Indian Giver - Apache sacking
February 3rd 2009 07:48
Damien Oliver has been announced as the replacement rider for Apache Cat. Corey Brown has ridden the Cat at his last nine starts, which include five consecutive Group One victories. Corey has been everywhere with the Cat in recent times: a trip to Perth, a trip to Hong Kong, and (the bookends of) two shock failures down the Flemington straight track.
(photo: Gary Wild)
It might just be the Flemington straightcourse that Apache Cat now finds disagreeable. His run in Perth when an unlucky second to Takeover Target was very good - and his third placing in the Hong Kong International saw him thunder home after losing his place turning for home.
But it is these ‘flat spots’ that he is prone to hit that are prominent in the thoughts of trainer Greg Eurell. A flat spot could be assessed by another jockey - and we all know the value of a second opinion.
Corey Brown’s Manager, Brett Grant, said that a mutual agreement had been met between trainer, connections, and Corey Brown.
“We are disappointed but we do understand. The horse has been tremendous to Corey with five Group One wins and you never like to give up a ride on one that has been so good to you but there is no animosity towards the horse’s trainer and owners and we wish them all the best. Our phone won’t be off the hook if they ring again.” - Brett Grant.
When Damien Oliver rides Apache Cat in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on February the 14th Corey Brown will be in Sydney where he has already been confirmed as rider for Absolutelyfabulous in the Group Two Breeder’s Classic.
Nearly one year ago Corey Brown was sacked as stable rider for Lee Freedman after a reasonably successful eighteen months. In the jockey merry-go-round (from stable to stable; state to state; country to country) I wonder how long it will be before Corey Brown tires of his unexpected dismissals in Melbourne. How long before he tires of Victoria. The Lee Freedman dismissal caught him completely by surprise. And after five Group One victories on Apache Cat, I wonder how he really feels about this dumping.
The only advice I could offer Greg Eurell and connections of the Cat is to make sure Damien Oliver does not clutter up Apache Cat in a pack - riding for luck or a blaze of brilliance as Damien often will do - and instead he gives him galloping room and clear sailing. Nothing will be learned if he goes to the line in a pocket.
Damien has already won on Apache Cat and the horse does go well for him. As he does (did) for Corey. As he did for - there have been a few.
Apache Cat jockeys:
(34 starts - 11 jockeys)
Corey Brown 9 rides
Michael Rodd 3 rides
Damien Oliver 6 rides (previously)
Glenn Boss 3 rides
Greg Childs 1 ride
Noel Callow 4 rides
Craig Williams 2 rides
Nick Ryan 2 rides
Mark Flaherty 2 rides
Mark Pegus 1 ride
Vince Hall 1 ride
Apache Cat & Corey Brown
(photo: Gary Wild)
It might just be the Flemington straightcourse that Apache Cat now finds disagreeable. His run in Perth when an unlucky second to Takeover Target was very good - and his third placing in the Hong Kong International saw him thunder home after losing his place turning for home.
But it is these ‘flat spots’ that he is prone to hit that are prominent in the thoughts of trainer Greg Eurell. A flat spot could be assessed by another jockey - and we all know the value of a second opinion.
Corey Brown’s Manager, Brett Grant, said that a mutual agreement had been met between trainer, connections, and Corey Brown.
“We are disappointed but we do understand. The horse has been tremendous to Corey with five Group One wins and you never like to give up a ride on one that has been so good to you but there is no animosity towards the horse’s trainer and owners and we wish them all the best. Our phone won’t be off the hook if they ring again.” - Brett Grant.
When Damien Oliver rides Apache Cat in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on February the 14th Corey Brown will be in Sydney where he has already been confirmed as rider for Absolutelyfabulous in the Group Two Breeder’s Classic.
Nearly one year ago Corey Brown was sacked as stable rider for Lee Freedman after a reasonably successful eighteen months. In the jockey merry-go-round (from stable to stable; state to state; country to country) I wonder how long it will be before Corey Brown tires of his unexpected dismissals in Melbourne. How long before he tires of Victoria. The Lee Freedman dismissal caught him completely by surprise. And after five Group One victories on Apache Cat, I wonder how he really feels about this dumping.
The only advice I could offer Greg Eurell and connections of the Cat is to make sure Damien Oliver does not clutter up Apache Cat in a pack - riding for luck or a blaze of brilliance as Damien often will do - and instead he gives him galloping room and clear sailing. Nothing will be learned if he goes to the line in a pocket.
Damien has already won on Apache Cat and the horse does go well for him. As he does (did) for Corey. As he did for - there have been a few.
Apache Cat jockeys:
(34 starts - 11 jockeys)
Corey Brown 9 rides
Michael Rodd 3 rides
Damien Oliver 6 rides (previously)
Glenn Boss 3 rides
Greg Childs 1 ride
Noel Callow 4 rides
Craig Williams 2 rides
Nick Ryan 2 rides
Mark Flaherty 2 rides
Mark Pegus 1 ride
Vince Hall 1 ride
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Comment by prwsydney
Comment by Leonard Marlborough
Racing Write
My main criticism of Damien Oliver is that he often rides for luck (or show) - on horses that just need to be kept out of trouble. Last Spring a shocker on Heart Of Dreams when beaten by Tindal, and last week on Keano a similar error of judgement (but he would not have won anyway).
Oliver rode an exceptional along the rails ride to win on All Silent at his first Melbourne run. Looked brilliant in execution - but it could just as easily have come unstuck and been a disaster if the seas had not parted in last 150 metres. Dwayne Dunn kept All Silent out of trouble and he won the Group 1 Emirates eased down by 3.5 lengths. There is no need to ride pretty or for luck on good horses. They really just need to be balanced and given clear sailing.