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METAL BENDER STEELS TO TAKE HOLLINDALE STAKES
A horse that barely featured in the pre-race discussions took today’s $175,000 Listed 1300m Bovis Lend Lease Prime Minister’s Cup on the Gold Coast.
The Chris Munce-piloted Drenalin broke a string of three recent second places to salute for Deagon trainer James Lyons over race favourite and topweight Mr Baritone (Mark Zahra) and the plucky Stathi Katsidis mount Secrets Untold.
Drenalin capped off a day of close racing by scoring by a long head and a length.
It was an historic come-from-behind victory that called on all of Munce’s experience and considerable riding skills. “I didn’t like where we were at the 700, but it all came good in the straight,” he said.
Local hope, the Gillian Heinrich-trained Rasmussen, jumped first and had the best of the running in the first 800 metres, but couldn’t respond when the pace quickened in the straight.
In the race beforehand, four-year-old bay gelding Metal Bender, hoop Hugh Bowman and Rosehill trainer Chris Waller combined to take out the $300,000 weight for age Group 2 Lincom Pacific Equipment A.D. Hollindale Stakes over 1800m.
Metal Bender was too good for fellow race favourites Gold Water and Road to Rock, winning by one and a quarter lengths and a short half head, setting him up for a serious tilt at the 2010 Doomben Cup.
Road to Rock was eight lengths off the lead at the half way mark and five wide and five lengths back at the turn – the deficit proving too much to make up in such class company.
And while Metal Bender’s win surprised few on track, a major on-track shock was sprung when rank outsider Beethog took out the $125,000 Carlton Mid Gold Coast Guineas over 1200m. Trained on the Gold Coast by Les Kelly, Beethog flew over the final 100 metres to gather in Temple of Boom and Stryker to deliver the filly’s injury-plagued rider Justin Stanley a career highlight and an unforgettable comeback.
The previously-unsighted Beethog ran the breakaway leaders down in the shadows of the post to score by a long neck and a half head over Temple of Boom and Fifteen Carat.
Marquee runners Phelan Ready and Stryker dead heated for fourth.
2010 Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winner Graceful Anna continued her love affair with the Gold Coast track by winning the $150,000 Attwood Marshall Lawyers Silk Stocking over 1200m. Ridden by Larry Cassidy and trained at Warwick Farm by David Pfieffer, Graceful Anna produced a blistering run over the final 200 metres to beat fellow race fancies Kanzan and Conquering Queen by a half length and a length a and a quarter in a time of 1:10:17.
Gold Coast Turf Club Chief Executive Grant Sheather said today’s feature races, won in previous years by the likes of Might and Power, Shogun Lodge and Rough Habit, lived up to all expectations.
“Many of today’s runners will move on to Group One races in Brisbane during the Winter Racing Carnival and they certainly couldn’t have had a finer track or better fields to stamp their credentials,” Mr Sheather said.
“It has been a classic raceday and one that once again demonstrated what broad support the sport of thoroughbred racing has here on the Gold Coast.
“Our grandstands and our corporate and public areas were brimming with all the colour and excitement that only a major raceday can deliver,” he said.
Off the racetrack proper it was a Sunshine Coast double in the Harbour Town Fashions on the Field.
Maroochydore’s Dayna Wandrey (24) not only took out the Best Dressed Female award, but also provided the Hat that took out the Best Hat or Fascinator category; worn on the day by her good friend Sarah Gillham (22).
Sunshine Coast TAFE design student Wandrey wore a 1940’s-inspired cream top, scarf, Cue skirt, red felt beret and carried her grandmother’s jewellery box clock to woo judges, former Bardot member Tiffani Wood and Harbour Town’s Sarah Hughes.
Gillham, a public relations student from Alexandra Headlands and first-time fashions entrant, complemented a summery purple floral dress with a vintage feather and felt hat bought online from the United States by her eagle-eyed friend.
Thirty-year-old transport company manager Troy Martin donned a peach-coloured pork pie hat and a snappy green and pink suit and waistcoat ensemble to win Best Dressed Male.
The Varsity Lakes resident bought the suit on a trip to Hong Kong in February, providing a winning double of his own after scoring the major men’s fashions prize at the 2010 BMW Magic Millions feature raceday.
The three winners took away gift vouchers and other prizes from Harbour Town, Reading Cinemas, Simone Perele, Lili Outlet, Famous Footwear, Zasha Hair and Beauty, the Perfume Connection, Adidas Outlet and Esprit Collection.
They also snared a professional portrait shoot with Star Shots Surfers Paradise and gift vouchers from Esteem Beauty and Day Spa and Sunglass Hut.
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