THEIR DANCES Challenge Stakes
New South Wales will host this interesting encounter; The THEIR DANCES Challenge Stakes for all horses, 4 years old and up, 13f on the good turf for a purse of $80,000. Lex Luthor is the major draw card and has been posted at evens to take out this his second race as a 4yo. The race may be over when they are loaded into the gates as he can (and I am tipping will) go wire to wire to win by more than five lengths. If he fails to fire however, there will be an evenly match bunch of eager contenders waiting to knock the champ off.
PP #1 – TETE DEPARTURE(GB) – DIESIS(GB) x KAYF TARA (GB) x DARSHAAN(ENG) (racelord) 5/1
20/9-7-4 for $361,470 – Turf Long Rank : 51
Bred to run long and did so in first race this year as 4yo colt winning the Rank Cactus Handicap Stakes going 14f in 3112 by three and a half lengths. An established long turf Stakes runner with three consecutive 2nd placing going 16f in Stakes then running 3rd in G2 At Night Cap Stakes in last run as a 3yo going 12f beaten by Tete Novembre and Hey Zeus. Is happy to lead or take a sit but jockey R Owen will most likely lead from inside gate. Great form coming in and will be competitive.
PP #2 – AN URBAN LEGEND – MACHIAVELLIAN x KINGMAMBO x NINISKI (martialis) 7/1
26/3-7-3 for $204,626 – Turf Long Rank : 91
5yo horse who has had a rough run of late but turned the corner with 3 length win in Zig Zag Connection Memorial Stakes going 13f last start in 3119 after slow start to year. Tends to get a long way back in races and grinds home but may find a few of these too good. Not entirely out of contention but jockey M Ridenour must ensure he stays in touch with field if he is to improve on his 8% win ratio. Place chance.
PP #3 – LUCKY’S TURF RACER – LANGFUHR x SMART STRIKE x ARAZI (jockster1) 12/1
24/5-2-6 for $76,128 – Turf Long Rank: 7264
Tough assignment for this 5yo horse who placed 3rd in a claimer and backed it up with a 3rd in NW3x company last start going 9.5f. Has never run over 10f on turf and not too sure if he will handle it longer. Faces a mammoth task to overhaul some of these established long turf racers. Will sit mid-field and most likely drop out with 3f to run. Prefer others.
PP #4 – MARQUET RATE – EXCHANGE RATE x MARQUETRY x SEATTLE DANCER (timetofly) 6/1
47/14-9-6 for $473,485 – Turf Long Rank : 170
Great run in 3077 to post SP of 98 to place 3rd in Mambo Jumbo Special Stakes going 12f then placed 2nd in first run this year in 3105 Balding Matters Memorial Stakes going 13f. Has got almost thirteen lengths back last two runs and must ensure he stays in touch. Jockey C Walker still searching for first win this year after twenty rides will continue to do so after this as winner will be too good. Marquet Rate will get the trip and has chance of filling a minor placing.
PP #5 – LEX LUTHOR – EMPIRE MAKER x THEATRICAL(IRE) x SEEKING THE GOLD (galileo) Even
18/9-5-1 for $3,886,166 – Turf Long Rank : 3
This guy has the score on the board and is ready to rock. I suspect he is using this as a lead up to the John Scott in 3147 (hopefully not that race for my sake) and should cruise through this for his tenth win. Jockey P Bangs has twenty five winners from just over a hundred rides this year and should pilot this superstar home for a barnstorming victory this week. 2nd G1 Sydney Derby, 1st G1 Derby de English, 1st G1 Owners Stakes, 1st G1 Ark De Triumph, 2nd G1 Breeders Bowl Turf and 2nd G1 Japan Classic….enough said.
PP #6 – OFF THE BLOCK(FR) – HIGHEST HONOR(FR) x WOODMAN x NUREYEV (lgbost2yo) 13/1
23/5-4-7 for $114,654 – Turf Long Rank : 490
4yo colt that is looking to upset one of the best turf long horses in the Sim. Comes in with NW2t allowance win going 13f and best result is 3rd placing going 16f in Proper Mint Challenge Stakes beaten fifteen lengths. Distance is covered, speed may not be against this field. Jockey S Binzaman will be looking for his sixth win from only thirty races this weekend but may find this assignment to tough. Off The Block will not see my hard earned but stranger things have happened. Will have to run out of his skin to place but would love to see him do well.
PP #7 – RAINBOW MOONSHELL – RAINBOW QUEST x SADLER’S WELLS x KRIS(GB) (cleverdoc) 4/1
50/15-15-5 for $1,499,096 -Turf Long Rank : 24
Possibly the best chance to knock of Mr. Luther. Has been running marathons of late over 16f and should enjoy the shorter trip. Has 2nd in G1 United Countries Handicap, 2nd G3 Winchester Park Cup, 2nd G2 Bluegrass Cup Turf, 3rd G1 Archer Cup and 3rd G2 Longchamp Marathon to his name. First run back this year is tough assignment after great finish to last year winning one and placing 2nd in Ungraded Stakes going 16f. At his best he could give Lex Luther a decent run, however if he is unable to keep time with him, a placing ITM beckons. Jockey L Fontain has nine wins from seventy nine starts this year and I would bet he would love to celebrate his tenth by beating such a great colt in Lex Luther. Runs mid-field will be attempting to pick the champ off in the stretch.
Predictions: 1st – Lex Luther, 2nd – Rainbow Moonshell, 3rd – Marquet Rate.