High Flying Colts Head to Ireland
This Saturday sees the best of the European two-year-old colts gather in
The inaugural winner of 2000 was the very smart Buda With The Slew who went on to win an additional five Group One’s including the Breeders Bowl Juvenile, Bluegrass Derby, Corkscrew Stakes and Middle Jewel Stakes. In 2001, The Pretender ran fifth in the High Flyer Stakes, behind race record holder Splendor, on his way to winning the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf. The 2002 winner Greenback Passer went on to claim the Nightmare Stakes, St James Stakes and Maudlin Cup all at Group One level as a three-year-old. While 2003 saw Like a Procupine claim the High Flyer Stakes and Breeders Bowl Juvenile Tuff double and last years winner Andy’s Choice took out the 2000
Lining-up in this years event are:
PP1 False Memory (6/1) – Won on debut before running second in allowance, followed that with step-up to stakes level when finished third in the Pink Groom Challenge Stakes. Last start came out and won the Caves Irish Stakes over eight furlongs, last two have been against small fields and speed ratings have been down on some of his rivals here. Has surprisingly come into this as race favourite and chances have improved with top jockey Z.Kentucky booked to ride.
PP2 Buda for a Day (10/1) – After two disappointing efforts on dirt finely won two-year-old maiden at third attempt when tried over turf for the first time. Proved that win was not fluke last start when he won the Nop Dropper Memorial Stakes over seven furlongs. Has been running on at the end of his races and the eight furlongs looks ideal at this stage of his preparation.
PP3 Barb’s Deckhand (IRE) (11/1) – Comes into this with two wins from three starts, finished second on debut before winning maiden at second start. Followed that with first stakes appearance when winning the Ratty Dancer Special Stakes. Has done nothing wrong to date but is jumping from five and half furlongs to eight furlongs so distance is a query.
PP4 Piercing the Pack (19/1) – Has taken five starts to break through for maiden win at second last start. Followed that with a much improved effort for a win at allowance level over eight furlongs when running career best speed rating of 72. Has been finishing races nicely and the distance should not bother him, big class query here and will need to lift to figure in the finish.
PP5 Miner’s Light (9/1) – Failed on debut when ran fourth in maiden, followed with much improved effort when finished second before falling-in to win maiden at third attempt. Showed some promise last start when second in the Boys Memorial Stakes over five and half furlongs. Distance is a concern and racing patterns to date suggest that the eight furlongs may be beyond him.
PP6 Beelza Ca (NZ) (9/1) – Won first two before just failing in first stakes race when finished second in the Nijinsky Hill Memorial Stakes. Made amends at very next start when easily won the Sprinklers Are Broke Again Stakes – GP3 over seven and a half furlongs. Finished very strongly last start and with top jockey E.C.Doyle booked should be thereabouts again.
PP7 Director Oftraffic (AUS) (10/1) – Two seconds and a third in two-year-old maidens before breaking through for win in the Belgain Tike Stakes – GP3. Failed when ran fifth in the Goats That Faint Juvenile Stakes – GP3 before storming home for third in the KY Horsemen Juvenile – GP1 over eight furlongs. Did impress last start when only failed to catch winner by ½ length and on that run comes into this as one of the main contenders.
PP8 Big Zak (IRE) (14/1) – Made impressive debut when just failed to catch the winner when finishing second, followed with easy win to break maiden status when distance increased to six furlongs. Finished strongly last start to claim the Dandy’s Hams Stakes with a speed rating of 81. Was very impressive last start and trainer, ‘Hollandia2’, has him primed for another top effort.
PP9 Believe in Faith (AUS) (9/1) – Undefeated in two starts; won impressively on debut when recording a speed rating of 72 in maiden. Followed that with a win in the Two Pair Stakes when jumped straight to the lead and held on to win by 2½ lengths. Has lead in both starts and may not get it all his own way in front against this class.
PP10 Paper Jesus (14/1) – Won two from two before failing in the owner restricted GSR Bloomsday Wish Allowance when ran 18th of 19. Much improved effort last start when flew home for second in the Up North Juvenile – GP3, ran career best speed rating of 85 last start and if can reproduce that effort will be hard to beat.
PP11 Dixieland Dancer (IRE) (9/1) – Won maiden at third attempt before finishing fourth at first stakes start in the Pro Sprit Handicap Stakes. Followed with good second in the Almost Not Kris Bonanza Stakes before running fourth in the KY horsemen Juvenile – GP1 over eight furlongs. Has been finishing races very strongly and will be running on at the end.
PP12 Tock Locks (IRE) (9/1) – Won maiden on debut before failing in the Belgian Tike Stakes – GP3 over four and a half furlongs. Returned to winners stall when dropped to allowance level before impressively winning the Finnish Line Stakes – GP3. Has won three from four and has earned his chance at the elite level, stable is expecting a strong showing.
PP13 Dancing Hall (13/1) – Followed debut maiden win with two allowance starts resulting in a disappointing fourth and a second. Returned to winners stall when winning the Mat Joker Challenge Stakes and followed that with another win in the Stormy Event Bonanza Stakes. Has been improving as the distance increases, however last two were against small fields.
PP14 DR Well (8/1) – Impressively won on debut before winning first stakes start when beat a small field to claim the Gator Mattering Memorial Stakes. Followed with second in the Dalesbark Cup – GP3 when made ground late in the dying stages. Had to settle for second again last start when found the winner too good in the Tiny Toes Stakes – GP3 over eight furlongs. Has never been too far way and deserves his chance at Group One level. Chances are not helped by bad post position and in-experienced jockey.
In summary, this years’ High Flyer Stakes – GP1 has brought together a very even field of colts. As part of my obligation to writing this article I am expected to come up with a Top Three, which I must admit I am finding a difficult due to most of the runners having a ligament and realistic chance of winning. Beelza Ca, Big Zak and Tock Locks are all serious contenders and a win by any would not surprise; Paper Jesus, Director Oftraffic, Dixieland Dancer and Dr Well have been finishing races very strongly and the eight furlongs should suit. I could continue and name every horse in the race excluding only one or two but instead will rely on the tried and tested method of closing my eyes and pointing. So here they are my tips