King Kong Mile – Big Field, Talented Field, Fast Field.

Lotta Laughs

Talented 5yo out of A.P.Indy and with over a million bucks in career earnings.   Consistently over the 100 speed ratings in all if races for the last 12 months with a career high speed rating of 118 about this time last year in a G3 race which he won.  That was his last win and since then has got a few placings but probably not as successful year as the trainer might have been hoping for.  Still a very talented horse here and can certainly take this out (as can most of these) if he has his day.  Definitely backable for a place.

 

Cavitation

4yo colt out of Sea The Stars (IRE), has produced his own cavitation behind him as he has run some very good races of late.  That includes 2 2^nd place finishes at G1 level 2 runs back which had followed a string of wins in Graded company including G1 races.  Career speed rating high of 119 back in August of this year – has had a very successful year to date.  Coming up to Christmas, he will be wanting to make this another win for the year!  Excellent and very good chance here.

 

A Royal Spin

In form 2 runs back with a win at G3 level and a speed of 112!  Last run out though was a disappointment at G1 level and was found wanting and spinning into oblivion towards the end of that race.  A royal spin of course!  The thing that Im thinking here is can this 5yo do another royal spin but the other way – towards the finish line!.  Imagine that, a skip a spin and he’s suddenly leading and taking this out.  One can only wait and see but like all the others has proven he can run at this level and speed to win.  Back a royal spin the right way and make some money.

 

Fantasmagorical

What a fantastic name!!! 3yo colt out of Dynaformer and so is a young baby in this race but makes up for any misgivings there by his name.  At 18 to 1 odds, one could be forgiven for thinking this one is a slow horse.  Far from that – his last race was a 112 speed rating and closing for a 2^nd place finish at Stakes level over this distance. Race prior was another 2^nd place finish at G1 level.  Yet to win in graded company and yet is knocking at the door saying let me in my little friends!  And let him in will happen very soon with those sort of runs.  Worth backing just for the name.  Very big chance and could easily surprise here.

 

Kepler Cry Cry Cry

Another of the more long shot types, and this one is guaranteed to make the punters cry.  He has before that’s for sure.  4yo out of Street Cry (IRE), stormed into Graded company racing with 2 sensational wins at G1 level which was then followed by a trouncing of the punters with a last place finish last time out in a field of 13 runners.  Was nowhere near the leaders unless you call being within 20 lengths close.  The difference with his last run was that it was over  10 furlongs rather than his previous two races at 8 furlongs.  Which is what this race is.  Which gives him a good chance to take this out.  If he has his form back.    A few if’s here.  Can run though.  Just be ready to cry.

 

Sun Dynasty

Such a good field this and Sun Dynasty is no different.  Some very good racing of late including last time out win over 8 furlongs  in the G1 Breeders Bowl Mile and a speed of 116.  Backing of that should be favourite here and that’s exactly what he is.  Well equal favourite anyway with Cavitation.  The other point of note is that this 3yo racing career is 11 runs for 8 wins and 3 2^nd place finishes.  That right – has never finished worse than 2^nd place.  How about having this one in your barn!!!  On that note looks the goods for a win really.  Pure talent here. And speed!  My pick for today.

 

Wildcat Waltz

From the moment he was born he was destined to party.  Not only because of his name which in itself gave him something to live up to, something to live and breathe wherever he was but also because of his immense partying which is now a given after every win he gets on the track.  And with 9 wins now in 15 races those parties are just getting bigger, wilder and crazier than ever.  Specially the parties which come after a graded stakes win.  Which is whats happened in his last 2 races.  Win at G2 and G3 level. Now he wants to make today a G1 win.  Go for it my friend – I’ll be at the party for sure!

 

Danedream

9 wins out of 14 runs but still yet to get the G1 win.  Plenty in graded company though including wins at both levels, G2 and G3.  Out of Danehill Dancer (IRE), is very well bred and has an extremely nice career already as a 3yo.  The question is can he go from his dreams of winning a G1 and make it into a reality on the track today. I think he can if he puts his mind to it, has a little bit of luck and throws some cash the right way before the race J.    Not that I would ever really propose that. Of course!  Probably has a 50/50 chance of winning in this field but not a long shot by any means.  Should run well and be just behind placings is my guess.

 

Outback Andy

Outback Andy is the oldest horse in this race which makes him the wisest out of this lot.  Can he win though?  Has been running reasonably well and the 8 furlongs is certainly his distance.  Of late each time he has been thrown up to the G1 he hasn’t been able to dominate it.  The trainer has wisely put him back to Allowance racing and he wins.  So that’s pretty where we are at here.  Probably getting a bit old now however could still very much surprise.  Knows what winning at G1 level is all about.  Experienced, wiser – just needs to make his legs go a tad faster one more time!

 

Pure Agony

That’s what I experience each time one of my horses run.  Absolute pure agony at not winning.  I have nothing even approaching the class of these!  This one though has given anything but pure agony to his trainer.  Winning consistently at stakes and graded level including G2  but yet to see a win at G1 level.  Very much in form though coming off 2 G2 wins.   A little step back in pace from some of these but has been building well with each race he runs.  Probably considered a longshot but not as long as some in other races which are considered longshots.  And THAT probably didn’t make sense but I refuse to amend or remove it.  Read at your will!

 

Middle Name Danger

And so we see the first of 2 horses that I will be naturally biased too considering that they are Australian sired horses. This 4yo colt out of the famous Redoute’s Choice (AUS) is well bred with Kingmambo and Sadler’s Wells in his lineage.  Well presented and fast but I think he is really looking for longer than what is on offer here today.  Has come close a few times over 8 furlongs but has always been closing fast but falling short.  Would have a better chance in my opinion if this was over 9 or 10 furlongs.

 

Sushi Sushi

Also out of ReDoute’s Choice (AUS), he is the longshot of this field.  Bit of a cult following now with the crowd chanting Sushi Sushi at the same time as eating sushi as he parades pre-race.   Which sometimes becomes a problem as what happened 2 races ago with an older lady was carted off in the ambulance after choking on her sushi and missing his run in third place.  A 3yo colt, came close 2 runs back in a G1 with a third place finish but was then well outclassed in the Breeders Bowl mile finishing well back from the leader.  Is showing some promise though and the trainer is keen to give him another chance at this level and this distance.

 

Forces Of Nature

3yo out of Ghostzapper.  Looks fast. Looks strong. Looks talented.   Has only had the one race in Graded company and that was a G1 last time out with a fast finishing 2^nd place over 8 furlongs.  One of the outer fancied runners on the tote but looks better than what that suggests.  Not a lot of experience at this level but has been well trained and looks like he could challenge again here.  Certainly looks like he has the speed and talent.   One that could really surprise everyone including the runners in this field.

 

Pain in the Mambo

Out of Lemon Drop Kid which immediately gives some credence to the aptly named Pain in the Mambo!  Has been largely successful and competitive in Graded company but just looks a little step behind in speed to a lot of this field.  Which might suggest the 15/1 odds however has placed previously in G3 and G2 and could well run a good race here too.  Something the trainer desperately wants too I would suggest.   Looked like he wanted more distance 2 runs back but then when given it couldn’t press on for the line.  Might be a touch out of his class here but we shall see.