The Falcon and the Larrikin
August 10th 2010 05:28
Last Saturday at Flemington the Group 3 feature, the Aurie’s Star Handicap, was won by the in-form Mark Kavanagh trained sprinter, Elusive Touch. Since taking over the training from Tim Martin in Sydney, Mark Kavanagh has presented Elusive Touch at the races on four occasions, with the Elusive Quality gelding finishing no further back than second, and has proven to be a talented straight-track sprinter with his two wins coming at 1200 metres down the Flemington straight. Not insignificantly, this was also the first Group Race to be decided in the new racing season, and a portentous result with Mark Kavanagh and his wealth of stable riches (think Whobegotyou, Shocking, Shamoline Warrior, etc.) striking first in a premiership battle with the other next generation trainer of the moment, Peter Moody.
(photo: Neil Murray)
Neil Murray Photography
This win was neither undeserved, nor unexpected, but it was the performance of the runner-up Leica Larrikin that has everyone excited. The 5 year old Nothin’ Leica Dane gelding is a brother to the extremely talented, and equally misfortunate, Leica Falcon. In the Spring of 2005 Leica Falcon rose from obscurity to capture the Group 2 Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield, before striking interference when a luckless 5th to Railings in the Caulfield Cup (G1), and then a brilliant fast-closing 4th behind Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup. Thereafter nothing went right for Leica Falcon with injuries and the protocols surrounding Equine Influenza keeping him away from the track for nearly 2 years - a time when it could be expected that he would rise to his peak. But instead he found the precipice and has fallen into racing obscurity. Leica Falcon is currently being prepared by Jarrod McLean at Warrnambool, but at two attempts with his new trainer he shows no indication that the performances of 2005 can be reproduced (even bordering on a shadow of the magnificence) five years later as a 9 year old in 2010.
Both Leica Falcon and Leica Larrikin have been entered for the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup. Leica Larrikin is also entered for the BMW Caulfield Cup.
Leica Larrikin is a far more brilliant horse than his brother. His promising run in a Group 3 1200 metre sprint a further sign that this talented gelding - with a distinct liking for Flemington - can play a significant role in the Melbourne Spring. Trainer Richard Freyer had no expectations of such an impressive performance from Leica Larrikin in the Aurie’s Star as his minimum winning distance (to date) has been 1600 metres.
The stewards’ report from the Aurie’s Star a further indication to the prospects of Leica Larrikin in coming weeks:
Race 6 – AURIE’S STAR HANDICAP (Group 3) - 1200 metres:
Prior to correct weight M Cahill rider of Leica Larrikin, second placegetter, viewed the Stewards film before deciding not to lodge an objection.
Soon after the start Leica Larrikin was hampered when crowded for room between Grand Duels and Elusive Touch which shifted out slightly.
After passing the 600m Leica Larrikin was unable to improve its position when held up until inside the 200m.
M Cahill (Leica Larrikin) was questioned regarding his tactics inside the final 300m as to whether he could have elected to take a run on the fence and inside Grand Duels sooner than he did. M Cahill explained that he had been instructed to ensure that the gelding got plenty of racing room and that he felt the track was inferior on the fence and for that reason, to make the shift that he did was his last option. He added that he would’ve liked to have tried to gain a run between Headway and Elusive Touch however was left with no other choice than to make the decision he did near the 200m. He conceded in hindsight that he should have made the shift toward the fence earlier as the run was always available to him.
Elusive Touch (outside) narrowly prevails over Leica Larrikin (red with blue cap)
(photo: Neil Murray)
Neil Murray Photography
This win was neither undeserved, nor unexpected, but it was the performance of the runner-up Leica Larrikin that has everyone excited. The 5 year old Nothin’ Leica Dane gelding is a brother to the extremely talented, and equally misfortunate, Leica Falcon. In the Spring of 2005 Leica Falcon rose from obscurity to capture the Group 2 Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield, before striking interference when a luckless 5th to Railings in the Caulfield Cup (G1), and then a brilliant fast-closing 4th behind Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup. Thereafter nothing went right for Leica Falcon with injuries and the protocols surrounding Equine Influenza keeping him away from the track for nearly 2 years - a time when it could be expected that he would rise to his peak. But instead he found the precipice and has fallen into racing obscurity. Leica Falcon is currently being prepared by Jarrod McLean at Warrnambool, but at two attempts with his new trainer he shows no indication that the performances of 2005 can be reproduced (even bordering on a shadow of the magnificence) five years later as a 9 year old in 2010.
Both Leica Falcon and Leica Larrikin have been entered for the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup. Leica Larrikin is also entered for the BMW Caulfield Cup.
Leica Larrikin is a far more brilliant horse than his brother. His promising run in a Group 3 1200 metre sprint a further sign that this talented gelding - with a distinct liking for Flemington - can play a significant role in the Melbourne Spring. Trainer Richard Freyer had no expectations of such an impressive performance from Leica Larrikin in the Aurie’s Star as his minimum winning distance (to date) has been 1600 metres.
The stewards’ report from the Aurie’s Star a further indication to the prospects of Leica Larrikin in coming weeks:
Race 6 – AURIE’S STAR HANDICAP (Group 3) - 1200 metres:
Prior to correct weight M Cahill rider of Leica Larrikin, second placegetter, viewed the Stewards film before deciding not to lodge an objection.
Soon after the start Leica Larrikin was hampered when crowded for room between Grand Duels and Elusive Touch which shifted out slightly.
After passing the 600m Leica Larrikin was unable to improve its position when held up until inside the 200m.
M Cahill (Leica Larrikin) was questioned regarding his tactics inside the final 300m as to whether he could have elected to take a run on the fence and inside Grand Duels sooner than he did. M Cahill explained that he had been instructed to ensure that the gelding got plenty of racing room and that he felt the track was inferior on the fence and for that reason, to make the shift that he did was his last option. He added that he would’ve liked to have tried to gain a run between Headway and Elusive Touch however was left with no other choice than to make the decision he did near the 200m. He conceded in hindsight that he should have made the shift toward the fence earlier as the run was always available to him.
| 72 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
