North The Baby Handicap
Seven 3yo sprinters line up for this weeks NORTH THE BABY Stakes, named after a real warhorse of the Sim who amassed an impressive 93 starts in his career and saluted on 19 occasions collecting nearly $320k in the process. There’s certainly a couple of real up and coming types engaged in this race who look set for a bright future. Let’s take a look at the field.
1. LANGAFLEET(JPN) (12/1) ~ Bred and currently raced by the hc74 barn, this son of Afleet looks to be facing a difficult task here going on his last few starts in tough dirt stakes races. Would need to improve a few lengths and recapture some of his old turf form to figure in the finish but has been able to secure the services of a pretty handy jock so can’t discard.
2. CAPE BRETON(IRE) (45/1) ~ Ciarannby’s colt looks to be completely out of his depth here and running a place would really surprise. His current best SP on turf is 59 which would struggle to win a $2K claimer. Not here.
3. TOP OF THE HILL(JPN) (6/1) ~ Parramatta’s beautifully bred Forty Niner colt isn’t a superstar but deserves his chance here after some acceptable form in allowance class races recently. An on pace runner, he will certainly be in the thick of it when the whips are cracking. His form of 1 win from 12 starts suggests he finds it hard to win so more likely a place chance.
4. RURAL LAW(IRE) (9/2) ~ Vettori saddles up this handy son of Law Society who found immediate success when he stepped out on turf for the first time 3 starts back and handsomely won a stakes race over 1300m. This was followed by a great 3rd in another stakes over 1900m recording an excellent 92SP in the wet before things went pear shaped last start over the same distance where he failed to beat a runner home. He does look to have ability but needs to lift after last start’s failure and is dropping way back in distance. Take on trust.
5. LAUREANO(AUS) (9/5) ~ This talented son of Lonhro from the respected Scout4 stable looks to be the real deal. He’s been well placed by the trainer at his previous starts and hasn’t let him down, posting 2 excellent stakes wins in just a short 5 start career. This race looks no harder than his last two starts so looks the obvious favourite. Future Graded wins looks a real possibility for this fellow and is clearly the one to beat here.
6. SHAMBLES(IRE) (5/1) ~ Shamardal colt who took a while to break through for a win but then found a liking to turf and made it two in a row with another win in allowance class last start. The trotter159 camp with have him full of confidence after those wins so is worth consideration on that point alone. Each way chance.
7. BUNDLE OF LIGHT(JPN) (2/1) ~ Above average colt out of the thebigm yard and looks to be the main danger to the favourite going on his efforts in his short career. This nicely bred Fantastic Light colt easily accounted for allowance class 3yos in his first 3 starts winning all 3 then performed well and went down narrowly in his two attempts in stakes races. Will get back early and hit the line hard at the finish. Just a bit concerned that it may be a shade too short for him. Good chance.
Should be an interesting race but I expect LAUREANO to totally dominate from the front and go on to win with plenty in hand. BUNDLE OF LIGHT should run home well for 2nd and TOP OF THE HILL might just hang on for 3rd. Good luck and good punting !!