“All About Eve is flying late but just missed, she was very unlucky,” said Matty Hill in the call and that was a gross understatement.
MAGIC MAX (Magnus – Vain Sonata) was having his 3rd race start and did best in a driving finish to just hang on from ALL ABOUT EVE (Star Turn – Garden Of Eden). But have a look at the replay.
She was travelling up into it along the fence then was blocked for a run and had to ease over heels to the outside and then came with a great rush to miss by a long head. She is in front a stride past the line.
SUDOKO ( Rubick – Tiergarten) travelled just behind the pace, moved three wide as they turned, looked for about two strides like he would justify the heavy. Money for him and in the end he ran a courageous 3rd, less than half a length from the winner.
Gordon Richards, who trains Gytrash, came across from Adelaide with the winner Magic Max, and nothing should be taken away from him. He was honest and brave and has talent.
“He’s a nice horse. He quickened very well and has a bright future,” is how rider Damian Lane summed up the winner’s efforts. It looked for all intents and purposes like he was in tears after the race, however.
“I left the gates without my goggles down and my eyes really watered during the run.
“Not sure what happened. I had a face mask on so maybe my awareness wasn’t there then as we travelled and they started to sting I knew what I’d done but this horse was travelling so strongly I just couldn’t take my hands off the reins and pull them down.”
It really looked like he had been crying for an hour so red were Lane’s eyes post-race.
Those who backed All About Eve were in tears too.
Going into the race she was unbeaten from one start when a narrow winner at Bendigo.
She has improved and looks very promising. Dan Stackhouse rode her here and he was literally climbing over their backs once she turned into the home straight.
She would have lost at least two lengths in terms of momentum and having to move around horses.
To be beaten by such a short margin, by a horse with a great deal of upside himself, speaks volumes for her talent.
Magic Max, who was Gr 3 placed last start, cost just $36,000 as a yearling has now earned $101,90.
