Peace Ally Continues Yo-Yo Formline

The Ty’s Launches (NZ) Challenge in Jamaica this weekend may be remembered more for the incredible form pattern being established by the winner, rather than the most impressive win itself. I can’t recall a horse which, after seven races had had neither won nor lost two races in a row. Anyway, Peace Alley continued on his up and down path, trouncing a quality packed field by a comfortable length and a quarter.

An early breakneck speed tussle obviously set the race up for those horses blessed with more patient jockeys. Diligence, Roesch Hi and Forestforthetrees all jumped well and searched for the lead. Jockey M.Clouse, on Diligence had clearly been instructed to lead, and appeared determined to gain ascendancy and cross to the rail. Roesch Hi was having none of it, and kicked up inside him, the two of them cutting away at each other mercilessly. T. Kavanagh, aboard Forestforthetrees had enough sense to see what was going on, and eased off the pace, while retaining the rail. Meanwhile Peace Ally, Bad Boy Rising and Fernando Storm took stalking positions behind the leading bunch. Churchill Dancer and Top Ten were content to sit back and await their chances. Approaching the run home and it was time to get serious. Roesch Hi had committed suicide with his tactics. Diligence quickly put paid to him and strode to the lead. Forestforthetrees was issuing a challenge and Peace Ally was taking massive strides down the middle of the track, while further back, Top Ten and Churchill Dancer, who’d never left the fence, were moving stylishly into the picture. Once Peace Alley hit the lead it was all over. Churchill Dancer was closing impressively, but too late, and at the wire there was a length and a quarter margin in favor of Peace Alley over the still flying Churchill Dancer.

Diligence had been forced to work too hard early, but held on well for third.

Top Ten worked home well in his most convincing run to date at this level, beaten four lengths.

Forestforthetrees loomed in the stretch but failed to retain the momentum.

Bad Boy Rising raced handy enough, and wasn’t disgraced, missing a check by just a quarter of a length

Fernando Storm weakened after being close enough in the run

Roesch Hi found the class rise too great.

Peace Ally is a scratch homebred three year old colt, carrying Peace Rules / Alysheba / Salt Lake lines. He covered the 6 furlongs in 1.09.8, returning a speed figure of 100. He now has 4 wins from 7, and increases his lifetime earnings to more than $130,000. He’s owned by his breeder ell2020, a winner of 33 of the 251 races the trainer has contested, and was the only runner to represent the stable this weekend.