Favorite Snatches Steel Pony
Bookmakers and punters were on the mark in the Steel Pony, as top pick, the scootboy owned and trained Enough Snatch gave away a seemingly impossible start before overhauling the maverick conglomerate’s equal second favorite, Chief Tea and the well fancied beefcake8 entry, Barb’s Own Voice. The bulk of the prize money is heading down under.
Rulzig won the jump from the three gate, but Insane Tommy went with him inside, denying the early leader the rail. Mr Smarty to You and Barb’s Own Voice flew cleanly from the outside, using early energy to gain their positions, and being held four and five wide by Rock Prize. Never Arch slid across behind the leaders early in the running, with Chief Tea outside him and Super Odor Buster caught three deep. Silvery Rocket was next, racing outside Highwayman, while Beat it Shaq, Enough Snatch, Nice Touch and Pilksi Boy all dropped back to await their opportunities.
The field settled roughly in that order, spread out over a dozen lengths, but with Insane Tommy and Rock Prize finding it difficult to match strides with Rulzig, Barb’s own Voice and Mr. Smarty to You. Rock Prize was the first beaten as Chief Tea and Never Arch moved past both he and Insane Tommy. Barb’s Own Voice had beaten off Rulzig and Mr Smarty to You and had set sail for home as they straightened for the run. Into the stretch and Never Arch could go no faster. Barb’s Own Voice had moved away to a two length lead and the only danger appeared to be closer, Chief Tea. Favorite Enough Snatch was coming but looked to have left the run too late, having given away nearly ten lengths mid-race. But jockey N. Stryzinski knew what he had beneath him. Content to allow the punter’s pick to balance for the run home, a single flip with the whip was enough to find another gear, and his mount flew the final furlong to not just ‘snatch’ victory, but to motor to the line with almost three lengths to spare.
Chief Tea gained the better of Barb’s Own Voice in the closing stages, and the recent maverick purchase almost succeeded in the stable plan to ‘buy’ the race with astute recent claiming.
Barb’s Own Voice ran a mighty race after racing wide early and looking a genuine winning threat in running.
Nice Touch finished solidly from the rear of the field to give the mavericks fourth money.
Never Arch held on for the minor check after putting in an even performance.
Beat it Shaq and Pilski Boy held their distance and passed tiring horses in the stretch.
Rulzig and Mr Smarty to You couldn’t maintain the pace, after fighting for the early lead.
Highwayman never got warm, while Insane Tommy, Super Odor Buster, Silvery Rocket and Rock Prize all ran as their prices suggested they would.
Enough Snatch is a seven year old son of the Legal Prospector / Greek Answer / Grey Dawn II . This was his ninth win from forty six starts and elevates his earnings to above $104,000. He ran the 8.5 furlongs in 1.42.5 and returned a speed rating of 99.
scootboy is a relatively new stable which has been to the races on 78 occasions, and has landed in the winner’s circle 9 times. Enough Snatch is clearly the leading earner in the stable and looks destined to add a bit more, showing no sign of slowing down, despite a career which is already longer than most.