Want To Make Some Money

Hello all and welcome to freezing Tasmania where we only have 2 big races for the day. These races are the Bead Two Turf Sprint Stakes and the race I will cover the Turf Invaders Stakes. Expecting a small crowd with the cold days even if it will be a nice sunny day on Saturday, but for those who turn up, you will see some nice racing. This will be the 12th time this race is run, and back in 2001 to 2008 this was a Group 1 race with $500k in prize money, but was downgraded to a Group 2 race in 2009. The most impressive winner of the race would have to be COOL BRO when he won with a speed figure of 124 in 2003. As you can see any of the runners can win this race if they produce their best run.

Race: Turf Invaders Stakes (12th running)
Class: Grade II (Group2)
Distance: A mile and one eighth (1800m)
Track Condition: Firm Turf
Prize Money: $250,000
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up

PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2001: WEST OF THE SEA sp:109
2002: MARS CHAT sp:110
2003: COOL BRO sp:124
2004: POPULAR ALM sp:114
2005: DREAMING OF LAUREN sp:107
2006: MANNART TORNADO sp:109
2007: SIP OF SAKI sp:112
2008: MAMBO WILDCAT(KY) sp:117
2009: RODE ME HARD(KY) sp:110
2010: RARE MEDAL(KY) sp:105
2011: D.C. BLUEGRASS(KY) sp:112

And now for this years field:

PP#1 172275 VIRCHOW(KY) simhispano S Pinkston $6
6yo Br Horse by GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x MR. PROSPECTOR
Starts: 32:11-7-4
Money Earnt: $331,080
Distance Starts: 17:7-2-3
Class Starts: 3:0-0-1
Best Run: 25/6/11 OT 1800m GRP2 3-11 sp:113
Last 5 Starts: 31132

This old timer is still in fine shape and that would have to be cause his owner has looked after him. Has great form at the distance, but is yet to win at this class from 3 starts. This will be his first start at the track but I’m sure S Pinkston will have no trouble giving him every chance of winning from gate 1. Has been improving with every start and really finished strong last start out, so he must be considered as an each-way chance.

PP#2 115627 DRAINING THE WELL(IRE) knightcat M Bailey $8
6yo Br Horse by SADLER’S WELLS x DYNAFORMER
Starts: 34:7-8-2
Money Earnt: $207,875
Distance Starts: 9:4-0-1
Class Starts: First Start
Best Run: 3/3/12 TZ 1800m NW2S 1-13 sp:107
Last 5 Starts: 14022

Another older horse who is also well looked after, but he is the longshot of the race. Doesn’t do bad at the distance, but is stepping up to GRP2 level for the first time. Has only onced placed in a stakes race from five starts and no doubt this will be a tough ask, but the advantage is he has won at this track earlier this year. M Bailey has picked up the ride on him today and will have to do some of his best work to bring him in the race. His last 2 starts were both seconds but was never close to the winner and I think he will struggle here.

PP#3 33801 THE REAL DYL(IRE) stcmead A Tazdevil $7
5yo Br Horse by DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x SMART STRIKE
Starts: 25:7-5-2
Money Earnt: $342,192
Distance Starts: 5:1-1-0
Class Starts: 2:0-0-0
Best Run: 8/10/11 CA 2000m GRP1 1-7 sp:109
Last 5 Starts: 18405

This five year old is looking to bounce back into form, but not so sure he should try it here. Has never won or even placed at this class, but has won a GRP1 race before so what does that mean? Well given that he was at big odds and hasn’t done much else in group races, it must have been a one off. First start at the track and has A Tazdevil and barrier 3 which is to his advantage, but I think he will find this a bit too hard.

PP#4 47933 LUCKY’S ARBUCKLE(KY) heavenly1 De Hall $5
5yo Br Horse by DISTORTED HUMOR x MONTJEU (IRE)
Starts: 29:9-5-3
Money Earnt: $632,103
Distance Starts: 6:2-1-0
Class Starts: 3:0-2-0
Best Run: 2/6/12 NB 1700m STKS 1-12 sp:114
Last 5 Starts: 41311

This horse is looking to win three in a row, and has done well at the class and distance. His best run came last start out in a 1700m stakes race where he sat behind the leaders and pounced in the home stretch for a good win. This will be his first start at the track and De Hall will have his hands full with him. The bookies have given him odds of 5/1 which is means they are thinking he is one of the main chances. For me an in form horse is a dangerous one, and he must be considered as a danger.

PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG) u2love J Harzheim $4.5
6yo Br Horse by SINGSPIEL(IRE) x WILD AGAIN
Starts: 26:9-2-6
Money Earnt: $954,935
Distance Starts: 2:2-0-0
Class Starts: 2:0-0-1
Best Run: 21/1/12 CA 2000m GRP2 3-13 sp:115
Last 5 Starts: 53401

This horse is looking to become a millionare in winning this race. He has only the 2 starts at this distance for 2 wins in allowance and stakes company, but has placed once from 3 starts at the class. First start at the track but has J Harzheim who is the top jockey on the track, and he will no doubt be confident of a win on him. Started racing in group races this time last year with a win in a GRP3 & GRP1 but has always put in a good effort. I can really see him doing well here and will be hard to beat.

PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY) lgbost2yop N Lawless $4.5
5yo Br Horse by HENRYTHENAVIGATOR x GHOSTZAPPER
Starts: 39:12-9-4
Money Earnt: $1,556,690
Distance Starts: 12:5-5-1
Class Starts: 10:1-2-3
Best Run: 3/9/11 E1 1800m GRP3 2-10 sp:117
Last 5 Starts: 25141

Another horse who the bookies think is one of the main chances. Has only once missed a placing from 12 starts at the distance and that was at a rain affected track. Has 1 win at the class but has placed another 5 times from 10 starts at the class. Three starts at the track for three seconds, but it’s the first ride for N Lawless on him. He is a big shot here in a quality field.

PP#7 38368 TARA’S CAPE(IRE) bredtosell K Hawkz $5
4yo Ch Colt by CAPE CROSS (IRE) x GENEROUS(IRE)
Starts: 17:4-5-1
Money Earnt: $163,915
Distance Starts: First Start
Class Starts: First Start
Best Run: 26/5/12 DB 1600m NW2T 2-11 sp:110
Last 5 Starts: 75221

The first of 2 colts in the race, and he may not have the race experience of some but the bookies fancy him. First start at the class, track, and distance is a bit of a worry. Has K Hawkz on his back who has been riding well, and has been racing well his last 3 starts. I think he is a 50/50 chance here today cause we don’t know how he will handle the step up in class.

PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB) tflyer D Rigdon $3
4yo Br Colt by PIVOTAL(GB) x BERNARDINI
Starts: 22:10-2-2
Money Earnt: $429,573
Distance Starts: 5:1-0-1
Class Starts: 1:0-0-0
Best Run: 26/5/12 OT 1700m GRP3 1-10 sp:116
Last 5 Starts: 11614

Last runner in the field and our early favourite. He is the other colt in the race, but has tasted group races since he was a 2yo. Don’t think he will be troubled by the class even if he hasn’t been placed at the class. Has the experienced D Rigdon on his back which will help as this is his first start at the track. Expect him to bounce back from his last start and he is the one to beat.

Good luck to all

TIPS:

My Tips:
PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB)
PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG)
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY)

Tips by Odds:
PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB)
PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG)
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY)

Tips by Best speed:
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY)
PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB)
PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG)

Tips by Money Earnt:
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY)
PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG)
PP#4 47933 LUCKY’S ARBUCKLE(KY)

Tips by Most Wins:
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY)
PP#1 172275 VIRCHOW(KY)
PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB)

Final Ratings:
PP#6 112721 GPS TO FINISH LINE(KY) 11 points
PP#8 77724 WARPED EMOTION(GB) 9 points
PP#5 163369 HOWLING WIND(ENG) 7 points
PP#1 172275 VIRCHOW(KY) 2 points
PP#4 47933 LUCKY’S ARBUCKLE(KY) 1 point