The Aussie Queen (G1) – 8 Millionaires in the lineup…….. Who could ask for more?

$3,000,000 The Aussie Queen (G1)

4/6/2019 (Post Time 3:00pm EST)

3yr Olds and upward, Open

10 Furlongs – Firm Turf

 

Welcome to Australia mate! Today 13 colts and 1 mare will be contesting for the top prize in this $3 million dollar affair. What surprises me is the name. It’s called the Aussie Queen but it’s an event open for colts and geldings? Oh well, at least one mare has risen to the occasion in an attempt to claim the girls victors. No 3yr olds have chosen to join the mix, we have 8 millionaires of the bunch and three still searching for their first taste of graded glory. Let’s go over the field…

 

 

 FARHHGO FLYER (16-1)

Trainer: jms13            Jockey: O.A. Haack

One of the more lightly raced colts out of the bunch is this 4yr old colt by Farhh. Been facing some very tough company recently in the three consecutive G1 races run. Was getting close in the yielding grass two back in the King Kong when placing second. Been well beaten in the other three graded tries since his last win in the Adam Gene last July. Has the ability to get a piece with the right setup but is coming in here without having run in 9 weeks.

 INDEED HE NEEDS (8-1)

Trainer: bigmac          Jockey: V. Reed

He’s a G2 winning son of Lonhro that’s been doing pretty well for himself, being just shy of that million-dollar marker. The unfortunate thing for this fellow is that he’s not won in almost a year. Rounding back into form right now off of 2.5 months of down time. It appears that he might have changed his racing tactics to a more forwardly placed runner, after his last two, and that can help him in here. Better M/L odds than I would have given, but he’s no slouch.

 RIGHTEOUS KRIS (6-1)

Trainer: dominant       Jockey: D. Evans

Gets the luck of being the betting favorite here after two very successful, hard fought outings where he came up a few steps short in his rally to claim himself the victor. Another in here who hasn’t won in a while, June 30 to be exact. All in all he’s improved position in every race showing that even in an off day, he can still make up ground. Will make himself present when the wire is approaching, but will it be too late? Would love an honest pace to run into.

 BLUSHING WELL (8-1)

Trainer: oldmoonelite5          Jockey: R. Hansen

Been on fire recently! Back to back G1 wins in the Mr. Met Cap and the Fall Tent Show and winner in 4 of his last 6 overall. This 5yr gelding by King Kamehameha could have been yours back on 6/9/18 for 300 credits and $150k when placed in a Japan restricted claimer. Shot up the ladder from there and hasn’t looked back. Definitely a contender here for top prize as his running style should be a perfect fit. Goes over $2 million in earnings with a good placing.

 TETE CIRYAHER (11-1)

Trainer: racelord3       Jockey: J. Ledwith

This deep closer sired by Heart’s Cry, needs a quick pace up front to set him up for success late. Comeback effort from 5 months of vacationing after the Arc De ComicDog loss wasn’t exactly what the trainer was wanting to see. Second start back now and racelord3 is really hoping the rust has been kicked off. Also a non-winner since June. His fate will be determined by pace scenarios and will. I see him as a backend exotics play.

 HARTHILL (20-1)

Trainer: kevoman5    Jockey: M. Wallace

Continued rolling along the local scene with a fantastic score in the Japan Local Championship Stakes last out. Faced graded company only one other time back in April of ’18 and faded to fourth after leading the entire way. No doubt that he will be the one trying to set the pace in here, but have to feel that his inexperience at this level will show a similar fate to previous attempt. Distance is not a problem and may carry speed if left alone at top.

 STEEL CRUSADER (8-1)

Trainer: desimster1   Jockey: A. Kelly

Scored in the G1 The McKinnon three back in dominant, front running fashion. Normally a just off the pace runner, might want to revert back to similar tactics here with only speed being to his inside. Faces a handful of familiar foes in here that he seen in the King Kong Cup. A couple he beat, a couple he didn’t. A tough call when seeing it was wet that day. Faded in only race this year, so there is a cause for concern. Must find his speed!

 THE BIGGEST DEAL (10-1)

Trainer: mtkg3offspring   Jockey: L. Isreal

Certainly could be a big deal if he brings his “A” game as he has shown in his last two. Needed a few more steps in The Second Coming to earn that graded winners badge. Looks as if he only needs a pace to run at to show his stuff, but he will be bunched up with several others who have his same preferred running style. Trainer definitely know how to get them ready, and wouldn’t be shocked with a great performance.

 ARE YOU MAGNETIC (29-1)

Trainer: lado3      Jockey: P. Bangs

Here’s the longshot for you dream big or go home punters. Didn’t show much of anything in the King Kong which could have been due to the footing or maybe not since he has a front running win on his stat sheet over a wet surface. Hasn’t shown any speed in his last two, which is polar opposite from his previous outings. He’ll need to bring his speed here to have any shot of being in the money because he wants no part of running with some of these closers.

 GREEN LIGHT GO GO (16-1)

Trainer: graywolf6      Jockey: M. Staples

A notch below this level but still maintains strong SP numbers consistently. A very nice prep in a NW2x coming into this race off of a five and a half month break. Best graded placing is when he took third in the Kinsho Kho Classic back in May of 2018. Definitely well rested, but can he finally prove he’s able to take the next step and win one of these? Can’t be certain till we see it, but I’m thinking we’ll get one of his better efforts. A+ on the name but seems better suited for a mare!

 LIGHT CONNECTION (7-1)

Trainer: cygnusx        Jockey: I. Pegram

The only mare of the bunch comes sired by Stay Gold. Has ran vs the boys in each of the last two and didn’t disappoint. Took second in the G1 Mr. Met Cap and won a listed stakes in UAE. She is the #3 ranked mare currently in her class and is showing that she’s not slowing down yet, even at the age of 6. Although I will note she didn’t even start her racing career till the age of 4. Nevertheless, looks strong with these and will find herself in front of the deep closers.

 PREMATURE ARRIVAL (12-1)

Trainer: croissant1      Jockey: P. Harzheim

Faded horribly bad in the King Kong, showing tons of speed but no stamina after leading thru three calls, ended up 11.5 lengths behind the winner. Was given a layoff over three months and returned to the races last month, finishing third in a listed stakes in HK. Comes back on short rest and am wondering if he wasn’t set to fire last out and is now or the owner is just taking the risk of a quick turnaround. You should know early which is the case.

 KALAHANDI (7-1)

Trainer: havoc22        Jockey: J. Robertson

Dalakhani sires this 5yr old colt that’s been serving nice efforts for a while now. Very fast score in G3 National Stakes coming off of the bench. Speed and the outside post is always tough. He did use some off the pace tactics two back in the Farley to finish a nice second. His chances go up if he is able to duplicate that again in here. Worth a long look at the betting window as he is super fit right now.

 TURFOCHARGED (7-1)

Trainer: neworleansmafia      Jockey: H. Harzheim

Comes from a G1 winning millionaire dam who has produced 3 stakes winners. He’s the best sibling to date and has over $2 million in earnings. Suffered disappointing close losses in each of his last four attempts. Could be due for a big race coming in off of two consecutive off track runs. Another that will be leaving quickly from the outside and hopes to keep that nose in front gate to wire. Will push the pace for sure.

 

 

ML: 3 – 14 – 11

Expert Picks: Not going to jinx anyone this time…. lol