Queensland Lea Sands Special Stake Recap

        With a furlong to go all eight starters in the Lea’s Sand were within three lengths, trainer Sabalou’s Change O Luck(Aus) still trailed, but he was gaining momentum, and jockey T. Phillips expertly threaded him through the tightly packed field and rallied for a one length victory over Tejanoroy’s Go Vertigo in an exciting victory that had the crowd buzzing long after the race had ended. The son of Lucky Owners(Aus) scored his first Stake victory and at the end, still had lots of run left, this colt looks like he’ll relish the longer Classics.

        As predicted Snakefoot’s filly Crusaders Again streaked out to an early lead, with Biznes Bullet’s Edge and Oostende3’s P Indy P pressing her pace,  Change O Luck and Go Vertigo both unhurried early trailed. The running order remained the same until the field entered the stretch, it was obvious that Change O Luck(Aus) was closing the gap and winding up for a winning effort, but still needed to find an opening. Crusaders Again was tiring but dead game, it looked for a moment like Bullet’s Edge or P Indy P or even Test The Slew(Aus) may prevail, but all three “hung” in deep stretch and Change O Luck’s(Aus) overpowered the field, Go Vertigo followed the leader thru the opening for a well earned place and P Indy P held on for the show slice. When the smoke cleared only 2 ½ lengths separated the top seven finishers, a testimony to how well-balanced the field was.

CHART NOTES:

1.)    Change O Luck(Aus) … Trailed field early, powerful rally to victory with energy to spare.

2.)    Go Vertigo … Reserved in seventh early, steady stretch drive, no match for winner.

3.)    P Indy P … Pressed early pace in third, made winning move, hung in deep stretch.

4.)    Bullet’s Edge …  Stalked pace early, unable to overhaul leader, no stretch rally.

5.)    Test The Slew(Aus) … Reserved midpack early, loomed boldly in stretch but hung.

6.)    Crusaders Again … Early leader controlled pace entering stretch, tired, faded late.

7.)    White Rock(Ire) … Midpack early, wide entering stretch, never reached serious contention,

8.)    Far Call … Favorite tracked pace early, nothing left for stretch run, faded.