EF MAR 5 - MONASAHEE DANCER ALWAYS IN CHARGE

By Graham Potter | Monday, March 7, 2011

Eagle Farm, March 5, 2011.
Track - Heavy 10. Rail - out 4.5m.
Open Handicap - 1000m.
1 Monashee Dancer; 2 Daunting Lad; 3 Huckleberry Dane.
Time: 59.45. (Carrying 52kg). Last 600m: 35.13.
Margins: 2.00. Long-head.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Darren Bell: “He was the only speed horse in the race. I said to Michael (Palmer) that was his advantage … that he might be able to nurse him into the race … and nurse him until well into the straight.

“Just looking at the replay there he held himself together all the way to the line. Yeah, I did tell Michael to get off the fence in the straight. Definitely.

“He’s got a little bit tougher this horse. He used to be a little bit suspect the last 50m, but he’s just got that little bit tougher. I wouldn’t be afraid to try him in a 1200m race sometime, but he’s next assignment will probably be over 1000m in a fortnight’s time.

“He’s been a great. I think he’s won five Saturday metro races. He’s won ten races overall. He’s been great for us.”

Jockey Michael Palmer: “We only had a small field today. The plan was to nurse him as long as I could.

“He usually jumps out and he leads on his own. He jumped out and put himself there like he usually does. With the heavy track today our plan was just to wait as long as we could … until the last minute to really sort of let down.

“Today, you know, he didn’t sort of reef and tear like he has done in some of his past races.

“The heavy track probably helped him. He feels more comfortable on it.

“I had a look over my shoulder coming around the home turn. That was just to see where the others were behind me and then I angled out to get to the best point of the track.

“He was comfortable. He travelled fine. When he did let down he probably found another length or so as well and kept on to the line really well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Monashee Dancer): 3.50 out to 3.80 in to 2.90.
Favourite (Bold Glance): 1.80 out to 2.30. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer J. Green's representative was advised that a $100 fine would be imposed for Mundi Gully being presented to the enclosure without a tongue-tie, which was part of that colt's gear.

Stewards sought an explanation from C. Munce regarding the performance of Poor Judge.

C. Munce stated that the gelding could not quicken today with the big weight on the heavy track, but, in his view, bearing in mind the circumstances, Poor Judge was not entirely disappointing.

Trainer N. Hilton agreed with jockey Munce's assessment and explained that in previous campaigns the fitness of Poor Judge has improved as it progressed into its preparation.

A post race veterinary examination of Poor Judge failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

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