War of Attrition in Mornington Cup
Story By Jason Hickson
Wednesday, 20 February 2008: With heavy rain throughout the day the track was downgraded to a heavy (nine) after race four with Attrition gaining a start in the feature race as an emergency.
Jumping from a wide gate, Mark Pegus made a long, sustained run out wide on a day that favoured on-pace runners close to the rail.
Prepared at the track by Pat Carey, the gelding proved too strong to edge out another local galloper, Arrowsweep, to make it a Mornington quinella.
Correct Amoondo battled on to finish third while King Johannes ran fourth.
The saddle slipped on the favourite Poised To Win while second favourite Barwon Express was last on the turn and made good ground but could manage only midfield in the testing conditions.
It was a tough win by the lightly-raced grey, who had never raced beyond 1800m before today's event and was sent out a $31.00 chance.
“It's my home track, my home town and it's nice to win these races,” Carey said.
“It was his first crack at a mile and a quarter but he's a fit horse and worked well here the other day so we thought we had a chance. The wet track really brought him into the race.”
It was the fourth win from just 18 starts from the four-year-old and his first start not only at the distance but in stakes grade.
Meanwhile Mick Price has picked up a black-type win for handy mare La Famelia after she claimed the Listed Hareeba Stakes.
The four-year-old, ridden by Damien Oliver, stalked a hot early pace before running away to score over Palace General.
Bella Princess, resuming from a spell, was always well back but saved ground on the inside and made up many lengths to finish third.
It was the fourth career win from 14 starts for the mare and her first win in wet ground but most importantly a stakes success.
“I didn't think she handled the ground that well,” Price said. “But it's an excellent result because now she's got black type.”
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