It was an interesting week of racing for Walcha-owned neddies, with some disappointing results and some positive results as well.
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Jefferson Park was sent out a short-priced favourite at Tamworth last Friday but found the 1000 metre trip too short.
Jefferson Park raced in fifth place for the major part of the journey and finished the race off well, but could not overcome the margin on the line.
George Woodward stole the show with Opera Blu. Opera Blu was well ridden by Marlon Dolendo who took Opera Blu to the lead from the jump and put on a fine front-running display.
Opera Blu was never headed and was actually going away from the opposition on the line and will strip fitter for the run next start.
Marlon Dolendo seems to have an affinity with the stable’s gallopers right now and is consistently riding winners for Woodward.
George was also represented by Foreign Secretary who looked to have a great chance during the running – sitting in second spot until the straight but he did have a hard run and the run told over the last little bit where he faded to finish fifth.
Jo Jo Girl’s syndicate of owners, which includes Jim Nivison and cousin James Tait, was hoping for a good performance from her at Randwick over the more suitable journey last Saturday.
But like every other horse who finished behind the winner, they along with the riders were caught unawares by the tactics of the hoop on Lovethebeaches who shot that horse to a lead of at least 25 to 30 lengths at one stage of the race and managed to maintain a big margin on the line to win easily.
Stewards were scathing of the riders who finished behind the winner for not wanting to cart the rest of the field up to the tear away leader and are looking at a subsequent inquiry.
The win reminded me of a horse called Pirate Bird who was a stayer as well and who would go out and lead by 40 lengths in some of his races. I used to back him and quite often he would get up at huge odds.
I remember backing him One day at 40:1 and collecting for the win. Unfortunately for me the bet was placed SP, and SP bookies’ odds were never above 20:1.
To finish on a bright note, Mollie Partridge gave a brilliant front running display on the Colt Prosser-trained Alpine Dragon at Taree last Friday. Mollie’s 3kg claim brought his weight back to 58kg, but he carried the weight with ease.
