The Princess Bow(IRE) Stakes

Glad to see you all back here again at the Qld track with a massive race card today.  With the Graded race today this one is 2nd in stature for today of course is The Princess Bow(IRE) Stakes named after Princess Bow an 11 year old mare out of Generous (IRE) with a record of 5 wins out of 33 races. She was known for her sprints on turf and earned just over a total of $123,000 in her career.  On to the card then for todays race.

Post 1:             7/2       OJAI HIGH           (ojai)

4yo mare out of High Yield with a record of 11-8-5 out of 31 starts.  Just over half a million bucks in earnings she has a pretty good win percentage I tell ya.  Running consistenly of late in the 90’s she is a definite threat in this race.  Trained by ojai, I can tell you the owner is expecting a top 3 finish here if not the win outright.  This race is over 6 furlongs which suits her down to a tee.    Definite possibility of taking this out.

Post 2:             3/1       HARD KNOCKS(IRE)        (roundtable)

Lightly raced 4yo mare out of Hawk Wing who originates from that great county in Ireland.  The current owner / trainer only picked her up in June and has had remarkable success with her since.  Moving her back onto turf she produced 3 wins in a row over the 7 ½ to 8 furlong range.  Speeds in the 90’s and one at 101 she can this girl and the current trainer is making the most out of her.  She seemed to fade last time out over 6 furlongs but that may well have been a one-off.  See what she does here but I like her I have to say.

Post 3:             17/1     SHEMAKESMEBEGOOD(IRE)                        (mepere)

Shemakesmebegood.  Sounds like my wife!  Out of the very impressive Theatrical (IRE) has raced 13 times for 3 wins with 2 of those wins on turf.  Another one that is going to have to hold onto the pace until the finish line and will also need to pick up her speed to bring it in today.  By the bookies is the longshot of the race at 17/1 but Im guessing she will be running midpack.

Post 4:             3/1       HIGH ON GABOR(KY)                      (gabor)

14 starts for 9 wins.  8 of those wins on turf. Bred out of Cryptoclearance this one has been running well in form with 4 wins out of the last 5 outings.  Last time was a run in the G2 Cooked Cabbage Cup which resulted in a win by half a length over 7 ½ furlongs.  Very classy this one – my pick for today.

Post 5:             2/1       GIANT STRIDES(IRE)       (foxon)

The favourite of the race by the bookies and is well bred beyond my wildest dreams (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x FUSAICHI PEGASUS x SEATTLE SLEW).  27 starts for 12 wins with all those wins coming on the turf.  Is definitely going to be pushing for the win and should be a great battle between her and High On Gabor.  This is her distance too – look out for Giant Strides.

Post 6:             9/1       CAN’T TAKE A TRICK                     (turfy)

The oldie of the race at 7yo she is going to need a very good effort in this one.  Certainly she can’t take a trick having drawn a race with some of the class that is in here today.  Her stats are 56 races for 11 wins so she knows her way around the track.  Was up against it last time out in the G2 Independence Day BB Stakes but ignoring that she has been performing solidly.  Will need to produce an outstanding effort today though.

Post 7:             12/1     TURF ENOUGH(KY)           (elagou)

Turf Enough is a 3yo mare out of Storm Boot with only 12 outings for her 5 wins.  Trained by elagou she is inexperienced and only just feeling her way at this level.  She debuted last time out at the Stakes level with an impressive 2^nd place finishing over 7 furlongs. I feel that this is going to be too short for her as she tends to come from behind.  Still I could be wrong – be interesting as well to see how she runs at this level over this distance today.  I think she will be finishing fast that’s for sure.

My picks for this race are:

HIGH ON GABOR(KY)     

GIANT STRIDES(IRE)

HARD KNOCKS(IRE)