G1 Ackland Cup $750,000

 

 

   

 

New Zealand (NZ)

Saturday, March 01, 2014 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID: 1237041            

Ackland Cup

Grade I / Group 1 – Purse : $750,000

Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older

16 Furlongs | ~3200 Meters | Two Miles  TURF

We travel to New Zealand for one their premier races over a distance of 2 miles , The Ackland Cup. Featuring an international field of 14 quality turf horses trained to the minute by some of our best trainers, competing for $750,000 in prize money and trophies. We have perfect conditions for racing and a huge crowd is in attendance. Lets have a look at the runners and see if we can find the winner.

 

 

REEK   (thethumb – GR Simsters ) 22 runs, 8 wins $1,122,969

NEW APPROACH (IRE) x KRIS S. x NORTHERN DANCER

My No 2 Selection:  Experienced, well-bred G2 winning 5 year old brown horse by boom sire New Approach who has been G1 placed on this track, over this distance. 4 runs back he charged home to win the 16F G2 The Don’s Plastered Cup* in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 108. He followed that with a pleasing 4^th in the time honored 16F G1 Millwood Cup in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 104. He then ran home strongly to run 3^rd in the 13F G1 The Winter Cup* in Japan, on turf, running SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a disappointing 5^th (21 lengths) in the 16F G2 Fitness Cup* in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 102. To be ridden by L Radzinski  from gate 1. Another quality horse that must be forgiven it’s last run as is normally super consistent, great winning chance.   ODDS 8/1

 

DALAKHANI MOUNTAIN(wistful – DelPenn National) 19 runs, 5 wins $295,295

DALAKHANI x GONE WEST x SADLER’S WELLS

Another nicely bred graded placed 4 year old brown colt by accomplished sire Dalakhani out of the stakes winning mare Nag Of Notley, he is untested on this track and has had one try at the 2 miles running 3rd. After winning and running 2^nd in a couple of Allowance races over 11F and 12F respectively, he ran 6^th at stakes level in the 11F Big Red Niner Turf Stayer in Norway, on turf, running SP 97. He followed that with an easy 14F Allowance race win in Deauville (France), on turf, running  a solid SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a respectable 3^rd place finish in the prestigious 16F G1 Equinics – Best Horse I Ever Owned in Vermont, on turf, running SP 102. To be ridden by J Stivers from gate 2. Racing well, must be an outside chance.  ODDS 13/1

 

 

KEPLER FETTO   (bobo – Ireland)  21 runs, 5 wins $192,534

DISTORTED HUMOR x A.P. INDY x SADLER’S WELLS

This beautifully bred graded placed 5 year old brown horse by class sire Distorted Humor out of the stakes winning mare Kepler Grape is a winner on this track but attempting the marathon trip for the first time. He has been G3 placed over 12F but has been racing in 12F – 13F Allowance races, at his last 9 runs, with great consistency. To be ridden by X Saxon from gate 3. Another nice horse in the making but I think a few others will have his measure at this stage also. Very smart horse but G1 company may be too steep a jump right now.  ODDS 10/1

 

 

GUSHING  (robinhood) 11 runs, 5 wins $342,360 

MONSUN (GER) x SADLER’S WELLS x ROBERTO

My No 1 Selection:  Lightly raced, superbly bred G2 winning 4 year old bay filly by champion staying sire Monsun, she is a last start winner on this track over this distance. 4 runs back she motored home to run 3^rd in the 13F G1 The Vicky Oaks* in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a fast SP 110. She then disappointed slightly running 6^th in the 12F G2 Enter The Hofbrahaus* in South Korea on turf, running SP 103. She followed that with a much improved win at stakes level in the 14F Compelling Grace Turf Mare Special in Spain, on turf, running SP 106. Her final lead up run resulted in a powerful staying performance to win the 16F G2 Fitness Cup* in New Zealand, on turf, running a super slick SP 114. To be ridden by gun jockey H Harzheim from gate 4. Really appreciated the 2 miles last start and looks a real good staying filly in the making. The one they have to beat.  ODDS 6/1

 

     

 LEMONDROP MINI MOO  (gr8white)  31 runs, 13 wins $4,427,935

LEMON DROP KID x ELA-MANA-MOU x TROY

This highly accomplished 6 year old chestnut horse by capable sire Lemon Drop Kid out of the stakes placed mare Ela Mini Moo has been placed at this track and has won over the marathon trip. His biggest win to date came in the (22/10/2011) 14F G1 The Japanese Saint Legend* in Japan, on turf, running a fast SP 110 and 8 lengths margin. 4 runs back he ran a great 2^nd in the time honored 16F G1 Millwood Cup* in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 107. He followed that with a well beaten 8^th in the 13F G1 The Winter Cup* in Japan, on turf, running SP 101. He then ran poorly finishing 10^th in the 16F Fitness Cup* in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 97. His final lead up run resulted in another substandard (for him) 3^rd place finish in a 14F Allowance race in Germany, on turf, running SP 95. To be ridden by gun jockey A Craig from gate 5. Seems to have lost form at the moment, if he recaptures his best will be right in the finish but I can’t put my money on him.  ODDS 8/1

 

NEW NUER NUEST(airbiscuit) 17 runs, 6 wins $886,178

NEW APPROACH (IRE) x NUREYEV x CAPE CROSS

My No 4 Selection:  Up and coming, well-bred stakes winning 4 year old bay colt by boom sire New Approach who has been placed on this track, over this distance. 4 runs back he ran on nicely to run 2^nd in the 14F G1 The Japanese Saint Legend* in Japan, on yielding turf, running SP 104. He then ran charged home to run 2^nd again in a 12.5F Allowance race in Italy, on turf, running SP 103. He followed that with an easy win at stakes level in the 13F Silent Assassin Turf Stayer in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running SP 103. His final lead up run resulted in 3^rd place finish (11 lengths) in the 16F G2 Fitness Cup* in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 107. To be ridden by M Wallace from gate 6. An even run over the 2 miles last start but hard to see him turning the tables on Gushing. Still improving so must rate a chance.  ODDS 11/1

 

LOS DESTERRADOS(icbomber8 – GR Simsters) 14 runs, 5 wins $967,351

SEA THE STARS (IRE) x PIVOTAL x SADLER’S WELLS

My No 5 Selection:  Another beautifully bred G3 winning 5 year old brown horse by top class sire Sea The Stars out of the stakes winning mare Crucial Kill , she is untested on this track but is a multiple winner over this distance. After winning 4 Allowance races, 2 x 14F and 2 x 16F, he showed great courage to lead all the way and win the 16F G3 The Royal Oak* in Paris, on turf, running SP 103. Another similar performance followed, winning at stakes level in the 16F Caustic Ant Turf Special in Florida (America), on turf, running SP 101. His final lead up run resulted in a well beaten 3^RD (13 lengths) at stakes level in the 16F Race Series for grracers* in Pennsylvania (America), on turf, running SP 95. To be ridden by K Banner from gate 7. The quick back up may have taken its toll last start so I am willing to forget that run and include him in the chances here. ODDS 16/1

 

SPRINGVALE NORTH(victorious – MIDAS) 14 runs, 2 wins $321,224

NORTH LIGHT x SADLER’S WELLS x SIR IVOR

This G3 winning 4 year old chestnut colt by capable sire North Light out of the stakes placed mare Naomi And Laurence has raced on this track without success and has been placed over the 2 miles. 4 runs back he ran 2^nd at stakes level in the 16F Cincinnati Soup Turf Stayer in Arizona (America), on turf, running SP 93. He was the easily beaten, running 4^th in the time honored 16F G1 Millwood Cup in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 103. He followed that with a fair 2^nd in a 16F Allowance race in Newmarket (England), on turf, running SP 95. His final lead up run resulted in a lackluster 7^th in the 16F G2 Fitness Cup in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 99. To be ridden by F Gossett from gate 8.  Not the type of form to really inspire, will pass him by today.  ODDS 20/1

 

MONTSHAFT  (mickyb2 – GR Simsters)  14 runs, 5 wins $179,240

MINESHAFT x MONTJEU x MONSUN (GER)

This nicely bred stakes winning 4 year old brown colt by capable sire Mineshaft has won under similar conditions but untested on this track so far. After 3 very impressive Allowance race wins over 15F, 16F and 16F respectively, on turf, he again won impressively at stakes level in the 16F Race Series for grracers* in Pennsylvania (America), on turf, running SP 103. He stepped upto G1 company for his final lead up run finishing a fair 6^th in the prestigious 16F G1 Equinics – Best Horse I Ever Owned in Vermont, on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by D Evans from gate 9. Another nice horse in the making but I think a few others will have his measure at this stage also.   ODDS 21/1

 

MONTYS ROBBER(primus3 – All-Stars Racing) 11 runs, 4 wins $166,415

MONTJEU x NIJINSKY 2ND x ROBERTO

Another beautifully bred stakes winning 4 year old bay colt by champion staying sire Montjeu, he is untested on this track but has had success at the 2 miles. 3 runs back he cantered around from the front to win a 16F Allowance race in Sweden, on turf, running SP 98. He followed that with an impressive win at stakes level in the 14F Affirm Turf Stayer in Newmarket (England), running a respectable SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a fair 5^th in the prestigious 16F G1 Equinics – Best Horse I Ever Owned in Vermont, on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by J Drozd from gate 10. Nice horse in the making but I think a few others will have his measure at this stage.  ODDS 14/1

 

THE ELEMENTS(vagueideas) 13 runs, 4 wins $544,390

WILD RUSH x PIVOTAL x DEPUTY MINISTER

This G2 winning 4 year old chestnut colt is by improving sire Wild Rush is untested on this track and attempting the 2 mile journey for the first time. 4 runs back he powerfully won the 14F G2 Saint Legend Stakes* in Surrey (England), on turf, running a fast SP 113. He followed that with a solid 4^th place finish in the Vicky Derby in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running SP 107. After a rest he resumed in a 6.5F sprint, at stakes level, running 5^th. His final lead up run resulted in an impressive win in the 11F G2 Buck Dharma Handicap* in Florida (America), on turf, running a fast SP 114. To be ridden by P Haynes from gate 11. Improving horse who looks trained to the minute for this G1 contest. Solid winning chance if he handles the 2 miles.  ODDS 7/1

 

 

VARGR(binky – Bargain Bred Racing Series) 18 runs, 8 wins $279,851

FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x RAINBOW QUEST x JOHANNESBURG

Another nicely bred, super consistent stakes winning 5 year old brown horse by champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock out of the stakes winning mare Hyrcania , she is a winner on this track and has won over this distance. 4 runs back he easily won at stakes level in the 12F Wild Pod Turf Challenge in South Africa, on turf, running SP 104. He then easily won a 16F Allowance race in Ireland, on turf, running SP 105. He followed that with an impressive win at stakes level in the 13F Dyardanes Turf Stayer in Denmark, on turf, running a fast SP 114. His final lead up run resulted in a fair 6^th place finish in the 12F G3 Gary Trent Stakes* in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 105. To be ridden by E Lagrant from gate 12. Another horse racing well and must be included in the chances.  ODDS 6/1

 

CONTRATIEMPO(zielissimo – The Minnesota Testbarn Residency) 14 runs, 5 wins $967,351

SEA THE STARS (IRE) x RAINBOW QUEST x SUNDAY SILENCE 

My No 3 Selection:  This nicely bred G1 winning 4 year old chestnut colt is by top class sire Sea The Stars, has had a run on this track over this distance without success. 4 runs back he charged over the top of them to win the 12F G2 The Great Volt* in Surrey (England), on turf, running a fast SP 115. He followed that with a fast finishing 2^nd in the 14F G2 Saint Legend Stakes* again in Surrey, on turf, running a smart SP 111. He then ran on strongly to run 3^rd in the prestigious 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Turf* in California (America), on turf, running a fast SP 113. His final lead up run resulted in a somewhat disappointing 6^th in the 16F G2 Fitness Cup* in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by L Bell from gate 13. There now must be a question mark on this horse to run out a strong 2 miles but we must be prepared to forgive a horse one poor run. Must be included in the chances.  ODDS 7/1

 

JUNG(kwhisper – EAAA Racing) 17 runs, 7 wins $243,681

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR x DEPUTY MINISTER x NORTHERN DANCER

This stakes placed 4 year old bay colt by well performed staying sire Rock Of Gibraltar is untested on this track but has had success at the 2 miles. After 3 impressive Allowance race wins at 14F, 16F and 13F respectively he ran 3^rd at stakes level in the Galileo Gold Turf Challenge in the Czech Republic, on turf, running SP 102. His final lead up run resulted in him killing a small field in a 16F Allowance race in Hong Kong, on turf, running SP 89. To be ridden by S Ledwith from gate 14. Promising distance horse meeting quite a strong field here at G1 level, not today.  ODDS 12/1

1^st place = GUSHING

2^nd place = REEK

3^rd place = CONTRATIEMPO

4^th place = NEW NUER NUEST

5^th place = LOS DESTERRADOS

                Greg (gcliffo)