How The Turnbull Runners Fared
The Sunday Age
Sunday October 5, 2008
1st LITTORIO: Stalked Weekend Hussler wherever he went and looked to be travelling sweetly entering the straight. Sprinted quickly when asked for an effort and was doing it easily on the line. "He looks an ideal cups horse. I know it's hard to predict what can happen in big cups but on today's run I'm pretty happy," said jockey Steven King.
2nd MASTER O'REILLY: Settled at the tail of the field but gradually improved coming into the straight. Picked up nicely over the last 600, running home in 34.45 seconds. A great Caulfield Cup trial. "You've got to have the right timing for the big races, I'm really happy with the way he'd come back and the run was very good," said trainer Danny O'Brien.3rd ZIPPING: At the crossroads before this run but showed he could still play a role in the big races with a fast-finishing third. Ran the fastest last 600 of the field (34.29). "Great run, kept coming on," said jockey Eddie Cassar.4th POMPEII RULER: Always handy to the speed and looked a winning chance when he overhauled Maldivian at the 300. Just laboured under his big weight over the concluding stages and looks a major player in both Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. "Run was fantastic, the horse is going the right way," said jockey Craig Newitt.5th GUILLOTINE: Raced a little fiercely early but settled and held a position just off the leaders. Never looked a winning hope but held his spot in the run to the line. Racing like he wants more ground.6th MALDIVIAN: Settled in a perfect spot just behind the leaders. Got rolling as they turned and put two lengths on his rivals to take the lead at the 400. Paddled once he got to the front and weakened over the last 200.7th EFFICIENT: Settled near last and was still last rounding the home turn. Worked home really well when not punished in the straight. On track to defend his Melbourne Cup title.8th WEEKEND HUSSLER: Caught wide throughout the race and never had any luck. Loomed up five wide rounding the turn but the effort soon told. Not pushed out in the run home. "In hindsight I probably took my sit too soon. I'm sure he'll get through the run fine," said jockey Brad Rawiller.9th ALEXANDER OF HALES: Imported stallion who took up a forward position alongside Extend. Was still thereabouts 400 from home but weakened out of it over the final 200. Might need more ground.10th TUESDAY JOY: Classy mare who settled on the inside of Weekend Hussler with Darren Beadman riding a terrific tactical race to keep the favourite wide and working hard. Failed to fire on after a cosy run and was subsequently found to have bled from both nostrils.11th ZAGREB: Never came into calculations after racing a touch worse than midfield. Will appreciate a four-kilogram weight drop in the Caulfield Cup in two weeks.12th ZARITA: Uncharacteristically poor effort from a usually tough-as-nails mare.13th EXTEND: Led until the 600, when he started to feel the pinch. Outclassed in this line-up. -- MICHAEL SHARKIE
© 2008 The Sunday Age
