Reflections Stakes

This week’s main race at Queensland has assembled both established stars and up and comers to race over 6.5 furlongs (1300m) on the firm turf surface. The inclusion of Grade 1 winner and number 3 ranked 3yo sprinting colt POLITICAL VILLAGE(IRE) certainly adds some class to the field but he wont have it all his own way. Add to the mix, 5yo Mineshaft colt MASSACRE, CHRISTMAS JOY and another young gun in DAYS OF PURPOSE(IRE) and we have the makings of a very competitive sprint race. Lets take a look at the contenders,

1. HOLLOW CHRIS(GB) 10/1 ~ trotter200 sends out this 4yo colt from Beat Hollow who has ceratinly found the line well at his last 2 starts. Produced a great win on the Z3 track 2 starts back over a mile and one would think he will need to reproduce that to figure in the finish here. Place chance.

2. OH BLACK WATER 5/1 ~ Locally trained colt from stickup who has been brought to Australia for a change of scenery. Tasted a stakes victory over 6F at CN four starts back but has stuggled to recapture that form recently. Out of a very repected training farm so don’t overlook him !

3. CHRISTMAS JOY(KY) 6/1 ~ Another locally trained colt from empirez who looks to be gearing up for a bright future. Raced against older horses last start here at Queensland in allowance company and aquited himself well when he ran 2nd. Has earned his spot in this race and has the advantage of having one of Queensland’s best jockeys doing the steering in Radke.

4. POLITICAL VILLAGE(IRE) 3/1 ~ An absolute potential superstar in the making is this handsome son of Montjeu out of the iant barn. He was a last start winner at this track when he finished strongly to win the G2 Cane Toad Stakes recording a 113SP. That was after he beat some of the best 3yos to win the G1 Never Ready Sprint. Will take a ton of beating.

5. MASSACRE 3/1 ~ lenny14 sends out this veteran of 39 races who hasn’t been far off them recently. Won well 3 starts back over 6F then finished strongly at Victoria last start to finish 3rd as a short priced favourite. Winner of eleven races so he can’t be treated lightly in this.

6. DAYS OF PURPOSE(IRE) 7/1 ~ Up and Coming 3yo colt who looks likes he’s starting to hit his straps. Has won 4 in a row and 5 of his last 6 starts so there is no doubting his quality. His most appealing attribute is he can win from leading or get back and run on. The main danger to POLITICAL VILLAGE.

7. BAILEY WILSON 9/1 ~ 4yo JOHANNESBURG colt form the michaelb barn who is stepping up in class here following his 2nd placing in allownace company last start at this track. Place chance only in this company.

8. FLUORESCENCE 99/1 ~ Struggling for form in easier races. Definitely past his best and is well out of his depth here.

9. PHOTON MAN 14/1 ~ This fellow from the julann barn is facing some slick opposition here and is eligible for easier assignments. Not this time.

10. CHIVES 9/1 ~ A capable runner on the dirt, this son of Mr Greeley doesn’t appear to have the SPs required on turf to challenge the favourites in this even though he has won on turf before.

My selections are POLITICAL VILLAGE to win from DAYS OF PURPOSE with CHRISTMAS JOY to finish 3rd. Good luck all.