Wynn-win Situation As Quinn Shows Initiative

Sun Herald

Sunday June 8, 2008

Max Presnell

'A most perfect ride," commented former champion jockey Ron Quinton on Rod Quinn's navigation of Bellagio Wynn in the PKF Welter at Royal Randwick yesterday.

It was a far cry from Bellagio Wynn's previous defeat when Racing NSW stewards lit a blowtorch under apprentice Mitchell Beadman, after the gelding went down by a short half-head.

Beadman claims three kilograms and his judgment was a stride out but Quinn, the long-time warm-up jockey for the Woodlands Stud Syndicate, is one of the more accomplished tradesmen in Sydney.

Quinn always had Bellagio Wynn moving smoothly on the heavy surface, tracked through the field and saved ground, points to which Quinton was referring. He made his run at exactly the right time and still only had a long head to spare over El Meroo, handled by Larry Cassidy.

When praised for the effort, Quinn replied: "I just followed Larry."

Perhaps "warm-up jockey" needs clarification. Quinn has always been the second or third choice for Woodlands behind the likes of Cassidy, Shane Dye, Darren Beadman and Corey Brown, mainly getting on the second- or third-string chances.

Jamie Innes has the same position with Gai Waterhouse and again showed, given the horsepower, he is effective. Innes had no trouble scoring on promising two-year-old Millennium Express ( Cancer Foundation Golfers Handicap) and Mister Celestial (June Stakes).

As with Bellagio Wynn, under Beadman, riding instructions came to the fore yesterday. Even Mark Shean, the on-course broadcaster, during the race gave the impression strong fancies Gently Bentley ($3.50) and Guru (3.10) were giving too much start in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap. Certainly Noble Edict ($3.50) had the run of the race, in touch with the leaders.

Stewards questioned Peter Robl about Gently Bentley and he maintained the game plan given to him was "to get back to last", "don't go too early" and "not to get in a pocket".

Forgive me, but it was a five-horse race so how would any jockey worth his riding fee get into such a situation?

Robl explained that he intended to follow Guru, with Jeff Lloyd up, and go to the outside of him, but Guru didn't go forward as expected.

"You gave them a bit of a start?" acting chief stipe Mark Van Gestel asked Robl.

Robl: "It would have been a good effort to win from there but he didn't let down [in the conditions] either."

Gently Bentley went down about a length behind in third place and Guru finished last, but only 1.3 lengths astern of Noble Edict.

On his return Lloyd told the media "tempo beat him" as he was positioned at the tail. "That's how they wanted him ridden," he added.

The steward's report confirmed Lloyd was told to have the gelding back, but, "when he put his mount under pressure immediately upon straightening Guru did not quicken as expected, and Noble Edict was able to establish a break."

To me, giving senior jockeys riding instructions and expecting them to be followed to the letter is an abomination.

They should be left to adapt to the circumstances and pace in the race.

For Bellagio Wynn, Quinn was told to "get back but you don't have to be last". Back he was, but he cut corners and navigated a heady course, using initiative.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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