Things did not go to script for Sweet Dolly, who was looking to keep her perfect record intact when she tackled the QTIS Jewel Qualifier, a Three-Year-Old Plate over 1200m at Mackay, with the Kevin Hansen filly fading out of contention when it mattered most after leading the field for most of the running.
Sweet Dolly was all the rage in the betting starting at the prohibitive odds of $1.30 with punters showing all the confidence in the daughter of Real Saga that her race record of four wins from four starts would seem to deserve, their respect for her seemingly over-riding any caution attached to the fact that she had to jump from the extreme outside barrier and was racing for the first time in eleven-and-a-half months.
That confidence remained intact in the first half of the race. Jockey Justin Stanley pushed Sweet Dolly forward at the start and she seemingly made light work of getting across from the wide barrier to take up an immediate lead … with Stanley clearly riding her as if she was the best horse in the race.
Turning for home, followers of the favourite were probably still feeling pleased with themselves. The field had started to pack up a bit on the turn and Sweet Dolly only held a couple of lengths advantage approaching the 200m mark but Stanley had yet to ask Sweet Dolly to lengthen her stride and set about her business.
But when he did … just inside the 200m mark … that’s when the complexion of the race, and on the faces of those who had taken the short odds, changed in dramatic fashion.
Sweet Dolly simply did not find enough of a change of gear to stay competitive to the line.
Agustawynd ($10) was the first to challenge Sweet Dolly … and, after a brief battle, the Tim Cook trained runner had the measure of the favourite but, no sooner had Agustawynd taken the lead then she herself came under siege from the faster finishing, Clinton Taylor trained Magnetic Drive ($15) who finished over the top to beat Aguswynd by 0.20 lengths.
Sweet Dolly stayed on for third with Stanley being kind to his mount over the closing stages. At that stage there was little point in doing anything else as Sweet Molly could do no better than third place at that time … and the prudent thing was to save her for another day.
The Stewards, however, did question Stanley post-race about Sweet Dolly’s performance.
This is from the official Steward’s report: ‘When questioned regarding the performance (of Sweet Dolly) Jockey J. Stanley advised that his mount travelled well until a point near the 400m where in his opinion it became awkward in its action and failed to respond when placed under pressure. Jockey Stanley further added that it was his opinion that horse would derive a fitness benefit from the run and would expect it to improve at its next start. Stewards noted Jockey Stanley’s explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have sustained a laceration to the off-hind cornet.
