Tide Doesn’t Turn For Moody & Moodie
- Saturday, 12 June 2010 03:42
Trainer Peter Moody extended his lead in the Melbourne Trainers’ Premiership while owner David Moodie continued his excellent association with two-year-olds this season as Riptide won the $70,000 Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1400m) at Flemington this afternoon.
Ridden by Ben Melham, Riptide settled outside the leader Seventh Bullet who only set a slow tempo.
When favourite Anniversary ($1.80-$2.70 fav) made a move in the early portion of the straight, the pace quickened appreciably.
However the Gai Waterhouse-trained runner soon faded to weaken out of contention.
As that occurred, Riptide got the better of Seventh Bullet upon entering the final furlong to win and consign Seventh Bullet to another second placing.
Riptide ($5.50-$7-$5) defeated Seventh Bullet ($4.20-$4.60-$3.70) by three quarters of a length with outsider of the four-horse field Decry ($13-$17) a further length and three-quarters away in third.
A maiden from five starts prior to today, Riptide was unquestionably fit for today’s assignment, having her fifth start this preparation.
“She had them sorted a long way out didn’t she,” Melham said upon returning to scale.
“Obviously Peter Moody had her very fit and she had the benefit of a few starts that the other runners didn’t.
“We were really able to control the race from where we were.
“It was a small field, they didn’t go quick early and we were able getting going when we wanted to and it was a good win.
“But (she was) just too fit and too strong,” Melham added.
The major query coming into the race was whether Riptide would be able to handle heavy going, something she had failed to do at Sandown Lakeside two starts back.
However her admirable performance at Cranbourne last start and today’s authoritative win has quashed those fears.
By Exceed And Excel, Riptide is out of the dam River Express who has produced dual stakes winner Cross Current.
Cross Current was also owned by Moodie, finished fourth in the 2003 VRC Sires Produce (1400m) and 2004 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) whilst in the care of Mathew Ellerton.
Peter Moody has now won 70 races this season in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
