South Astralian Cup
Dangle G-1 glory in front of them and there will be no shortage of trainers and horses willing to take their shot, no matter how daunting the distance. This week a full field lines up to navigate the two mile, G-1 South Astralian Cup. Here’s a look at the field from the rail out.
1 When Do We Start (manni167) – This one loves to win, gets the rail, should be on the lead, and is the sim’s top earning Beaudalaire offspring. Lone try at this distance resulted in a third against stakes opponents. Should contend throughout.
2 Ringo’s Hope (tbassett) – Lightly raced son of Tiznow has found his calling as a dirt marathoner. Unbeaten and untested at the distance, but shallow waters get deep today as he takes the leap from allowance to G-1 company. Speed figures are on the light side, would have liked to see this guy get some experience at the stakes level before taking on the big boys.
3 King’s Gift (IRE) (tatty2) – Suspect this one will stalk the pace coming in off six weeks rest, but he seems to settle for second more often than not. Nary a stakes win to be found and tries this distance for the first time. Tough to endorse.
4 Jabbog (bleumoon) – Consistent sort, but hasn’t fired a triple digit speed figure in his career. Hard to imagine the six-year old will do so today as he goes to the post for the 43rd time. Stakes winner at this distance, but needs a lifetime best to threaten this crew.
5 Kris Noia (noia) – Stakes winner at this distance was trounced by Casual Connection in last. A close up third in the G-1 New Yorker last year, but his efforts in graded stakes races since then haven’t been pretty.
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7 Flygroom’s Goldie (kyrin) – Nice foundation going into this race for this five-year old son of superstar sire Sadler’s Wells. Last four have been at this grueling distance and he’s gotten his picture taken in three of those. First try in graded stakes is long overdue – string of twenty straight stakes appearances gets snapped today.
8 Time Bomb (AUS) (dixieracer) – Only Aussie bred in the field will have the home crowd in his corner. Got back on track in last after firing a couple of duds. Son of Viscount bred to get the distance, but takes first shot at it today.
9 K’s Unpredictable (supreme) – Dominating last out against allowance foes and is G-1 placed, but the speed figure he earned that day won’t scare any of these. Immaculately bred horse seems to be another pace player.
10 Casual Connection (piracing) – Imposing, well-bred six-year old has $2.3 million in the bank and counting. Both G-1 wins came at this distance and he’s going to be awfully tough to deny today as he sets out to make amends for a distant sixth place finish in this race last year. Choice for the win.
11 King Of The Wind (topicount4) – Veteran trainer sends out this speedy, graded stakes placed son of Deputy Minister, but he’s never gone this far and was well behind Lemieux Again in G-2 company three starts back. Pace player at the very least.
12 Lemieux Again (mrfu) – From a breeding standpoint, it’s hard to imagine this six-year old son of Storm Cat savoring the prospect of tackling sixteen furlongs. On the other hand, he does sport a trio of triple digit speed figures, and should get a nice stalking trip. Think he gets leg weary in the final furlong.
13 Onemomentntime (IRE) (superman99) – Last two races show two sides of the coin, do we get the horse that fired a career best speed figure last out or the horse that was a dismal eighth against allowance foes at 9-1 the race prior? Regardless of which way the coin flips today, former claimer has never gone this far and seems overmatched.
14 Pharao’s Tornado (stars1) – Love the breeding on this one, Doyoun x Darshaan, and he comes in off a powerful win in stakes company. Wide post won’t hinder deep closer who is in the exacta more often than not. Zero for four at the distance, but gets some pace to run at and think he’ll contend this week.
Selections – 10 – 14 – 7