DUR Belgium 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes
by Darcy “Dingo” MacPhee
An Australian (and friends) Invasion of Belgium
Pascal (woette1) and Down Under Racing bring you the Belgium 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes, Where 12 of the residencies 3 year old colts and geldings and 2 fillies see if they have what is required to take on the best Turf 3 year old milers in Late April.
I have finally managed a cheap flight to the Continent, and have just landed in Brussels International, and at the moment its even money which I find first my luggage or my ride. A quick phone call tells me that it will have be my luggage as my ride is still in Ostend entering his horses and breeding more 2 year olds. He did at least tell me where to catch the train to Ostend and said he will send the son in law to get me at the station (if he is awake).
Luggage finally located train ticket in my pocket I settle into my first class seat for the nearly 3 hour direct train ride to Ostend, figuring I should have time to get this article finished before Pascal makes his threat to show me how good Belgian beer is, a reality. In the cause of honest journalism I order an ice cold bottle of Pascal’s favorite beer, “Leffe”, just to make sure it is drinkable. Looking over the field of 14 the 1st thing that is noticeable is these Belgian bookies are setting a wide book on the race with odds of 5/1 all the way out to 90/1. With the field split evenly between those at single figure odds and those 10/1 and higher.
No. 1 ALL ABOUT WAR – Trainer Matt (“houseriot” Stables)
The first of two fillies entered for Saturday’s race, she has 3 of her 9 race starts including the last 2 against the boys, with a win and two 2nd places. However, she has only ever raced over a mile once and it was the only time she didn’t cash a cheque. She stalked the pace in that race and faded badly in the run home.
Looks to be in the race to give the boys something to chase, but unlikely to trouble the judge and seems to be under the odds at 10/1.
No.2 MAKFI ME AN OZZY – Trainer Mat (“chips4u2c” Stables)
Has only 2 race starts with his only race start this year being his Maiden win, showed some promise to run home strongly over 1400 metres. Looks more like an entry to convince Mrs Chips that a trip to Europe was warranted. Although we haven’t seen him here as yet, so maybe he still hasn’t been forgiven for watching his Anniversary Race from his Gold Coast couch.
With only 2 races and yet to try a mile, not one I would consider a chance on Saturday at 24/1
No. 3 WIN NEY – Trainer Daniel (“3dddz” Stables)
The other of the two fillies running on Saturday, it took her 6 of her lifetime 7 starts to break her maiden, as her last 2 year old start. Her last start and 1st as a 3 year old showed her trainer that she does seem to prefer the mile to going much further. She has improved her SP every time she has raced, and will need to do so again to be considered a threat.
Her trainer has set her a tough assignment up against the boys, the bookies agree and have her at 17/1
No. 4 GROOMED IN GOLD – Trainer Linton (“dingo333” Stables)
Comes into Saturday’s race off only 2 lifetime starts, his last being a New Years Eve win in his 2 year old Maiden. Being brought along slowly, this race is definitely a sighter race to see where he is at, but I can say that high hopes are held for a bold showing on Saturday, on the back of his very brief career so far.
As this horse is owned and trained by my alter ego, I will just say that the whole town of Black Stump will be watching and have already taken the lucrative 12/1 odds.
No. 5 MAGNA IMPACTA – Trainer Kevin (“selurnivek” Stables)
Comes to the races as oner of the most experienced horses in the field, although its only in his last 2 starts he has tried going around two turns. His last start (first as a 3 year old) showed his trainer that he is definitely ready to step up with a hard charging 3rd (losing by less than a length) over 1800 metres. Has definitely shown his best form when ridden patiently and held up for a late run in the straight.
If can handle the drop back to a mile, should be closing hard down the lane. He is the first of our 7 horses at single figure odds of 9/1.
No. 6 BRAND SNOB – Trainer Kevin (“worldclass” Stables)
The second of this trainer’s runners, and his choice for the Trainer points on offer, (not that you can read anything into that as last week his non-choice filly won the 1000 Guineas Trial). This horse comes into the race with a near faultless resume with 2 wins and 4 2nd place finishes from his last 6 starts, including a listed stakes 2nd place in his only start as a 3 year old. Like his stable mate he charged home in the lane to just fail by under a length in a solid 100 + SP.
Form and times say he is a definite threat on Saturday, and the course Bookies agree setting him at 6/1
No. 7 BONDI BEACH LYPH – Trainer Mat (“lindsypark” Stables)
Finishing his 2 year old season with three less than remarkable listed stakes runs, his trainer decided that his 1st 3 year old start should also be his first over a mile. Leading all the way he romped home in a NW2x allowance and was eased down at the line running a very impressive 99+ SP. Deciding to wear the penalty he was shipped in to Belgium from the USA just for this race.
With his eye catching 1st up run as a 3 year old, not only did his trainer take notice so did the Bookies who have him a solid 7/1 for Saturday’s race.
No. 8 WHITE BONES – Trainer Kain (“ksparrow” Stables)
The most winningest horse in the field with 5 from 9 lifetime starts. As a 2 year old winning his 1st start in a $20000 Maiden Claimer he went on to record 2 wins and 2 3rds from his next 4 starts. Trainer Kain then set his sights high and had a tilt at the Group 1 Golden Shoe, a rather poor 11th place had him send the horse to the Vets for the Golden Snip. His return to racing 2 months later resulted in instant success with Starter allowance wins in his last starts as a 2 year old. He then pushed ahead and he finished a very credible 3rd at his only 3 year old start in the Group 2 “Joystick Dirty Time” Stakes with an SP of 102+.
This horses form class and speed have him right at the top of this group of 3 year olds, as he goes to the track our favorite at 5/1.
No. 9 GREEN SKY JUJU – Trainers Tracie & Mark (“riviere” Stables)
The unknown horse of the race, bred in Italy he spent his yearling years in the green hills of Tuscany, before being shipped to Belgium last November where he debuted over 1400 metres and stalking the pace ran home for an easy win going to the line hard held. He then was sent straight back to his Tuscany paddock where he has been enjoying his life. Now he is back here in Belgium and has everyone wondering what is next. It was as though his trainers Tracie & Mark knew this race was on the horizon, and gave him a prep run at the track last year.
They are obviously believers that he has something special to show, however, the Bookies disagree and have set him at 90/1.
No. 10 ZELDATA – Trainer Jamie (“guru” Stables)
With 3 wins from his 7 starts, his best form came as soon as he was sent over a mile or more, after 2 allowance wins, trainer Jamie sent him for his next two runs in listed stakes company where he managed two 3rd placings. Jamie does say that a very small dip in his SP in his 1st 3 year old start was disappointing, but he remains positive that this horse will put up a bold showing come race day.
Will need to show some improvement on his last run, but has every possibility of doing so, and it seems at 8/1 the local Bookmakers agree.
(Note: Jamie is having some health issues and undergoing some tests currently, and we all at Down Under Racing wish him all the best for a speed return to full health.)
No.11 THE REAL AUS BOSS – Trainer Johnno (“johnno” Stables)
Has improved his SP at every one of his eight starts, he comes to the race on Saturday unbeaten as a 3 year old with 2 wins from 2 starts in conditional Allowances. His best efforts have been when allowed to roll along just off the pace, but he will find it difficult to take a sit from the wide barrier draw. He may well have to take on this race from further back than he prefers.
A definite threat if he manages to get the race run to suit, at 9/1 you should definitely keep in mind for your exotics.
No. 12 WOETTE’S PIERRO – Trainer Pascal (“woette1” Stables)
The first of two runners for this race’s sponsor, he is Pascal’s pick of the pair. With just his maiden win so far in his career of 4 starts his form looks a little light on. The you take a closer look at that win, his only 3 year old start and you see he led from barrier to post and wasn’t even shown the whip yet still coasted in by over 3 lengths. Having flown him in from New York on a special charter flight, Pascal is already talking him up and getting ready to host his DUR mates at the Saturday night party.
The word has definitely got around the locals that Pascal has high hopes and on the strength of local support he has been backed in from 16/1 to be only 8/1 now.
No. 13 KODIAK WHISPERER – Trainer Simon (“rwhisper” Stables)
This unbeaten colt is 2 for 2, but in much lower grade, with a Maiden and a HOT allowance to his credit. Yet to break an 80 SP, his HOT allowance was a hands and heels ride over the mile. His trainer says that he used that HOT race as a tune up for his main goal, of a win on Saturday. He hasn’t been shown in public since that win, and his trainer is keeping everything very much on the QT.
With very little to go on, we can only see what the market says and at 17/1 it doesn’t say much to give any confidence.
No. 14 WOETTE’S COMET – Trainer Pascal (“zeco” Stables)
The second of Pascal’s 2 horses, he is the only Stakes winner in the field. He has won 3 of his 8 starts, but his one and only run over the mile resulted in an 11th place finish, but with his fastest recorded SP of 93. Pascal has given the ride to his wife, although he did confide that was to stop her nagging at him for drinking too many “LEFFE’s” with his crazy Australian friends at the races.
Distance is a definite concern with Pascal’s 2nd runner, and at 10/1 would have to be taken on trust.
That rounds out the 9 colts 3 geldings and 2 fillies that will go to the start of this race tomorrow, the crowds are gathering and most of the owners and trainers have made the pilgrimage to Belgium for this the 2nd of two donated Stakes races. Pascal and his family have promised a great day, hopefully it will be a little warmer on race day, this is definitely not the shorts and t-shirt weather an Queenslander is used to.
Still no sign of Mat (chips), the word out is that his lovely wife of 30 years said “you couldn’t take me to Ireland to see our horse win, and now you want to bugga off to Belgium to see some gluepot run last, get out and mow the lawn ya lazy @#$%”.
That being said most everyone else I believe have already arrived and the party has started, my train has arrived and it must be Pascal’s son-in-law who is waving at me.
Have to run all hope you can back a winner – if it was golf I would be yelling FOREEEEEE!!!!!!
nice mate !! GL to all
DUR Rules
Nice write up bro!! Good Luck Peeps