3 Handicap (C, G & E) - 1030m. Time: 59.35. (Carrying 56kg).
1 Ulladulla; 2 Fleet ‘N' Fast; 3 Destiny Partners.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelly Schweida: “That was really good. That’s his (Mitchell Wood’s) first day in town. He rode it a treat. Bless his little heart.”

Apprentice jockey Mitchell Wood: “When I said go he just went boom.

“He jumped a little bit awkward. He had a little bit of a squeeze out of the gates.

“We wanted to be ... I was told to be one off on the fence, you know, in the box position and that is exactly where we ended up. I couldn’t have asked for a better run. They put on a nice tempo for me.

“He just sat there and stalked them ... stalked them. When I got him out and said go, he just went.

“I did expect a big run. I did jump him out about four weeks ago now, prior to his first-up run, which was a little bit disappointing. But I knew what I had under me today.

“Mate it is an absolutely sensational feeling to win in town. It’s great.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Ulladulla): 6.00 out to 8.00.
Favourite (Fleet ‘N’ Fast): 3.20 out to 3.50 in to 3.40. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hesanothadollar (J. Wood) jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

When being restrained near the 800m Lines (C. Munce) shifted in across the heels of Mr Montgomery (S. Drake) and lost ground.

Rock My Roof (J. Taylor) raced very wide throughout.

Apprentice B. Looker, the rider of Centennial Son, which performed below expectations, explained that the gelding travelled well in the lead in the early and middle stages despite being pressured by Zebakwe, which was over-racing to its outside.

B. Looker added that when placed under pressure upon straightening the horse did not respond to his riding as anticipated. A post-race veterinary examination of Centennial Son revealed no obvious abnormalities.

Near the 300m Lines was inconvenienced by Mr Montgomery which shifted out.

L. Cassidy, the rider of Zebakwe, which performed below market expectations, explained that it was his intention to ride the gelding with cover, however Zebakwe over-raced in the early stages when caught outside the leader and the horse continued to over-race.

He added that when placed under pressure the horse did not respond to his riding and the fact that the horse over-raced may have had an adverse effect on the its finishing performance in the straight.