The SERPENTINE KEY Stakes

 Hi folks. Just your little friendly beat reporter here for QLD.  Firstly I apologise for the late submission of this pre race review. I know how many of you count on using my tips for your betting so to you my sincere apologies. To those who do not read my articles or have no interest in the QLD racecourse I say nothing.  Not because I am mean but because I know you wont be reading this so whats the point 🙂

Nice big field here after the last 2 weeks of racing here with small fields. Field of 12 to contest this and I must say a few of these are some nice classy types. My tips have to be ZZ ZZAR for the win with Delaware River and Charisma Dancer bringing in the minors.

Post 1:                   20/1 CARNAROE RESERVOIR  (pisanor)

One of the longshots of this race is this 4yo colt by Pure Prize.  A consistent runner at the allowance level with 5 wins, 3 places and 3 shows from 25 starts.  This is a new class of racing though in this Stakes race and is going to have to push up to another level if he wants to be competitive here.  Trainer has been steadily training and placing this one’s races well so should debut nicely here.

Post 2:                   12/1 PJ FREE RUNNER (flyingfinn)

No stranger to Stakes races, PJ Free Runner seems to like coming from behind in most of his races.  A 5yo now with 4 wins to his name likes the free flowing rhythm of sprinting on the outside of the field as he cruises past on his way to the finish line or what some of us think as a free runner.  Will have to perform well here to finish up the front end.

Post 3:                   6/1 CHARISMA DANCER (thyquixote)

This is the first of the oldies in this race being a 6yo with 9 wins from 31 starts.  Noted for his personality, charm and charisma at evening dances, Charisma Dancer is in perfect form for this one with some consistent and nice runs of late including a third place in a G3 race and a solid win in a Stakes race 2 starts back.  Has to be a chance to feature here.

Post 4:                   7/1 D. C. SAVAGE (dandcstble)

6yo horse also, has 10 wins from 38 starts and is out of Loup Sauvage.  Known to be incredibly savage in races I went to have a look at him in his stable prior to the race.  When he is not on the race track I can tell you he is quite the gentleman.   Quiet and humble he speaks of peace and unity throughout the world.  Watch him on the track though and its nothing but war.  Definite chance here too if he gets to the lead early.

Post 5:                   10/1 PEDRO’S SPEEDSTER (mrenforcer)

Another of the young guns trying to make his mark in Stakes history here at Queensland is this 4yo Colt in Pedro’s Speedster.  Named after the breeder he is now owned and trained by mrenforcer.  3 wins from 13 starts wouldn’t suggest much but looking at his career history has run well in a few stakes races including 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes.  Seems to be out of form at the moment with some disappointing runs of late.  Here is his chance to better that.

Post 6:                   11/1 DELAWARE RIVER (baileybarn)

Seasoned veteran here with 18 wins from 52 starts and over $1.6 million in race career earnings.  That does NOT include earnings from promotional shoots, on the side modeling as well as his new lemonade business which rumour has it has been going from strength to strength.  Pretty impressive all up.  Apart from his last run out has been running strongly with wins, seconds and nothing worse than thirds in his last 10 races.  Has to figure here surely…Second place I would guess.

Post 7:                   9/1 STRONGHOLD (jonsnow)

Failed miserably last time out with a shocking 7^th place finish.  Now it was a G1 race but I say shocking because his previous 3 starts all resulted in wins one of which was at the Stakes level.  Back to a standard Stakes race today his trainer will be hoping to regain that winning feeling.  Will still have to find a bit of speed though as he is up against a few classy and experienced runners here.

Post 8:                   6/1 MISWAKI APPROVAL  (manni169)

36 starts. 15 wins.  41.6% win ratio.  Impressive. Better than any of my nags that’s for sure.   The oldest of the field this one is a definite chance of pushing for a win.  Was getting some good speeds a few races back including a 3^rd place finish in a G1 race with a SP of 104.  A run like that here should smash this field.  Chance?

Post 9:                   6/1 BROCCO’S WILD CAT (princematt)

Wild at heart and wild in person I was flat out trying to understand anything this one said in my interview with him.  Apparently the horse sleeps, eats and trains with his pet cat, a Siamese. Believe that will ya?  At 6/1 is on very good odds considering his recent runs however if he can perform to the level that the bookies reckon you never know. 

Post 10:                 10/1 WILD TRIPS (graywolf6)

And here is Wild Trips trained by graywolf6, a local QLD resident trainer.  4yo colt by Forest Wildcat with 4 wins from 29 starts, this one is wild beyond belief.  Likes to take holidays on impulse to some of the remotest and wildest places you can ever think of.  Seems to be up and down in form which might a result of some of those trips.  If he’s on the up here he has a very good chance of pushing for a place or win. If he’s not then he will be out the back door.

Post 11:                 4/1 ZZ ZZAR (holyghost)

Favourite of the race is this 5yo horse with that many Z’s in his name, you would think he was always sleeping. THINK AGAIN. 33 races with 15 wins.  Just over $500,000 in race earnings. Trained by one of the more famous and certainly respected local trainers in holyghost.  Coming off 2 solid wins from his last 2 starts.  Need I say anything more? Guaranteed win here.  I guarantee it.

Post 12:                 38/1 FAIR MOOSE (rebelking)

Oldest of the field and is also the longshot of the field. Is it a horse or a moose? These are some of the comments I have heard flying around at the moment.  Now is that fair I ask you?  Well he can still run with a 5^th place finish at the Stakes level last time out. But certainly I would agree does need to get some more speed from those old legs of his. But can he? Lets just wait and see shall we….