Stipendiary Steward's Report 

Stewards: M/s L N McCutcheon; N Goodwin and B Bateup

Horses Swabbed: Bizz
Bleeders: None
Barrier Blankets: None
 
Race One: 

At the start, Madison Amber (C Carmine) jumped outwards simultaneously as Catie Cruz (M Cameron) jumped inwards. This resulted in Burnside (B Herd) which drew between these two runners being tightened.

Towards the end of the back straight Kalgoorlie Bomber (M Barnsley) when being steadied off the heels of Skate (M Walker), got its head up for several strides.

In the run down the back straight, Burnside over raced and had to be firmly restrained off the heels of Rough ‘N’ Rumble (D G Bradley) which had to steady away from the heels of Kay Sera (H Tinsley).

Race Reports

Albert: 

Twiggy was a bit disappointing yesterday to finish 9th beaten 5 lengths, at Awapuni. Her work had been good leading up to the race and she jumped well, but Ronald said he couldn't cross them and so restrained her towards the back. She was trapped three wide and appeared to be stop starting for the first 800 metres of the race. 

I didn't think it was one of Ronald's better rides after riding her well in her first run back. She started to move at the 600 but just battled down the straight without losing or gaining ground. Ronald said he would have been better off leaving her alone as he now believes she finishes her races off far better ridden quietly. 

There is also no doubt that a 1600 would have suited her far better than a 1400 where she could have got into a rhythm and stayed on. She will definitely step up in ground next start and I will let you know how she pulls up from this race.

To be honest before the race started I felt that if she repeated her previous performance and was able to challenge, she was a banker for a place, or at least some prize money. The opening market showed that there was also confidence in her, this was enhanced when the commentator placed her in his top three. Again her priced dropped from the $9.80 down to $8.60 once she was safely stalled. This then dropped again just before the off to $8.20. She has not carried our money since the third race and even then it was only $5 each way... yep not much of a punter, eh! If we had lived near to a TAB we would have considered staking $5 each way on this race.

As the gates opened she broke reasonably well, and was in mid-division. She then drifted back a little, Ronald appeared to stand up for a second, but from the TV pictures it was not possible to see whether another horse had come back on them. As they moved into the turn she was again three-four wide and Ronald began to hustle her, she did not respond as well as was hoped. In fact as they entered the straight she was more intent on looking around. By the time she did decide to concentrate she had dropped back to the last five, too far away to challenge for a place.   

It may have been the early pace in the race, but she did not look as comfortable as she had in her previous race. The fact that she failed to concentrate, would be a concern and blinkers/visor may help her with this aspect. On a positive side she was only just over 5 lengths off the winner, unlike in previous races where she had decided that she would take no further part in the race.

It's ironic, but her performances have been similar to the ending of the film "THE ITALIAN JOB", in that she is the coach perched on the cliff edge. The win or place finish is the gold that's at one end, and we are all at the other end trying to work out how we can get that gold. Just as you think you're near it appears to slip further away!

Summary: Mid Outer, Never Threatened.