The Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) run at 4.15pm would be best remembered as ‘Hammertime.’
That’s because the winner Adebisi got away with cushy run in front courtesy of under-rated Gold Coast rider Paul Hammersley.
Hammersley let the Desleigh Forster-trained gelding roll to the lead at his own pace.
From there he settled comfortably with Sydney visitor Latin News on its outside.
From the 800m to the 400m Hammersley had Adebisi travelling sweetly before moving into top gear.
Adebisi ran the last 400m under 35 seconds on a slow track which was easily the best of the day.
It was of no surprise no horse made any significant ground from the home turn .
Latin News tried to challenge but wasn’t good enough.
Spirit Of Boom (settled fifth) nosed out Excellantes (settled third) on the line for third.
Adebisi has been a bit like ‘Jaws’ for punters – just when you think you can dismiss him he strikes.
The winner of six races and $471,000 prizemoney has been sent out favourite on five occasions winning just once.
But those who have stuck thick with the son of Shovhog, have been richly rewarded.
Today he started an $18 chance but paid $20.30 on UNiTAB today.
“Don’t ever underestimate this bloke,” Forster said.
“He’s had a lot of knockers before and hasn’t deserved it.”
“I’d like to run him in the Goldmarket Handicap but there’s also the (Listed) Lough Neagh Stakes in two weeks.
“I’ve won a few Listed races before but it’s a good feeling to finally win a Group 3.
Forster gelded Adebisi during the winter and he has come back better than ever.
Jockey Glen Colless thought Latin News was set to win at the home turn.
“I thought after we straightened he was going to win for sure but the winner found a kick,” he said.
Of the beaten runners, Steel Zip and Ready To Rip made some ground showing, that under the right conditions, they are ready to win.
Celtic Dancer faced the breeze three wide without cover and its run should be forgiven.
Gillian Heinrich‘s new recruit Startsmeup battled on well for fifth on unsuitable wet ground after being three wide with cover.
The former Bruce Hill-trained galloper would have been Hammersley’s ride had it not been for the change of stables.
Belltone and race favourite Essington settled back and never figured.
The Listed Lough Neagh (1350m) will be run at Doomben on December 24.
The Listed Goldmarket Hcp (1300m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 2.
The win brought up a double for Hammersley who won earlier on Hearts’n’diamond for trainer Jason McLachlan.
Hammersley has now ridden 10 city winners for the season.
Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 13 | ADEBISI | Desleigh Forster | Paul Hammersley | 3 | 53kg | $18 | |
2 | 5 | LATIN NEWS | David Payne | Glen Colless | 0.5L | 11 | 55kg | $6.50 |
3 | 12 | SPIRIT OF BOOM | Tony Gollan | Ric McMahon | 2.5L | 9 | 53kg | $16 |
4 | 8 | EXCELLANTES | Robert Heathcote | Brad Stewart | 2.7L | 5 | 53.5kg | $5.50 |
5 | 3 | STARTSMEUP | Gillian Heinrich | Joe Bowditch | 3L | 13 | 56.5kg | $17 |
6 | 17e | STEEL ZIP | Pat Duff | Justin P Stanley | 3.4L | 8 | 53kg | $9 |
7 | 9 | BELLTONE | Kelso Wood | Chris Munce | 3.9L | 4 | 53kg | $11 |
8 | 11 | READY TO RIP | Andrew Williamson | Jim Byrne | 4.1L | 10 | 53kg | $6 |
9 | 14 | HAVATRYST | Barry Baldwin | Scott Galloway | 4.9L | 1 | 53kg | $10 |
10 | 15 | CELTIC DANCER | Noel J Doyle | Michael Hellyer | 5.7L | 14 | 53kg | $31 |
11 | 1 | ESSINGTON | Darryl Hansen | Damian Browne | 5.9L | 7 | 57.5kg | $4.60F |
12 | 4 | SHUFFLE THE CASH | Bryan Guy | Eddie Wilkinson | 7.2L | 2 | 55.5kg | $81 |
13 | 16 | SHEEDY | Michael Jacobs | Jason Taylor | 9.5L | 12 | 53kg | $101 |
14 | 10 | JAZZ HEART | Bryan Guy | Ryan Wiggins | 10.3L | 6 | 53kg | $81 |
7 | TIERQUALO | Kelly Doughty | Matthew Palmer | 0 | ||||
2 | LISTEN SON | Tony Gollan | Scott Seamer | 0 | ||||
6 | OLLIE VOLLIE | Sue Grills | Timothy Bell (a) | 0 |