Queensland Lea Sands Special Stake Preview
Overview: The “Lea’s Sand Special” Stake, a 6 furlong event, contested over a firm Queensland turf course, has drawn a well balanced field of six colts and two fillies featuring Bbudgie’s’s Far Call as a modest 7/2 favorite. Trainer Alagou’s Test The Slew and Bizen’s Bullet’s Edge, both coming off impressive Stakes wins are 4/1 and 5/1 respectively and should provide the main competition. The longest odds given here are 8/1 and that means they all have a decent shot at the purse.
The field:
PP-01 FAR CALL ( 7/2 ) Trainer BBUDGIES … Jockey T. Brett ( .100 )
Class Rating: 10.60 Speed Rating: .766
Training: ( 3 ) weeks since last race Maiden Spl Weight ( 1st )
Overview: Son of
Prediction ( 4th )
PP-02 TEST THE SLEW(AUS) ( 4/1 ) Trainer ALAGOU … Jockey T. Cox ( .102 )
Class Rating: 5.30 Speed Rating: .161
Training: ( 5 ) weeks since last race 95,000 Stake ( 1st )
Overview: This improving son of Tessa Rosa(Aus) is a head shy of being unbeaten in his three turf tries, last race Test The Slew rallied dramatically to win the Ratty Dancer Stake. Trainer Alagou has a good one here and his hardest choice might turn out to be which surface to run him on as “Slew” has also won a Stake on the dirt at first asking, which is quite an accomplishment. I think he’ll be flying late and has an excellent chance to score here. Prediction ( 2nd )
PP-03 BULLET’S EDGE ( 5/1 ) Trainer BIZNES … Jockey C. Wyatt ( .212 )
Class Rating: 5.02 Speed Rating: .842
Training: ( 10 ) weeks since last race 90,000 Stake ( 1st )
Overview: It’s obvious that this classy son of Langfuhr loves the turf. Bullet’s Edge has never been worse then 2nd, has annexed ( 2 ) Stakes wins in his last two starts. If that’s not enough to recommend him he also has a top jocket in Wyatt, excellent early speed and should have no problem securing a good position early. Bullet’s Edge is lightly raced and well rested, so it’s obvious that trainer BIZNES takes great care in spotting him. Prediction ( 1st )
PP-04 CHANGE O’ LUCK(AUS) ( 5/1 ) Trainer SABALOU … Jockey T. Phillips ( .094 )
Class Rating: 8.58 Speed Rating: .163
Training: ( 7 ) weeks since last race Conditioned Allowance ( 1st )
Overview: One look at the breeding lines of Change O’ Luck and two things are immediately obvious, he’ll like the turf and the Round Table influence means he’ll probably have no problems routing, I’m not sure if this is the spot trainer Sabalou is pointing for, I’m thinking that he may be running him a bit short here to tune him for the lucrative longer routes coming up. Either way, Change O’ Luck is well rested and should get up for a share of this purse, look for him to “FLY” late, but I think he’ll be a bit short here. . Prediction ( 3rd )
PP-05 GO VERTIGO ( 5/1 ) Trainer TEJANOROY … Jockey Y. Carpenter ( .159 )
Class Rating: 9.85 Speed Rating: 0.445
Training: ( 7 ) weeks since last race Grade-3 Stake ( 9th )
Overview: It will be interesting to see how Go Vertigo fares in his first grass try. His breeding suggests that the dirt will more than likely be his preference, however he does have the stretch running running style that usually fits the turf course well. He’s fresh and a slice of this purse certainly is possible, but even though he tried a Grade-3 last out this is still a healthy class jump for Go Vertigo.
PP-06 P INDY P ( 8/1 ) Trainer OOSTENDE3 … Jockey V.
Class Rating: 11.03 Speed Rating: .741
Training: ( 7 ) weeks since last race Conditioned Allowance ( 1st )
Overview: At first glance, the fact that P Indy P had to drop into the Maiden claiming ranks to score his first win, would cause most handicappers to dismiss his chances here.
However, his next score an allowance win in an improving and competitive 74 speed figure should make most take a closer look. I also like his running style, just off the leaders and also the nice seven week spacing. It definitely would be an upset if he wins but a minor share is well within his capabilities.
PP-07 WHITE ROCK(IRE) ( 5/1 ) Trainer PAULDU … Jockey S. Deberg ( .129 )
Class Rating: 13.60 Speed Rating: .135
Training: ( 5 ) weeks since last race Maiden Spl Weight ( 1st )
Overview: Scored a nice maiden win in her only effort, but did it in a rather uninspiring 64 speed rating. While this daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) is definitely bred for the turf he just seems to have several strikes against her in this crowd. She needs to improve her speed figure by about 12 points to challenge these and also she is not going to get a prime closeup early position and to rally past her classy male challengers looks like too tall an order. Looks promising and with some more seasoning could challenge this level after several more races.
PP-08 CRUSADERS AGAIN ( 8/1 ) Trainer SNAKESFOOT … Jockey A. Epps ( .098 )
Class Rating: 5.65 Speed Rating: .788
Training: ( 10 ) weeks since last race Maiden Spl Weight ( 1st )
Overview: Trainer Snakesfoot has taken an interesting approach to training Crusades Again. First he entered Crusaders Again in a Stake race on the dirt and even though she finished sixth that day she did flash some good early speed and recorded a decent 66 speed rating, interestingly Snakesfoot then moved her to the turf and Crusaders early speed translated to the grass and he scored her Maiden win in her 2nd try. Snakesfoot has given Crusaders Again a good rest and is now hunting for bigger game, I think she’ll challenge for the lead early, and should give a good account but I think there’s too much class here.
Race Preview: I look for Bullet’s Edge, Crusaders Again, P Indy P and Far Call to challenge for the lead early, with Bullet’s edge able to draw clear and Test The Slew (Aus) and Change O’ Luck (Aus) in “HOT” pursuit late.
Keys to Class Rating: The lower the number the better the CLASS rating.
Keys to Speed Rating: The higher the number the better the “EARLY” speed.