Sweet Sixteen, Young Ladies Classic Bound? – DUR Belgian 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes

By Darcy “Dingo” MacPhee

Down Under Racing (DUR) and Pascal (woette1) bring you the Belgian 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes.

The Background:

A few weeks ago Pascal came to us and said, we need to have a true lead in race to the Classics, so he donated two Stakes Races as lead ins to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.

Initially, when these races were bought we made them for a field of 20 horses, and placed a limit of 2 entries per trainer. With a quick uptake by the residents of DUR, plus the unforeseen rapid growth of the Residency, this was quickly reduced to only 1 entry per trainer, with those having already entered two horses allowed to leave them entered (unless a spot was needed).

History Break: The Classics are the 2,000 Guineas, the 1,000 Guineas, The Oaks, The Derby and the St. Leger and are the races that really matter, like majors in golf or grand slams in tennis. They form the bedrock of the British Flat racing season and are the benchmark on which careers and legends are based and they have serious history. The St. Leger began in 1776, they became collectively known as the Classics in 1815, and ever since have crowned the best three-year-olds in training. The Classics identify the stars of their generation and provide the yearly narrative around which racing revolves.

Lead Up to Race Day:

Saturday will find us at the “Hippodrome Wellington” in Pascal’s hometown of Ostend to watch the inaugural running of the DUR Belgian Trial Stakes. Our Sweet Sixteen 3 year old fillies go to the start on Saturday to see if they have what is needed to cross the English Channel in a month’s time to tackle the first of the “Classics”. In Barrier Order they are:

No. 1 SHIREEN trained by Matt (“houseriot” Stables) ridden by J Holmes

Winner of her 1^st four starts as a 2 year old her trainer Matt gave this Stakes winning filly her first run as a 3 year old in an easy allowance around 1 turn, which she treated more as a training gallop than a race. She loped along in second place for the entire journey. “We just wanted her to have hit out today” is what her trainer Matt was reported to have said after that run. Back at her best distance of a mile on Saturday puts this Raven’s Pass filly in with a great chance.

A definite threat and at 7/1 you will get value for your money. From the 1 gate could possibly lead but if pressured more likely to take a sit behind the pace.

No. 2 INVINCIBLE TWIST trained by Daniel (“3dddz” Stables) ridden by JK Dekeyser

Winner of two of her 4 starts as a 2 year old, her first run this year saw her post a very impressive 10 point SP gain on her best previous time. Daniel her trainer, tells us that this was just the race he was looking for to test his filly out for her first try around two turns. “Saturday, is not a make or break for us, but more of a let’s see what we have here, and then we can plan her future for the rest of 2023.”

Untried at the distance, you would need to take her on trust if you were to invest some hard earned at her pre-post 22/1.

No. 3 JUST WHAM trained by Jamie (“guru” Stables) ridden by J Barnes

Unbeaten at her only 3 starts, her trainer Jamie played the lucky dip game by claiming her for the massive sum of SIM$2000 and 4 Breeding points as an unraced 2 year old last November. With a better than average SP of over 89 last start, where she stalked then passed the leader for a comfortable hands and heels win, she can’t be faulted so far. Will have to hope that her jockey hasn’t been into the cheap wine!

Also untried at the distance, and at 18/1 could cause an upset if she finds two turns to her liking

No. 4 POWER’S DREAM trained by Pascal (“woette1” Stables) ridden by D Kerckaert

Goes to the start on Saturday under a huge handicap, as the sub-stable “barnofstars” doesn’t support DUR but the ESR residency. Therefore, the handicapper decided that her jockey had to carry 20 kg extra and ride blindfolded. Maybe Pascal is using sponsor’s privilege as the handicap was reduced to a warning with a smile, finger wag and a wink (and a case of Leffe under the board room table). Power’s Dream comes into the race as equal most experienced with 9 race starts. Of these her 2 starts over a mile or more have produce 90 plus SP’s albeit with only 1 x 2^nd place.

Not without a chance on times and experience alone at 11/1 she does have an upside, but I just can’t tip an ESR horse in our DUR race.

No. 5 LONGGONE SPIRIT trained Jamie (“guru” Stables) ridden by T Bash

The second of Jaimie’s runners and his nominated selection of his two runners to represent “guru” stables for the trainers contest. Winner of four of her 8 starts including being the only Group winner in the field automatically puts her in the hard to beat category. Her only start as a 3yo was also her only start around 2 turns, resulting in a 5^th place in a Group 3, but her SP was nearly 98. With one of the “Bash Brothers” in the saddle, one thing is certain she will be ridden all the way to the line on Saturday.

Has everything in her favour to make a bold showing on Saturday at 6/1 2^nd favourite. The only question is will she handle the mile or be running out of breath in the last 200 metres.

No. 6 AMERICA LOVES GUNS trained by Kevin (“worldclass” Stables) ridden by L Nielson

The first of two entries by this trainer, and his nominates horse for the trainer’s contest. She comes to the race on Saturday as the 5/1 pre-post favourite. With only two wins from her 7 starts although she has always taken home a check form her races. With two runs as a 3 year old and both in the mid 90’s, she does have a recent experience advantage over most of the field. Also she has a BIG BUT, no not her rear end, BUT the fact she has never raced on the grass.

Ultra Consistent filly who is likely to get reward for her efforts IF she can handle running on the green, just whether the reward is the Major prize we will have to wait for Saturday’s race.

No. 7 ALMA SHAM trained by Tricia & Mark (“riviere” Stables) ridden by T Littleton

Will start the race on Saturday a Maiden, with 2 3rd places from her only 2 starts, the last of which she had a massive 23 SP jump from 2 to 3 year old posting a 90 SP and was charging home at the end of the race. That was also her 1st run around 2 turns, and she will have only benefited from the experience.

I expect her to be passing more horses in the straight than pass her, and at the eye watering odds of 66/1 I believe she is worth a little each way tickle.

No. 8 FAST AS F trained by Mat (“lindsypark” Stables) ridden by B Count

Improving every time she goes to the track, but yet to live up to her hopeful name, she did stretch out nicely for a last start allowance win over 1500 metres easing away hands and heels down the straight. Saturday will be another having her 1^st attempt at the mile, and will be looking for someone to take out the race at a solid pace so she can draft in behind before trying to take off as Fast As F in the straight.

With her pre-post odds hovering at 18/1, the Bookies are not considering her a threat, but I wouldn’t be surprised by a forward showing if the race is run to suit her.

No. 9 BONEPACTION trained by Kain (“ksparrow” Stables) ridden by Ji Walsh

The other of two fillies in the race with 9 races on her resume and another that has never run past 1500 metres. Blessed with natural speed, and her desire to lead in her races, she looks to ready to fulfil that role again on Saturday. Her last 3 starts have all been in Listed Stakes over either 1400 or 1500 metres, and she has tired in the last 200 metres of each after leading to go down by 2lengths in all 3. With 2 wins and 6 minor placings (and a 4^th) she has been super consistent and a great earner for her owner/trainer.

At 8/1 she is the longest price of the 4 horses in single figure odds, again the query of running out the mile, but her class should see her finish in the top 5

No. 10 DIRTY TALK trained by Johnno (“johnno” Stables) ridden by L Maes

With her only win so far coming in a Maiden Allowance at her 5^th start, her biggest up side is that she has run the has had 4 consecutive runs over a mile or longer, and has been consistent without setting any records. I tried to ask Johnno how he came to name his filly, but the only reply I received was No talk. However, the fillies strapper Kristie, gave me a wink and said Johnno didn’t name her his wife did, Kristie then smiled and walked off.

A 15/1 shot in the early markets, she will need to improve on her latest runs, but the experience over the distance will play in her favour.

No. 11 GIZMO GADGET trained by Linton (“dingo333” Stables) ridden by B Wheeling

This filly had a very promising start to her career winning 3 of her 1^st 4 races on the grass, missing on her 3^rd run when trying both a Group 3 and a mile. Her only start as a 3 year old was a rather disappointing 2^nd in an average SP of 84. Would need a big boost in form to trouble this field and is only running for the experience

A 24/1 chance with in reality little to no chance of finishing in the Top 10. Yes a brutal judgement, but honest and besides it is my horse!

No. 12 DOWN UNDER SPUR trained by Matty (“chips4u2c” Stables) ridden by F Trossard

Strangely, this horse was named before Down Under Racing Residency came into being, so is very aptly named. With 5 lifetime starts all over a mile to 1700 metres and with 2 wins in her 1^st and last starts, she comes to Saturday’s race on the back of her only two runs on the grass both being on rain soaked tracks. So without a real guide to her form on a firm track, she will need to be taken on trust.

Considered a 12/1 chance by the bookies, there must have been some money for her (and I am informed it isn’t from the stable)

No. 13 JOYTORIO trained by Kevin (“selurnivek” Stables) ridden by B O Brindle

With 3 wins from her 7 starts all coming over sprint distances, Kevin stretched her out in 2 Group races to end her 2 year old and start her 3 year old seasons. With SP’s in the 89 to 91 range she got too far out of her ground early and although running home was too far back to trouble the judge. There is no doubting she has ability, but it may well lay in distances under a mile.

At 11/1 she is on the 5^th line of the betting with 2 other fillies, I agree with Kevin that I believe his other filly has the better chance of his 2 runners on Saturday

No. 14 AUNTY PODES trained by Simon (“groupies” Stables) ridden by M Bouzidi

It is clear that a trade mark training method used by Simon is to not let his horses get comfortable, he switches distances and surfaces on a whim. Aunty is coming off a nice allowance when over a mile on Dirt, where she coasted home by just under 2 lengths. If she gets a little boost for the change back to grass it would put her right up in the finish

Starting at 12/1 and in the very strong groupies stables, she definitely cannot be left out of calculations

No. 15 RASMUS BLANCO trained by Kim (“rasmus” Stables) ridden by B Markie

With 7 career starts for 2 wins she is another 1^st and last filly. With both her wins around the shorter course,  she has had 3 tries at a mile or longer, with her best result a 2^nd in an allowance 2 starts back over 9 furlongs. She has managed to push her SP’s into the low 90’s for those last 2 runs, and that alone shows her versatility.

Another of the 3 fillies at 11/1 she must be considered in a very tough race

No. 16 WOETTE’S ICEBOMB trained by Pascal (“zeco” Stables) ridden by P Lannoo

All is good with this entry, as she is in a Stable supporting DUR, and therefore by default is Pascal’s runner for the trainer’s points. In an all family affair his grandson takes the ride, and of recent months they have made a formidable partnership. Yet to have a start as a 3 year old Pascal is bringing “The Bomb” along slowly, especially after less than auspicious run in the Group 1  Juvenile Filly last start

At 16/1 and our last of 16 runners to look at for this race I hope she doesn’t make it a trifecta of 16’s.

Well punters now it is up to you as I do not give out tips on Residency races, but with so many of the fillies having unanswered questions against their names, it should make for a very close finish on Saturday. Good luck to all and come back next week when the boys go around in the 2000 Guineas Trial again brought to you by Pascal and DUR.

For those interested in joining a new fun vibrant and exciting Residency check out our website at Down Under Racing and help us reach our next target of 2000 plus individual stables (Currently at 1045 stables).

I was going to say goodbye now, but although I can’t give you a tip on the race no-one said I can’t drop a few hints

Nudge nudge wink wink, it’s a very ROUGH road that Highway 66 and it would be a SHAMe to miss such chance. A SHIRE ENd to a good day would be to back a winner

Good Luck and Good Punting to you all

Darcy “Dingo” MacPhee