25 January 2005

FOR the second consecutive week, Clyde trainer Jayne Davies had mixed emotions at Harold Park last Friday night after Manrock finished seventh behind Mister Martini in the Paleface Adios Sprint, all but ending the four-year-olds chances of qualifying for this weeks $200,000 Chariots Of Fire.

The desperate late bid for Chariots Of Fire selection came with Penny Veejay in the Ascot Car Rental Newcastle Pace over 1760 metres later in the night, after the four-year-old finished unplaced in the Hondo Grattan sprint a week earlier after breaking.

It was a real shame about Manrock and we had to go all out with Penny Veejay in the last race of the night to gain selection, Davies admitted.

Bolting out hard to lead from barrier seven, Chris Alford wound Penny Veejay up from the word go, breaking 30 seconds for the first three sectionals in 29.8, 29.2 and 29.4.

Finishing in 30.5, Penny Veejay had to settle for second to Outa Neutral, who grabbed victory on the line by a neck with Scott Osmond at the reins, rating 1:57.1  more than a second faster than Mister Martinis 1:58.2 in the Chariots Of Fire qualifier.

They went quicker than they did in the sprint and Id have to say it was the quickest Penny Veejay has gone, Davies said.

Outa Neutral came home the better and Penny Veejay's main problem was not settling and he began to charge up a bit during the race.

Outa Neutral was selected as the first reserve in the Chariots ahead of Penny Veejay, the second reserve.

1. PENNY VEEJAY (2nd Emergency)

Bay Gelding, Village Jasper USA-Newbold Penny

Owner/Breeder: K.F. Richards

Trainer: Jayne Davies

Record: 28-13-8

Earnings: $99,419

Fastest Winning Mile Rate: 1:59.5

Career Highlights:

6th 2005 Hondo Grattan Sprint

5th 2004 Aust' Breeders Crown Final

8th 2004 Queensland Derby

4th 2004 Vicbred Super Series Final

2nd 2003 Redcliffe 2YO Star Wars Final

2nd 2003 Kevin Seymour Nursery Final

5th 2003 Vicbred Super Series Final