“Legendary Lemon” The best is yet to come.
The TUCKING THE LASS Handicap is our overnight stakes race for coverage this week from Victoria Racecourse. Here we see the 3yo horses battle it out for a sweet purse of $85,000, but not only that, we must take note as one of these horses tries to establish itself as a top up and coming sprinter. With many good graded races coming up later in the year for the 3yo sprinters, the time is now or never.
PP1: THORN IN MY SIDE(PA) 36/1
With only 4 starts under its belt, Thorn in my Side will be looking at a tough task today. It’s his first try at stakes level, having only breaking its maiden status 2 starts back. He’s last start effort in a NW2L Alw over the longer journey of a mile, was ordinary to say the least. Something may have gone a miss there, but either way we are going to need to see a drastic improvement. Out of form
PP2: SHAM BREED(IRE) 10/1
Having a winning strike rate of 50% is a real plus for this horse, winning 4 races from 8 tries. Until now trainer taxman has kept this horse down in class. His one try at stakes level was a poor effort running 7/9 over the distance of a mile. In recent runs he has been running right up on the speed, if not leading and today we will need to see a bit better SP# then his best of 89 to be in with a chance.
PP3: SING SYMFONIC(IRE) 4/1
A last start stakes winner, whose form just keeps getting better with every run. Last time out we saw this Singspiel colt jump well, sit outside the leader and edge his way to the front in the straight to win by 1 length, recording an impressive Sp# of 102, over the slightly longer 7f trip. Anything close to the figure today will see this horse returning to the winners stall again. Mick ‘golden hands’ Valley takes the ride.
PP4: JAUNTY JONES(KY) 18/1
Trainer doral, has kept his Smarty Jones colt ticking over beautifully in Alw races in recent weeks. His form is excellent, winning 3 and placed in 2 of his last 5 runs. Today we are going to see a race with a lot of speed out of the gates and it might pay to try different riding tactics on this horse to make the improvement it needs to step up to stakes level. Maybe riding him from the back of the field could see this horse running on late.
PP5: GREENY(GB) 13/1
5 wins from 15 starts is Greeny’s current race record. We’ve seen him runs some ok races in small Alw fields, but really hasn’t shown enough to make me want to select him in today’s field. His top Sp# is 85 and it just isn’t up to this. May mature into a nice 4yo, so it may be wise is to wait on this fella.
PP6: SESTRIERE(KY) 7/2
Beautiful form, excellent Sp figures and 2 stakes wins to this horse’s name, has it firmly in sight of the punter eye. Only one problem, all Sestriere’s form has been on the dirt tracks. The switch to turf is puzzling to me, his only turf run was 2 starts back, when third in an open 3yo Alw, recording a Sp# of 87. Hard to get a guide on with form like that, so its take at your own risk from here.
PP7: WOETTE’S FUSI(FR) 19/1
His form has been good of late in 3yo Alw races. Again, another horse that is really going to need to improve out of sight. I think he might have reached his level 2 starts back. CC Johnson ( 34 – 3 – 4 – 7 – 9% ) is on today. Will pay to watch him.
PP8: SALTYSTICKYSWEET(IRE) 4/1
Trainer phenomenon has this horse getting better every time he hits the race track. His last 2 outings have seen him get pipped in the last furlong in similar races to this one. He is a slight risk if he is challenged out in front, which is something we could see with a whole lot of front runners looking to get that edge out of the gates. Good form and running fast sectionals. Hard to leave out.
PP9: LEGENDARY LEMON(KY) 5/2
With a turf sprint rank of 11, Legendary Lemon has a massive class edge over his rivals today. 4 stakes wins and a G3 win 2 starts back over a mile, has me thinking this horse is destined for bigger and better things. Has been getting back in his races of late, which will suit perfectly here with the hot pace out in front. Leading jockey D Evans ( 332 – 84 – 74 – 41 – 25% ) should steer this Lemon Drop Kid colt to another victory.
PP10: BLUE N BLACK(IRE) 14/1
Won a NW3L Alw last start in good fashion. Sat just off the speed and slowly wore down the leader recording a SP# 87 for his effort. Unfortunately that may be his limit, and maybe a switch to the dirt or a try over more ground will see this horse record better times. Can’t have in my top 3.
PP11: CAT MAKER(KY) 27/1
Likes to lead in his races, as do many others in this field. So many time have I seen a field like this all speeding to the front and setting it up for the back markers. Cat Maker hasn’t really made any improvement from its 2yo year and this may be beyond him.
Whisper from the wizard (value bet):
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