The Aslan Memorial Turf Classic (6th Running)

As I predicted in the preview, Tenpin Gold made the running out front after rocketing out of barrier 5 and had both Kool Thing and Confederacy sitting a length off him. Cortez, Sunnybank Memorial and Dragnipur sat mid-field with both the leaders and this pack putting far too much ground on the back markers.

Tenpin Gold began to tire as Kool Thing took up the running with 6 furlongs to run as Confederacy cruised along nicely. Everyone was waiting for Sunnybank Memorial and with 5 furlongs left he began to move, making ground at a consistent pace but missing his awesome turn of foot.

In the stretch, Cortez saved ground near the rail for 5th but couldn’t pick up Tenpin Gold who set a honest pace up front, fading badly but held for 4th . All runners behind these two were unable to make any ground and all faded to be well beaten.

The staying contest up front remained as Sunnybank Memorial grinded away but found the deficit too big and failed to secure his forth straight Aslan Memorial. Kool Thing and Confederacy went toe to toe over the last 50m with jockey aboard Kool Thing; B Sipe taking advantage of the barrier to beat Confederacy under a length. Confederacy ran a great race from the widest barrier and could blame this for the lose with Kool Thing Running from barrier 3.

A fantastic staying effort by both horses running SP’s of 103 to end the great Sunnybank Memorial’s stranglehold on this race. Although the time of 2:30 2/5 was slower than all three of Sunnybank Memorials wins in this race, they ran out in front and gave Sunnybank something to chase with the gap proving too big.

Kool Thing may have a big future ahead after making it five wins in a row and back to back Grade 1 victories. His ability to run near the front of the field and extend out to 16 furlongs will see him go on to win many more Graded Stakes taking his record to Record: 18/8-4-1 & $853,642 and his turf long ranking from sixteen to eleven.

Confederacy will also have a great career with another great Grade 1 run ITM and improving his turf long ranking from eight to six.