The Phar Lap Cup

Well welcome back to this edition of The Black Type Bugler, this is a pleasant change from the scenery in Tasmania where I was the beat reported but I have decided to spread my wings and start covering a graded race each week.

This week I have jumped on the plane and headed north to New South Wales to cover the Grade I Phar Lap Cup, Phar Lap here in Australia other wise known as Big Red is the greatest of them all of Australian turf so lets see if any of these 9 runners can emulate his great feats.

This race is at Grade I level over a mile and three quarters on the Firm Turf course and worth $500,000 and open to all horses, 4 years old and up.   

So lets have a look through the field and assess their chances.

#1 Here Comes Eddie trained by Jrisquez. One of the outsiders of the field and a winner of 4 races. He has not won since winning a $15000 claiming race 6 starts back by a nose. Steps back onto the turf this week after 4 runs on the dirt but with speed figures in the low 80’s at best over this type of distance her will certainly struggle to finish at the pointy end on the field.

#2 Urko’s Fantasy trained by Urko. Solid horse here by Foyer and a winner of 6 races. He is well experienced at this class with a Grade II start last time out and a Grade I start 3 starts back over the 16 furlongs. Just seems to have been struggling for form in the Graded races but does have good form in the ungraded stakes with a win over the 14 furlongs 6 starts back. Capable runner at his best with 95+ speed figures and looks to be a chance to run a place at his best.

#3 Dandy Fire trained by Irisquez. By El Dorado Bob and a winner of 10 races. Steps right up in class here to a Grade I race after a nice but well beaten second in an ungraded stakes last time out. Steps back onto the turf and could that trick work here! Would need significant improvement from his speed figures in the mid 80’s. Perhaps a rough place chance at his best with the change in surface.

#4 Tonnochi Road trained by Wagkombi. Beautifully bred filly here by Rainbow Quest and a winner of 8 races from 25 starts. Looks to love these distances with 3 wins from her past 4 starts. She will look to dominate by going straight to the lead and get right out in front and play catch me if you can. The only query is the step back to Grade I company, last time she was well held in this class but with extra stakes experience, has she taken the next step? She will be very hard to catch!

#5 Rainbow Mist trained by Pegasus. Well bred horse by Rainbow Quest and a winner of 9 races from 38 starts. He is a winner of 2 of his last 3 races in Allowance company but did come from behind and win solidly with 90+ speed figures. Stepping up slightly in distance which will assist and will certainly be running on strongly in the stretch. He has performed solidly in stakes company before and should handle the class rise. One of the major contenders.

#6 Dante trained by 2ofus. The favorite and a winner of 15 races from 48 starts. This guy is the class of the field as he is ranked #5 in the long turf division. He is highly experienced in Graded company with a solid third in the Gold Class 2 starts back and a great second in the GSR Cup 5 starts back. He has consistently posted 100+ speed figures over these distances and he is definitely the one they have to beat here!

#7 Hopefully Rattle trained by Winnerscir. Solid horse by Sewickley and a winner of 6 from 34 races. Another who will look to take the lead and see if they can catch him, but might struggle if he doesn’t get the lead. Has some solid speed figures in the low 90’s and won an open allowance with a 90 speed figure 2 starts back. This guy will be around the mark and he is a place chance here.

#8 Days Of Thunder trained by Pharlap1. Nice filly here by Dayjur but a winner of 3 from 21 races. She is eligible for much easier races and she was nearly distanced last start in eth Mad Belief Bonanza Stakes. She does have ability as evidenced by the 87 speed figure 3 starts back but she would prefer something much easier than this race.

#9 My I Sword trained by Bluebandit. The outsider of the field and a winner of 2 from 17 races. Again this guy is eligible for much easier races that this and he has not had a stakes race in his past 8 races and in fact only broke his maiden 7 races ago and won his second race the following start with a 64 speed figure. Hard to see him finishing at the pointy end of the field.

Well a tough little race here with some contenders and pretenders. The favorite is the class horse with the proven form and should win, so #6 Dante to win from #2 Urko’s Fantasy who should run a bold race with #4 Tonnochi Road for third.

Good luck to all runners.

Simon