Whirlaway Tavern Stakes Grade I
In what will be his last race of the year, Seeking Sal will be looking to cap off a stellar year in style as he goes against a small field in Let’s take a look at the field that will contest the last graded stakes at Awesome Giant (IRE) 7/2 ( This lightly raced 4 year old colt has improved greatly in his first full year of racing and his recent form shows he can compete at this level. From his last 7 outings he has managed 5 stakes wins and a graded place including a nice time last out only 1/5 outside our favourite’s last outing. He will need to be at his best to win here but is definitely one of the better chances of upsetting Seeking Sal’s perfect finish to the year. Strong chance. Seeking Sal Even (Seeking the Gold x Kris. S x Magesterial) keryn What can you say about this horse? Number 1 ranked Older Male in the classic turf division; has gone 11-8-1-2 for the year claiming 5 grade I wins along the way; winner of the Breeder’s Bowl Mile; the list goes on. If he gets beaten here it will be by a truly magnificent performance as happened in the Equinics. He has been far and away the best in his division this year and deserves to go into this race at the very short odds he’s showing. Put your money elsewhere at your peril. Thunder Run (JPN) 37/1 (Sunday Break (JPN) x Thunder Gulch x Stalwart) sherman7 I don’t like to be critical of owners in general but I think the sherman7 stable is somewhat optimistic with this one. Has been running mid-80’s speed figures since early this year and will struggle to stay within a frame’s distance of this field for too long. Miracles do happen, but the odds sum this horse’s chances up in a small field. Not likely. Woette’s Delight (IRE) 7/1 (Falbrav (IRE) x Sadler’s Wells x Desert Wine) totje This interestingly bred colt has been unlucky in his career. He missed out on three Grade I races early in his 3 year old year, managing only two 2nds and a 3rd. His recent luck has been somewhat better though which may signal a turnaround in this horse’s career. Two solid stakes wins have him prepared nicely for this race and ignoring his failure in between he has a good chance of running on nicely here. Good chance at odds but will need some luck to beat the favourite here. Merry Mex 7/2 (Deputy Minister x Gone West x Nijinsky II) gradeone Another of the strong challengers, this immaculately bred homebred has done everything right lately but still has been unable to break through for his first graded win. Two starts back he trailed the eventual winner all the way to end up a length short at the wire. Needs some luck to go his way for a change but has definitely got the potential to win at this level. Has to beat the best to win here but still shouldn’t be far away at the finish. Likely to finish ITM here. The Next Big Thing 10/1 (Fantastic Light x Cozzene x Caro (IRE) migman11 The only grey in the field, trainer migman11 has had him in dirt sprints for most of this year. He has shown promise on the turf but has never managed to win a stakes race and could be a bit outclassed here. A small field gives him some hope of placing but it all depends on how he reacts to jumping back to turf routes for the first time since the start of the year. Place chance. Always Demoney (SAF) 21/1 (Horse Chestnut (SAF) x Raise a Man x Wild Again) cheyenne15 Very lightly raced as a juvenile, this chestnut colt has done a lot to suggest he can win at this level. Ran on nicely to finish 4th in a stakes race 2 starts back but other than that there’s not a lot to go on. Has yet to break the triple digit speed figure barrier but is still improving and may yet break it here (albeit at the highest level). Must improve greatly but place chance at long odds. Broad Competition 11/1 (Broad Brush x Polish Numbers x Machiavellian) con10der4 With a lot more runs under his belt than others in this field, this homebred may find this distance a little short. He has recently been good at 10-11F winning a stakes race last start at 10.5F going away. Probably won’t have the speed to go with this field but should be finishing strongly nonetheless. Can’t see him beating the favourite at this distance. With only 7 horses to challenge him and none of them with a record to compare to his, Seeking Sal looks destined to win this race and finish off what has been a stellar year of racing. For me, I’ll take 2-1-4 in the hope of seeing a true sim champion win like a champion should. scootboy