3 minute read
A look at some of the action from the supporting card on Cranbourne Cup day.
Extremely Rowdy Connections
Trainer Peter Gelagotis and connections of Extremely Rowdy could be seen celebrating their smart filly in style as the $4 chance backed up a last start dead heat maiden win to take out a 3yo handicap on Cranbourne Cup day.
Gelagotis was full of confidence pre-race and was justified with what he believes is a "very good filly."
"This filly has shown us a lot, a lot of talent. On Tuesday morning, John Salanitri rode the filly in trackwork, he'd never ridden her before, and the way she worked was just incredible," Gelagotis said.
Ridden by Jye Mcneil, Extremely Rowdy showed a convincing turn of foot to put 1-½ lengths on Il Cubo ($21) with Jewel Bay ($4.40) a further ¾ lengths away.
"Her best asset is the way she can quicken. So far it's been able to get her out of trouble. Hopefully as she matures she will become a better barrier horse and that will make life a bit easier for her," McNeil said.
Favourite goes under in Pendant
The shortest price runner of the day and by some margin was Kazou, many expecting the progressive mare to take out the Rosemont Stud Fillies & Mares Pendant at $1.60.
Alas, she was no match for Revolutionary Miss, who appreciated a sharp drop in grade having contested Group races in 15 of her 19 career starts, including her past 10.
Despite being beaten just 1.3 lengths by Skew Wiff last start at Group 2 level, Revolutionary Miss was sent out a $6 equal second favourite, her class showing through when coming off Kazou's back to go on and win by 1-¾ lengths.
Jordan Childs, who was having his first ride on the multiple Group 1 placed mare, said everything went to plan.
"She came back and rested nicely for me. I knew when I presented her she was going to have a bit of a kick. The favourite didn't quicken up as much as I thought it would, so it left it a bit vulnerable late. My horse had been racing well and deserved a win like that," Childs said.
Is It Me clings on
The judge took their time to confirm that Is It Me ($5) was the winner of Race 6 with the progressive four-year-old holding on by the barest of margins over the fast-finishing Bel Air ($6) a nose away in second.
Beaten first up by subsequent Thousand Guineas placegetter Skybird, Is It Me missed the start at Bendigo second up but was able to flow into the race from a wide gate under Jordan Childs, hitting the front early and causing tension amongst connections as Bel Air put his head down on the line.
Trainer Daniel Bowman found the wide draw a blessing in disguise after Is It Me struck trouble from barrier one last start.
"I think he could be Group or Listed level in time, but he's just got to go through his grades and learn his craft. He did everything right and was aided by a really good ride. Hopefully the penny has started to drop and we can raise the bar slowly," Bowman said.
Foujita San gives Childs a treble
Jockey Jordan Childs recorded a treble on Cranbourne Cup day, booting home $21 chance Foujita San after scoring on Revolutionary Miss and Is It Me earlier on the card.
The pace went on mid-race over the 2025m and Foujita San flew home to win narrowly over Glentaneous ($5.50) and Gregolimo ($4.20 fav) who snuck up the inside and hit the front with 100m to go.
Midfield in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield two starts back, Foujita San was disappointing in an easier race at Flemington last time out when tenth but Childs got the best out of him, dropping 4.5kg from last start.
"The blinkers went on today as well (which) probably helped and the Hawkes team certainly know what they're doing. It's great to get another winner for them," Childs said.
Jimmysstar sends punters home happy
In nine races on Cranbourne Cup day, no favourites had managed to salute but the progressive Jimmysstar ($2.40 fav) ensured some respite, building on an impressive Australian debut win at Bendigo to take out the Class 3 Shooting Stars Plate by 2-¼ lengths.
Jockey Craig Williams was happy to stay out of trouble from a wide draw which saw second placegetter He's Beset ($10) only a nose in front of He's Handsome ($6.50) in third and less than a length between second and sixth in a messy race behind the soft winner.
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trained a double in the last two races on the card and stable representative Jack Turnbull was thrilled to get another winner for prominent owners Ozzie Kheir and John O'Neill.
"He's obviously very lightly raced in Australia. He was very well bought by Ozzie (Kheir) and the team and again we race a lot of horses in their silks. They buy very well and they're very progressive. The horse came over in very good order and a big thank-you to our team at Cranbourne in the way they have managed that horse and he's going the right way," Turnbull said.
Quote of the day: "He's got a magnificent clock, a great set of hands and he's very mature at letting the race develop. He doesn't rush. He works hard and he's probably had the best spring he's ever had and thankfully it's been on our horses" – Jack Turnbull (Maher & Eustace) on Declan Bates after the Cranbourne Cup.
