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Happy homecoming leaves Edmonds in dilemma 28th November 2009, 6:32 pm By Glenn Davis BRISBANE, Nov 28 AAP -

Underrated Sydney mare Conquering Queen gave trainer Toby Edmonds a happy homecoming but left him with a dilemma following her all-the-way win in the Listed Leo Williams Memorial Plate at Eagle Farm. Edmonds trained at the Gold Coast for six years before he transferred to Sydney in 2000. Jockey Brad Pengelly didn't plan to lead on the daughter of Invincible Spirit but had no cause for concern once he took her to the front. "The plan wasn't to lead but as it turned out it was the best option," Pengelly said. "After the 700 metres she relaxed beautifully and she's got a brilliant turn of foot." Conquering Queen was never threatened at any stage of the 1200-metre feature and went on to down Gold Coast mare Fuhrnatic by four lengths. Conquering Queen was on her best behaviour despite having a history of barrier problems. She was a late scratching from the Listed Promenade Stakes at Flemington on VRC Oaks day but Edmonds has always believed the four-year-old was capable of winning a feature race. "That was impressive to win from her wide barrier and I'll see how she pulls up before I decide if she backs up next week in the (Group Three) George Moore Stakes at Doomben," Edmonds said. "If I don't run her I'll put her away and get her ready for the (Group One) Robert Sangster in Adelaide next year. "She's a good on-pace filly and she's very fast if used that way. "We took her to Melbourne for the spring but she played up behind the barrier and had to be scratched in the Promenade Stakes at Flemington on Oaks day."

LIMANI PUTS HER BEST FOOT FORWARD.

I was delighted that Limani could put her best foot forward for her new owner Cathy Haines and show some return for her prior to the breeding season. Limani settled well back in the field and produced a powerful finish to nose out Joe Prides consistent Imtops she was beautifully ridden by top Jockey Chris Munce.

As for Limani's immediate future i am sure ther will be another run or two in her depending how she pulls up

Conquering Queen doesn't disappoint on debut
Clinton Payne, Racenet
Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Conquering Queen has been one of the best-backed runners of the day at Warwick Farm today and she didn't let her supporters down by taking the honours in the Assertive Lass Maiden Handicap (1100m).

The Toby Edmonds-trained filly was backed from $3.80 into a quote of $3.20 which saw her start favouritein front of the easing Boca Chita, $2.50 to $4.40.

The victory for Edmonds was most satisfying as he purchased the filly at the Inglis Premier Sale two years ago off the back of the performances of his former smart two-year-old I Am Invincible, who is by the same stallion Invincible Spirit (IRE).

Showing amazing speed from the barriers, Conquering Queen went straight to the front and staying well off the rails she gave plenty in the straight to hold her rivals at bay.

“That was great, she did a lot wrong today but was still too good for them,” Edmonds said.

“I'm pretty excited because I hadn't really tested out prior to today so holding on the way she did on a soft track is very pleasing.

“She is very sharp and I've got no doubt will be better on top of the ground.”

The runner-up, Jemison also turned in a strong performance catching the eye over the final 200 metres with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Boca Chita battling on in the straight for third.

The placings and margins: Conquering Queen 58kg ($3.20) (C.Munce) defeated Jemison 58kg ($5) (N.Rawiller) by a short neck with Boca Chita 57.5kg ($4.40) (D.Ganderton a2) a further half length away in third.

The time and sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.06.19 secs and the final 600 metres was run in 35.97 secs.

Winner's breeding: A three-year-old filly by Invincible Spirit (IRE) x River Dance Queen (Snippets).

What they said: “She's done a good job today. First start in a race carrying 58kgs on a wet track and she was wanted to run about but toughed it out very bravely,” winning jockey Chris Munce said.

“I like her. She was very green but really powered to the line,” said Nash Rawiller, rider of the runner-up Jemison.

“She ran well but struggled in the ground a bit,” said Daniel Ganderton, the jockey of third placegetter Boca Chita.

“The soft ground didn't suit her,” said Jay Ford, rider of Miss Canny (4th).

“She weakened in the ground,” said Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Spoofs (5th).

The market: Conquering Queen was well support in from $3.80 to $3.20 and Jemison was also backed from $7 to $5 while Princess Conny was specked from $18 to $12. The on-course market closed at 126 per cent.

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Centover

Toby Edmonds, believes the new synthetic track at Warwick Farm has turned around the career of Centover. The Over five-year-old made it a hat-trick of wins in the Botany Bay Handicap (1600m) yesterday after only winning one of his first 14 runs. Edmonds said Centover's form turned around since he returned from a spell and has been working on the new track at Warwick Farm. His past three wins have netted more than $100,000, including victory in the Magic Millions Country Cup (1400m). "They all want to pot the new track at home but it is the difference with this fellow," Edmonds said. "He was always sore on the old sand track there but since he's come back on the synthetic track he's been perfect and just look at the results." Centover ($9) came from last on the turn to score by three-quarters of a length from Paul Murray-trained Bopalula ($7.50) with favourite Ambassador ($2.30) third. He had to survive a protest after giving Bopalula two heavy bumps as he went past her inside the final 200m but stewards found the bumps weren't enough to take the race from the winner. "Now he's sound there is no knowing how much more improvement there is in him," Edmonds said. "He went past them pretty quick and won well, so we'll have to find another race for him, maybe on a Saturday."

Centover gets in ahead of a dead heat Centover won the Niecon-Creating Lifespaces Magic Millions Country Cup 1400m in the final race of the 2009 Magic Millions raceday. The Toby Edmonds-trained five-year-old got to the post first in a time of 1.22.52 and earned his owners $57,000 prizemoney. Three horses stormed towards the finish line along the home straight, but Centover (G5 Over-Marcent NZ) was luckiest on the line to get clear by a half head. The following two horses could not be split and a dead heat was called for second place between the $2.50 race favourite Haveayarn (Glen Colless) and Beautiful Timing (Glyn Schofield). Centover’s trainer Toby Edmonds was pleased there was an opportunity for his charge to secure a win at the prestigious raceday. “This sort of race fit in well with this type of horse,” he said. “He struggles a bit in Sydney company and this race was really good for him.” Edmonds plans to utilise Centover in country races in the future. “He probably fits in as a New South Wales country carnival horse,” he commented. “He’s a good miler so we’ll stick with that”. From 20 starts Centover has won four times and has three second placings and has career prizemoney of $91,730. QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Phoebe Grealy – January 10