Early lack of pace blew it for Newitt’s race plan

TOP Tasmania jockey Craig Newitt had a pre-race plan aboard his Hobart Cup mount Eastender, but as is often the case in big races the plan mapped out on paper turned into confetti.

Newitt said he had planned to settle Eastender back in the field and wait for the right time to get him into the race, but when the pace was so slow early he latched on to the back of Geegees Golden-girl to ease forward. But to his surprise that mare slipped into overdrive to take the lead from Earl Da Vinci.

“I was in two minds about going when we did but I thought I’d track into the race on the back of Geegees Golden-girl. But when she sped up and aimed to get the lead, I had no option but to follow up and race outside of that mare,” Newitt said.

“I still say he’s a many lengths better horse on the Launceston track, so hopefully he’ll continue on to that race.”

Eastender was the best-backed horse in the race, firming from his opening price last Thursday of $14 to start the second favourite at $4.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding Dee I Cee ($6) finished last, which left his rider Corey Brown miffed. Brown said the horse never travelled well at any stage of the race and that he either didn’t handle the track or just had an off day.

“Either way it was a very disappointing result,” Brown said.

Fastnet Dragon ran home resolutely for Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla, who said the horse was game over the concluding stages and “did a great job”.

Up Cups finished a game fourth with David Pires aboard and he said the gelding was as game as ever.

Speed Force finished 10th with Luke Currie aboard and he said that while the horse was a shade disappointing, he believes the Bill Ryan-trained gelding would be batter suited to the Launceston Cup where he races best.

But Ryan said there was no guarantee the horse would progress to the Launceston Cup on February 28.

“Luke [Currie] said the horse pulled hard again and without the blinkers on, so I’m not sure what to make of the run,” Ryan said.

“I’ll wait a day or so to see how he pulls up but right at this minute I doubt we will push on to the Launceston Cup.”