Sweet, Sweet Vengeance

“Haven’t we been here before?”, was the thought crossing my mind the moment I began writing this article. This event could prove to be one of the great re-matches in sim history, with three participants looking to cement the result of a spectacular New South Wales stakes race a fortnight ago. Let’s take a look and see how things shape up.

1. KINGSNAKE – kingfish – This filly really has over the past year or so proven to be an incredibly talented young lady. After winning her first five on the trot, including a grade three, she seemed to lose her consistency spark for a while, but then bounced back with a vengeance. Last time out she really put in a stellar performance posting a speed of 107(remarkable for a 3yo filly), only to become the victim of highway robbery, losing out on the win, but still securing second place. A repeat of this run will make her ever so hard to beat in this week’s similar condition, but she could be a little vulnerable with only the two weeks rest.

2. MONGOOSE JEDI – photo41st – On first impressions one could get the feeling the raw speed may just not be there for this one to be in the hunt, but shrewd placement in races has thus far bore much success and got the horse into a top thirty ranking. The indication is that she’ll run out of ground here, but that stamina sits well if things become a little speedy early and the field begins tiring.

3. HIT IN MID AMERICA – kaif011 – Another horse who has climbed the ranks quite spectacularly through careful placement rather than outright raw speed. It’s likely this girl also may find it difficult staying with the leaders early on, but the fact she has and knows how to win can’t be overlooked. Improvement will be needed, but it’s not an insurmountable task.

4. TEACH ME THE TANGO (AUS) – laramie – This lady finds herself as the ‘second to outsider’ in the field, and her work really looks to be cut out. Success thus far comprises only a maiden and allowance win, and unfortunately not much else. She has stakes experience from her two year old campaign, and makes her first three year old attempt here. Whilst trying to sound too harsh, all that could really be hoped for is to perhaps stroll past one or two spent horses through the stretch.

5. URKO’S PIRATE (IRE) – stalpipo – A very nice little filly who looks to be at her best at this distance; doesn’t mind an off track either according to her last run. Alas however this time the track is rated fast. Graded company doesn’t seem to daunt her in the slightest, and her speeds of late won’t have to improve much to have her in the hunt here for a top three. The clued up punter would be silly to leave her out of the box.

6. ANALYZE THIS (IRE) – overbrooks  – Quite a solid, reliable little lady who rarely seems to put in a bad run. She may well have preferred a little more distance here, or at the very least in the near future. An interesting experience last week saw me have doubts about a similar runner to this one, and although thrilled for the trainer, was a little surprised to see reliability and consistency win out over sheer speed. For this reason I give this girl every chance here, it can happen with this type, I’ve seen it first hand.

7. SHARP IVOR (GB) – grimreeser – Here my friends is the thief who stole victory from our #1 runner a fortnight ago. In mysterious yet highly spectacular style this girl found herself in a race that bore little difference at all to her previous runs, yet suddenly found unbelievable speed posting a run a staggering 10 speed points higher than she’d ever run in her career. Despite this the odd writers don’t appear to have much faith only placing her fourth in line. I disagree, she did it before and she’s every chance of doing it again, as with the #1 however, coming off such a run as before, will the two weeks rest be sufficient to continue that great form.

8. COLD STORAGE – springtime – If memory serves me correctly this girl was in fact the favourite for that great race a fortnight ago,between KINGSNAKE and SHARP IVOR (IRE). On that occasion she once again proved what a brilliantly consistent runner she is at this level and distance, only being beaten out by a rare monumental and spectacular battle. So putting that last race down to bad luck rather than an out performance, she’s right there for this one. Whilst the two rivals look to deal with their own battle, I’m sure this one has plans to teach both of them a lesson.

9. ALBERTA GOLD – bertaal – Very impressive blue blood flows through this girl, from three of the arguably best lineages horse racing has to offer. I am curious in the interesting order the three have been placed, and the reason for the decision, but anyway. It’s hard of course to be critical of a 3yo filly that’s touched the magic 100 speed mark on two occasions, but I wonder if the trainer was perhaps expecting a little more, given the royal bloodlines. Lining up in this one she’s only perhaps a whisker off the speed of the front runners under normal circumstances, but may find it tough given the unique battle royal brewing amongst a few here.

10. TIZ Z FRENCH – frenchtart – (I met this Parisian girl a long time ago  …never mind) – A marvellous showing at her last start saw this girl really hit the ground running once sent out beyond the ten furlong mark. She was perhaps a little unlucky not to win having posted such an impressive speed for the race distance, and looks like she could comfortably go even further. The post arriving at nine furlongs here may prove her greatest hurdle, but with the obvious staying power, a large burst through the stretch might throw a cat amongst the pigeons.

11. BONNIE BLUE BUDA – godmother – Although still very early in her career this little girl hasn’t yet found the pace required to run with this pack, evident by her status as outsider in this field. She has the maiden and first allowance win boxes ticked off, but probably needs a few more wins at allowance level to really step up and be counted. It’ll be very tough for her today, but should at least take away the experience from it, and tuck away for later reference.

12. COMPENSATION – lenny12 – A comfortable stakes win last time out in the DelPenn vs. GRSimsters event sees the trainer stretch this one even further, and for good reason. Over five lengths were found in the last quarter over the then leader, showing there was plenty of steam left in the lungs. Considering the confidence in the odds line, it wouldn’t be a surprise in the slightest to see this girl rain on the whole expected parade of the ‘re-match’ runners.

What a race this shapes up to be, a good four to five genuine prospect s here with three little ladies out to prove a follow up point. Additionally we have runners capable of winning, who couldn’t give a toss about a silly race a fortnight ago. This certainly rates as one of the most personally anticipated races I’ve wanted to watch, where a runner of my own isn’t competing. I hope those reading are looking forward to this as much as myself. Good luck to all racing, and may they come back in one piece.