Here’s some more attempted
analysis of the stakes races on Saturday…
[b]<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Next Move Handicap[/b]
Clendon
Park - A.P. Diamond - Perchance To Dream
[b]Clendon
Park[/b]
National Champion 4YO mare who seems to have got better with age this
year. Only finished worse than second twice this year in eight starts. She’s won a GI, two
GII’s and a GIII, all around the distance of this. Last start she easily defeated the best
SC mares when she won the GI Santa Margarita Handicap over 9F. Hard to go past in
this.
A.P. Diamond
Class 4YO mare who’s been in the top three
every start this year and shouldn’t have a problem achieving that again. Last win was an
ungraded stakes over 8.5F last year. Has had a number of good runs this year, mostly being
defeated by Clendon Park. Can’t see her turning the tables on her as she’s been off for a
month, but she should have an honest race.
[b]Perchance To
Dream[/b]
Grand Champion 4YO mare who looked spent this year until her very
speedy win in the GII San Luis Rey Handicap last start. Maybe likes them a little longer, but
she has got form around this distance. Has been inconsistent this year, but has been racing
with the best and she should be running on well in this. Place chance, can’t see her beating
her stable-mate home.
[b]<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Distaff Breeders’ Cup
Handicap[/b]
Black Magick - In The Know - Long Shot
[b]Black
Magick[/b]
Grand Champion 3YO filly who has come back this year in great form.
She’s won five from seven races, including two GI victories. Her 8F form is awesome, she’s
won a GI over that distance and a GI over 7F so no problems there. She is coming of a fairly
easy win in a turf allowance. Last dirt start was fourth in In The Know’s GI Thousand
Guineas over 8F. Should go very close.
In The Know
Very good
Champion 3YO filly who has only been below fourth once in her career, still bringing home a
cheque by finishing fifth. Very consistent against the top class, she’s been second in four
stakes, two being GI. Two starts back she wired the GI Thousand Guineas over 8F. Then she ran
second in the GI Santa Anita Oaks over 8.5F. She probably should have won, but was found to
have swelling in her RF leg. Will give this a good go.
[b]Long
Shot[/b]
National Champion 4YO mare who doesn’t seem to have found the level she
was at in her 3YO year when she won three GI’s straight. She’s been there, but not quite
there in all her starts this year, though she has had some good runs against the boys. She’s
also having her first start against the younger fillies which I don’t think looks to be in
her favour. Should place though.
[b]<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Orchid Handicap[/b]
Hollywood
Mystery - What’s Your Dream - Time For Triumph
[b]Hollywood
Mystery[/b]
Grand Champion 4YO mare who looks in great form this year. Hasn’t
won since winning the GI Vassels Stallion Farm Distaff over 8.5F five starts back. Has had
some credible runs since then including a third behind Highland Grace and fourth in the Cox
Plate behind Witness, her only other try at 10F this year. She looks pretty good back in this
class now and should do well.
What’s Your Dream
National
Champion 4YO mare who hasn’t come back this year as good as last year, yet. Still, she has
been competitive all year and does have the ungraded Irish O’Brien Stakes over only 6F under
her belt. Has been beat by Hollywood Mystery a couple of times and I’m not sure if she’s up
to turning the tables. Place chance.
Time For Triumph
Very
consistent Champion 4YO mare who’s been running long races all year. Last three starts have
all been wins, twice over 11.5F and once over 10.5F. She can handle this distance no problem.
She’s been stakes placed a number of times with her best performance probably being a second
behind American Rhapsody in a GII last year. Should be running on well for a
place.
[b]Gulfstream Park
Handicap[/b]
Revolution - Princely Moment - Highest
Starr
Revolution
National Champion 4YO stallion who’s
beeing winning stakes since he was a 2YO. Nice and consistent this year against the better
horses in his age such as National Post, Crystal Rainbow and Sudden Death. Looks to have this
small field pretty easily covered. Has won over this distance already this year and should be
hard to beat on his last start second in the GIII Geelong Cup over 12F. Looks fit for
this.
Princely Moment
Lightly raced Champion 4YO stallion.
Only been sent to the starter three times this year and has come back each time with a
cheque. Best run when looking at this race would have to be two starts back when third in a
12.5F allowance behind Strider and Ray of Light. Has since run a second in the GIII Toboggan
Handicap over 7F. Should be running on well.
[b]Highest
Starr[/b]
Champion Highland Rogue 4YO stallion. Hasn’t had the best of years
with five starts bringing back three fourths. Best run was in the GII San Marcos Stakes over
10F turf when fourth behind King David, Alley Cat and Candidate. Other than that he hasn’t
faced any top competition. Hard to see him figuring much in this race.
[b]<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Caltech Handicap[/b]
Major’s
Flight - The High Land - American Rhapsody
[b]Major’s
Flight[/b]
Grand Champion 5YO stallion who has been chasing an illusive stakes
win for a long time now. I think he’ll pick it up in this race. It is a pretty weak field
for some reason. Form this year has been pretty good. He’s raced three times for a third
behind Mission Bay in the GIII Mac Diarmida Handicap over 11F and second behind Kensington
Road in the ungraded Stymie Handicap over 9F. Should find the 13F a problem and looks pretty
good for this.
The High Land
Pretty consistent 5YO Champion
stallion. This guy is yet to win a stakes races, but has been close a couple of times. Has
had a couple of good runs this year. I think his last start was the best. He was third in the
GII San Rafael Stakes over 7F behind Magic Glory. The race had very high SF’s posted. Looks
pretty fit for this and he should have no problem placing.
[b]American
Rhapsody[/b]
This National Champion 4YO mare is another one who’s still looking
for her 2008 form which was a little up and down anyway. Still, she’s had a couple of good
runs this year, her best being a second to Clendon Park in the GII Buena Vista Handicap over
8F about a month back. Looks like she will improve any moment and I can’t see why it won’t
be here. Place chance.
<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Portrero Grande Breeders’ Cup
Handicap[/b]
Peace Patriot - Harry Potter - Highland
Continental
Peace Patriot
Multiple stakes placed 4YO
stallion who has been running quite well this year. Won a 10.5F allowance a few starts back
and then went on to third in the GIII Canadian Turf Handicap over 8.5F. I don’t think the
distance will be a problem for him as he has a fourth in the GIII Geelong Cup over 12F on
dirt, and turf looks to be his preference. Strong chance to get his first stakes win
here.
Harry Potter
Grand Champion 5YO stallion who is long
overdue for a stakes win. Hasn’t won a race this year, but has had a number of strong runs
over the distance. He ran a second in a 12F allowance before going on to run third in the GII
Winning Edge Stakes over 12F. If he continues on with that form then it is quite hard to see
him having a bad run in this.
Highland Continental
Champion
5YO gelding who is yet to win a stakes. Hasn’t had brilliant form coming into this race, but
has had a couple of good runs early in the year. Relevant to this race, he finished third in
a 12.5F allowance. Did run a third in the ungraded El Conejo Handicap over 5.5F. Bit short to
be a pointer for this. Don’t think he can win this, but he is wonderfully bred and that can
take a horse a long way.
<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Godolphin
Mile[/b]
Secretsarebound - I Swear - Gotta
Go
Secretsarebound
Champion 5YO stallion who’s been running
very well this year. Looked very good when he won the GI Caulfield Stakes two starts back
over 10F. Also won the GII Chelmsford Stakes over 8F first start this year. Has the ability
to run a very quick mile and looks like he should have this one under his thumb. He also is
the only horse in the field to have won stakes this year.
[b]I
Swear[/b]
Up and coming 3YO colt who is having only his eighth career start. Won
two allowances this year, one over 8.5F and the other over 7F. Ran a good third in the
ungraded Sham Stakes over 9F. Last start he ran in the GII Caulfield Sprint over 5.5F and
split the class spinters High Chances and Best Kept Secret. Should be close to the leaders
when the hit the wire.
Gotta Go
Champion 3YO who has been very
consistent this year. Won an 8F stakes race in his 2YO year. Hasn’t won this year, but has
been close a number of times. Was last with an injury last start in the 9.5F GI Florida
Derby. Prior to that he was fourth in the 8F GI Caulfield Guineas. Back one more he was a
very close second in the 8.5F GI Fountain Of Youth Stakes. Should be considered as a place
chance.
[b]UAE
Derby[/b]
Duplicate Copy - As You Wish - Do You
Dare
Duplicate Copy
Champion 3YO colt who has done
everything right this year and looks on par to take this one home. Won the GI Caulfield
Guineas over 8F two starts back looking very strong. Then took another GI last start in the
Florida Derby over 9.5F. Can’t fault either of those performances though he is meeting a
couple of horses here for only the first or second time. Big chance.
[b]As You
Wish[/b]
Champion 3YO colt with awesome lines and from a top stable. Has been
hard to fault in each of his five starts this year. Won two stakes, one a 5F GII and the
other a 8F GIII, then placed in a 7.5F GII. After that he had a GI start in the 8.5F GI
Fountain Of Youth and never looked like he settled finishing seventh. Came back last start to
win 10F GII Robinson Stakes going away over a good field. Will be hard to beat if he gets his
run.
Do You Dare
Champion 3YO colt from award winning stable
who is beautifully bred. Has been improving all year with a number of strong allowance runs.
Shocked a few people when he absolutely trounced a class field in the GI Spring Champion
Stakes over 10F. Had no luck when fifth in the 10F GII Robinson Stakes last start. Will be
hard to beat if he can regain his Spring Champion Stakes form.
<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Dubai Sheema
Classic[/b]
Candidate - Highland Grace - Doc
Hollywood
Candidate
Grand Champion 4YO stallion who won
2008’s Kentucky Derby. Has won on every ground over almost every distance. Has resumed well
this year with some good stakes placings and awesome win in the 8F GI Epsom Handicap.
Relevant to this he was third in the 11.5F GIII Newcastle Gold Cup behind Witness and he was
second behind Cutless in the 12F GII Winning Edge Stakes. Should be hard to
beat.
Highland Grace
World Champion 5YO mare from a top
stable. Hasn’t come back this year showing the same dominace she did last year, but you
can’t take anything away from her. Three starts back was second to Twilight Embers in the 8F
GI Santa Maria Handicap. Then won 9F GII Rampart Handicap and last start she won the GIII 7F
Tristac Stakes. Hard to say if she’ll stay the distance, but don’t discount
her.
Doc Hollywood
Grand Champion 4YO stallion with lines to
die for. Has run some solid races against top competition. Yet to find some luck on turf, but
dirt wise he’s been racing strongly. Was third in National Post’s GI Santa Anita Handicap
over 10F. Last start he was third behind Orion’s Bell in the ungraded San Pedro Stakes over
9.5F. He’ll be in the finish, but it is hard to see him winning.
<span
style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Dubai Golden
Shaheen[/b]
High Chances - The Patriot - Dreamboat
[b]High
Chances[/b]
National Champion 5YO stallion who’s got strong claims on being the
best sprinter around. Has won four from five this year and is impossible to fault. His only
lost came in the 6F GIII Baguette Stakes when he went down second to Best Kept Secret. Has
won at 6F twice this year at GIII and GII level. Has won a GI over 7F, the Invitation Stakes,
beating The Patriot. Last start he won the GII Caulfield Sprint over 5.5F. Looks set to add
this to his crown.
The Patriot
National Champion 4YO gelding
who also is one of the top sprinters. Seven starts for five wins, a second and a sixth this
year. Has only met High Chances once this year in the GI 7F Invitation Stakes where he
finished second. However, he has since been on a winning streak bringing home two GIII 7F
stakes and a GII 5F stakes. Will be hard to run down if he can find the
lead.
Dreamboat
National Champion 4YO mare who is so far the
best sprinting mare this year. Has raced seven times this year for four wins and three
seconds. Can’t fault that when she’s run second over unsuitible distances to the likes of
Twilight Embers, Celtic Glory and Chief’s Lady. Yet to face the boys this year, but with
three of her stakes wins being at 6F and the other at 7F, she’s a strong chance to cause an
upset.
[b]Dubai Duty
Free[/b]
Ring Of Fire - King David - Witness
[b]Ring Of
Fire[/b]
National champion 4YO stallion who is looking like he’s maturing into a
top horse this year. Has start five times for four wins. His loss was a third to over 12F in
Witness’s GI Caulfield Cup. Back to a much better distance here. He’s won two GI races this
year, one the 9F Barretts Stakes beating Cutlass and Foolhardy, and the other the 8F George
Main Stakes beating Witness and Foolhardy. Will be very hard to beat in
this.
King David
International Champion 4YO stallion who needs
no introduction. Has started five times for four wins and a third. The third was in the 7F
GII Warwick Stakes to American Starz and Foolhardy. Has since won over all the best turf
horses, though he hasn’t met Ring Of Fire. Best run when winning The Metropolitan over 12F
at GI level over Foolhardy and Witness. Will be tough to beat and is sure to give his
all.
Witness
Grand Champion 3YO colt who is really shaping
into a top turf horse. Has been hard to fault this year, a lone fourth being his worse
placing in American Starz’s 7F GII Warwick Stakes. Has run against all of the best horses
and managed to consistently show his class. Best of his four stakes wins this year was in the
10F GI Cox Plate when he shot around the field to win over American Starz and Foolhardy. If
he can get a clear run he’ll be hard to run down.
Also deserving a
mention…
Foolhardy
Internatonal Champion 5YO stallion who
gives his all every race. Oldest horse in the field. Has raced nine times and hasn’t
finished below third this year. Has won two GI’s in his three wins for the year including
the 6F Manikato Stakes over Worth The Work and Whistler’s Point and the 12F Caulfield Cup
over Witness and Ring Of Fire. Not going in his favour is that he has been beaten this year
by every horse in the field bar one. Not sure if he’s rested enough for this. Strong place
chance though.
American Starz
Champion 3YO colt who seems to
be on the improve. Has won two GII stakes this year, the best being in the 7F Warwick Stakes
when he downed a class field including Foolhardy, King David and Witness. Has had a number of
good stakes placing also including his last start second in the GI 10F Cox Plate behind
Witness and infront of Foolhardy. Strong 3YO who if he has a good run should manage a
place.
