A Mile Down Under.

THE SYDNEY MILE

Thirteen entrants have come to Victoria, Australia for this year’s Grade 1 event.  We have 7 graded winners in the field, 3 that have earned over a million dollars, and one that is a former Equine of the Year that has amassed over 5 million in earnings.  A true International field with 3 local Australian breds, 3 from England, 3 from Kentucky, 2 from Ireland, 1 each from Turkey and South Africa.  Only 3 scratchbred entries will take to the gate and 2 runners will be wearing the silks of davarto.

The race will be held on the turf course at a distance of 1 Mile and is open to 3 year olds and older; of which we have 5 four year olds, 4 five y/o, 3 six y/o, and 1 seven y/o.  The purse for the race is $1.5 million.  3pm EST on Saturday April 21st.

1- BLUE KORNSNAKE                   (25-1)             qwikvett                12-5-1-0        K. Orn

6yo  ENG    sire: DUBAWI        dam: YELLOW KORNSNAKE      BEST SP: 110

Has made 2 uninspiring starts so far this year, a 4th in the Phargad Lord Turf Challenge and a 10th in the G1- Mr. Met Cap both at 10f.  Has made 5 G1 starts with only result being  a win over a yielding turf in the Japenese 2000 Guineas.  Will be scaling back here to the mile distance but I don’t think that will be enough to put him in the hunt.

2- STOLEN CLASSIC                      (15-1)                mtk76                 12-6-1-1        M. Kelly

4yo  KY      sire: BAYERN       dam: RIGHT OF REFUSAL       BEST SP: 116

The only gelding came off a 3 month break to win a NW2n allowance with Kelly in the irons.  Has made 3 graded starts with the best result being a 2nd in the G1- New Zealand 2000 Dark Beers.  Has hit the board in 7 out of 9 since switching to the turf with 5 wins.  This closer has a chance to be in the mix.

3- APPROACHING FAST             (34-1)                 corza                  15-2-1-3       K. Ledwith

4yo  AUS    sire: FASTNET ROCK    dam: GIANT’S APPROACH     BEST SP: 106

Has had off tracks in 2 of 3 races this year.  Has been in 5 Graded turf routes hitting the board once a 2nd in the Great Volt in August.  Has never won any race that was over 7f.  I Can’t see him making his breakthrough here.

4- KEMBLA GRANGE                    (5-1)                    liam                   19-8-5-2      T. Small

5yo  KY    sire: QUALITY ROAD   dam: LEVENDALE    BEST SP: 117

Last time out was caught finishing 2nd in a 75k allowance.  Has never been below 104 SP in any of 14 turf races posting 6 wins.  Last graded win was the G2- Usain Bolt in October 2016.  This front runner will be hoping he can hold them all off.

5- ONE LIFE                                     (22-1)              king2011              13-8-0-1       G. Arnold

7yo  AUS    sire: DENMAN    (scratchbred)     BEST SP: 108

The only 7 year old is an accomplished turf sprinter with 8 wins in 12 starts, but only has 1 race at a Mile the Single Cat Turf Special finishing 9th.  He made 2 graded sprints starts without any success.  Can not see him challenging here at this distance.

6- JETNIKOFF                                (9/2)              ladofmanor          14-8-2-0      D. Givins

5yo  ENG    sire: SEPOY    (scratchbred)     BEST SP: 119

He has won both of his 2018 starts.  The G2- Futility Stakes and the Individual Knee Turf Stakes.  Has won 7 of the 13 turf routes he has entered.  This front runner will have to be accounted for here.

7- CALOOCAN                                  (6-1)               theduke88            21-105-1      M. Scott

5yo  ENG    sire: KINGMAN    dam: GOLDBUG     BEST SP: 114

Returned in March after a 4 month layoff to win  a NW2s allowance.  Last graded win was the G2- Celebration in August.  Had 1 second in 3 G1 starts.  Has hit triple digit SP’s in 13 straight turf races.  Scott has 1 prior win in the saddle.  The mid pack stalker can’t be counted out.

8- GALEB DHUR                           (4-1)               davarto                  24-8-4-2     F. Gossett

6yo  IRE    sire: GALILEO    dam: BEAUTIFUL KY     BEST SP: 120

Has a 3-2-1 record in his last 10 starts all of which were G1, 1 mile events.  His last win was the G1- Suffix in July.  18 straight starts in triple digit SP’s.  Gossett has 3 trips to victory lane in 7 previous rides.  The ML favorite should be a contender all day.

9- RAIN SPIRIT QUEST              (5-1)            stockswami              26-8-5-5     T. Ace

6yo IRE    sire: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT   (scratchbred)     BEST SP: 119

Ran 3rd in last outing the G2- Futility Stakes. Has 8 career turf route wins, with the last being the G2- Gas Station Mile last January.  Posted his best SP in the G1- Sand Castle Fee Duty last year.  Ace rode him to a 3rd in 2015.  Has shown the speed and the willingness to win.

10- ORPHEUS CADET                 (8-1)                 cadet                     24-14-5-0     A. Jolly

5yo  AUS    sire: REDOUTTE’S CHOICE    dam: MAMA FORTY     BEST SP: 120

Won his tuneup a NW2y local allowance.  Has made 16 straight graded starts including EQUINICS 2016 winning Gold in the Northern Dancer.  Has missed the board in last 4 G 1’s since running 2nd here in Sydney Mile last year.  A strong contender looking for revenge.

11- DESHAFT                               (117-1)           alphaandomega       36-15-3-2     F. Teising

6yo TUR    sire: DEHERE    (scratchbred)    BEST SP: 98

Did not fair well in either of his starts this year (1 dirt & 1 turf).  All 3 of his turf wins have been route distances.  Only 1 graded race a 9th place in the G2- Paris Counsel.  Most experienced horse in the field and had an 8 race win streak in 2015.  Just doesn’t appear to have it in this field.

12- DUST SETTLES                    (13-1)                   tees                      11-5-4-0       M. Zeus

4yo  KY    sire: GIANT’S CAUSEWAY    dam: NINIANNE     BEST SP: 117

Comes in with a 3 race winning streak and put up 117 in last win in the Rain Joe Turf Challenge.  Will be going to the post for the first time at the graded level.  Has picked up 5 wins and 4 seconds in career all in turf routes.  Recent form suggests he may just surprise here.

13- WHATS THE PRICE           (17-1)                davarto                   11-4-4-2      D. Evans

4yo  SAF    sire: MARCHFIELD    dam: HAMMER PRICE     BEST SP: 115

Making his first start of the year.  Last race just before Christmas came in 8th in G3- Honery Queen’s Plate the only time in his career he didn’t hit the board.  In only other graded start was 2nd in the G2- Emirates.  Second davarto entry will have to overcome the outside post against tough company.

MY SELECTIONS

10- ORPHEUS CADET

8- GALEB DHUR

9- RAIN SPIRIT QUEST