Courtesy The West Australian website:


VISITING New South Wales trainer Garry White, whose stayers Time Signal and Zero Point failed dismally in yesterday's BMW Perth Cup, says he will be back but will do things differently.

Zero Point faded from second at the 800m and finished 11th, more than 15 lengths behind winner Tumeric. Time Signal trailed the field of 18, then plodded into 15th position, almost 20 lengths from Tumeric.

"I've learnt a lot from this trip," White said.

"Today's defeats won't stop me tackling the Perth Cup again, but next time I'll focus entirely on the race for some months. I made the mistake of running them in two 3200m races within a short time."

Time Signal won and Zero Point finished fourth in the Queensland Cup (3200m) on November 23.

"There's been valuable experience gathered from this cup mission and I'll make sure we come back with the right horse to make a very good winning bid," the trainer said.

There were few excuses from the beaten division after yesterday's cup, run before a crowd of 37,419. WA Turf Club officials said the attendance was 400 up on last year.

Chief steward John Zucal said the race had been cleanly run.

"There was hardly any interference of note to report," Zucal said. "Our veterinarians inspected the field after the race and reported no significant injuries.

"It was a very cleanly run race and a credit to the jockeys."

The string of excuses usually offered after Perth Cup defeats were almost non-existent yesterday.

Apprentice Clint Harvey, who rode runner-up So Canny said he had a clear run.

"It was a terrific performance by a horse that has a sprinter's pedigree," Harvey said. "He ran on strongly but had no chance of catching Turmeric."

Tumeric's stablemate Bold Mirage fought on gamely from seventh at the 800m to finish third, 4¼ lengths behind Turmeric.

Troy Turner, who rode Bold Mirage, said: "We had a good run all the way but he didn't quite stay the trip."

Tuart's Pride dropped back from fifth to 10th nearing the home turn and then finished fast for a fourth.

She was ridden by Neil Chapman, who won last season's cup on Cardinal Colours.

"Tuart's Pride put in a real stayer's effort," Chapman said. "It's bad luck we got crowded at a vital stage."

Stewards later reported that Tuart's Pride was found to have near foreleg lameness after the Cup.

Dananmatt rocketed home from 15th at the home turn and finished fifth, five lengths behind Turmeric.

"This horse has a big future," said his jockey Troy Jackman. "He could be very hard to beat in the next cup."

Dananmatt's trainer Fred Castledine said he was looking forward to the future with a lot of confidence.

end


Full finishing order:


1 3/1 Tumeric 54 John Claite
2 20/1 So Canny 54 Clint Harvey
3 11/2 Bold Mirage(NZ) 52.5 Troy Turner
4 25/1 Tuart's Pride 51 Neil Chapman
5 10/1 Dananmatt 51.5 Troy Jackman
6 50/1 Our Annabel 51.5 Jason Whiting
7 6/1 Mr. Tambourineman 51.5 Lucas Camilleri
8 33/1 Moonrise 52 Patrick Carbery
9 8/1 Exit Lane 55 Jeff Noske
10 25/1 Honor Lap(NZ) 54 Paul King
11 25/1 Zero Point 51.5 Jason Brown
12 14/1 Higgins Gold 51 Alana Sansom
13 25/1 Super Moss 51 Daniel Staeck
14 100/1 Dela Ventosa 51 Takahide Ikenushi
15 14/1 Time Signal 53.5 John Powell
16 50/1 Fujiama 52 Kevin Forrester
17 33/1 Play The Whistle 51 Danny Miller
18 100/1 Uno Jack 51 Steven Parnham

I see they ran a reasonable time (3:23:08), this surprises me a little considering the slow pace early.

Tumeric was far too good, those that got the 6/1 early must be still smiling!

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