The Mine Forces Stakes
Supporting the main race in Victoria today the Grade I Big Turf Race, we have what could be called the Little Turf Race – The Mine Forces listed stakes over 11 furlongs. With the overnight rain taking the sting out of the grass we have a small field of 7 hoping add a stakes win to their resume.
No. 1 Windys Best Knight 5/1 – (Rainbow Quest x Common Ground(GB) x Alydar)
Trainer: Spcstable
Has been racing consistantly in this class and has been placed well in the past by his trainer Spcstable. Suffered a setback two starts back when appeared to be injured, but returned to form last start with a dogged 2nd. Has the ability to lead or stalk from just off the pace. Certainly worth some serious thought to be included in your exotics.
No. 2 Her Pigeon (Ire) 2/1 – (Caerwent (Ire) x Nureyev x Pretense)
Trainer: Notalldogs
Loves to lead, given the opportunity to dictate the pace this very lightly raced 7yo will be almost impossible to beat here. Winner of the Grade II Horshoe Stakes as a 5yo trainer Notalldogs has shown great patience with him, being rewarded with a wire to wire win last start with a lifetime best 108 SP over this distance in the listed Tears Of A Clown Stakes.
No. 3 Pedro’s Star (GB) 8/1 – (Beat Hollow (GB) x Risen Star x Nashwan)
Trainer: Pjlracing
Still looking for his 1st stakes win, although has been runner up on a number of occassions. Trainer Pjlracing decided that a return to allowances was warranted at the beginning of this year and with 5 consecutive runs in that class resulting in 3 wins and 2 minor placings last jumped him back into the Stakes race, but for some unknown reason decided to opt for a 2 mile marathon rather than the 11 – 12 furlongs Pedro had been so successful at in his allowance races. The extra distance took it’s toll and he tired badly to finish a 26 length distant last in a field of 5. Heavily raced this year will take its toll and although back at his preferred distance here cannot see him taking much part in the finish.
No. 4 I Got A Fusa 6/1 – (Fusaichi Pegasus x Silver Hawk x Wajima)
Trainer: Blakentra
Another looking for his 1st stakes win, also another that has shown a preference for racing up front. Looks like he prefers slightly lesser distances, and would be surprised if hangs on to be competitive at the business end of this race. Owner/Trainer/Breeder Blakentra obviously named this big brown 4yo colt after managing to obtain servicing by Fusaichi Pegasus to his mare Chief Roger. To be able to say “I got a (stakes winning) Fusa” they possibly need to look at shortening up to 9 – 9.5 furlongs.
No. 5 Montjaw (Ire) 8/1 – (Montjeu (Ire) x Caerleon x Honest Bullet)
Trainer: Graywolf17
Yet another trying for his 1st stakes win, trainer Graywolf17 may have got a little excited by 2 straight allowance wins and last start attempted a huge leap of faith by taking on some of best turf distance horses in the Grade I Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic. His charge was treated very roughly by the strong opposition that day and was tailed off badly to be distanced. Having his confidence badly dented by the experience doesn’t bode well for Montjaw’s chances of breaking through here.
No. 6 Plastic Golem 5/2 – (Beaudelaire x Fabled Monarch x Banderilla)
Trainer: Gonzo3
Has been around for quite a while now and is a multiple stakes winner over the years. Lightly raced this year with only 3 starts after suffering a setback 1st up in 2006 with unusally poor run in the Equinics Lester Piggott over 13 furlongs on a yielding track. Dropped back into allowance class last start to regain some confidence, he was sent out a hot favourite, and after taking a handy lead at the top of the stretch was run down easily over the last 2 furlongs to finish an eventual 2nd. Should be better for that run and will prove hard to beat here.
No. 7 Rivado (Ire) 5/1 – (El Prado (Ire) x Irish River (Fr) x Mill Reef)
Trainer: Bobo
Has been a little disappointing since a promising start to his racing career as a 3yo. His only stakes win coming in his 4th lifetime start. His current trainer Bobo took over from his breeder/trainer Paceman2 earlier this year after Rivado failed dismally in the Equinics Roy Higgins. Since taking over Bobo seems to have found something extra in him, with an allowance win and place, however his jump back into stakes class last start was a little disappointing.
There looks to be plenty of early pace in this race, and the tactics of the various jockeys will be of major importance in deciding the eventual winner here. The No. 1 Horse – Windys Best Knight looks best suited to benefit from any fight for the early lead, however I class will win the day.
My Selections
1. No. 2 Her Pigeon
2. No. 1 Windys Best Knight
3. No. 6 Plastic Golem
Good Luck and Good Punting