| 35.
Webbey Explains Sunline Decision |
10/03/2002 |
|
Sunday, 10 March 2002: NSW TRB handicapper Mark Webbey rated Sunline's win in last Saturday's Coolmore Classic as a 3kg inferior race to the opposition she will meet in the $2.5 million Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on March 30.
Sunline
Webbey drew that comparison as the basis for deciding not issue a penalty to Sunline for her Coolmore Classic win under 60kg, 2kg more than she has in the Doncaster.
“I believe she should remain at 58kg as I am mindful of the fact that she met a field rated 3kg inferior to the Doncaster,” Webbey said.
“Each of the horses she defeated will meet her on superior weight terms in the Doncaster, due to the compression of weights in the Coolmore.
“This year’s Coolmore was not any stronger than the 2000 edition and she was not penalised coming into that year’s Doncaster."
Sunline won the 2000 Coolmore Classic under 60kg before finishing second to Over in the Doncater carrying 57.5kg.
“Sunline did not not rate anywhere near her peak of 121 in this year’s Coolmore – she probably rated around 114, the same rating she returned winning the Waikato Draught Sprint first-up," Webbey said.
“I am still comfortable with the fact that Sunline is 2.5kg above weight-for-age and believe the assessment is fair and relates to her current rating."
He was also mindful that Universal Prince, who has 57kg in the Doncaster, could not be re-assessed for winning the Ranvet Stakes under weight-for-age conditions last Saturday.
Old Comrade will also run in the Doncaster with 54.5kg without a penalty for his win in Monday's Australian Cup if he comes to Sydney.
However Webbey did issue a 1kg Doncaster penalty to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Hey Pronto for his win in last Wednesday's Newcastle Newmarket taking his weight to 51kg.
“Hey Pronto is a horse on the way up,” Webbey said. "He has registered three impressive wins this campaign is and suited at 1600m and beyond.
"His win in the Newmarket was in track record time and he struck interference so there was a great deal of merit in the win.
“I have to be mindful that he is weighted under horses with less form so I decided to give him 1kg to enhance his prospects of gaining a Doncaster start.”
Hey Pronto is also entered for the $800,000 Sydney Cup on April 13 but was not penalised for that race.
Webbey also did not issue a Sydney Cup penalty for the Kiwi stayer Soldier Blue despite his Flemington win last Saturday at his first Australian start, leaving him on 51kg.
Racing
and Sports
|
