Last chance for 2yo glory in the Digging the Grave Handicap
DPCD VI: Digging the Grave Handicap
Six Furlongs on the Firm Turf
All horses, 2 year old
It’s that time of the year again folks; Del Penn Champions Day is here!
It’s the last chance for these 2 year olds to break through for a graded win in their juvenile year and a chance for others to finish off a stellar year in style.
A 13 horse field is set to contest this year’s Digging the Grave Handicap, and it is poised to be a very tough race for punters.
Here’s how the field stands:
1. Danish Law (IRE) 7/1
(Danehill Dancer (IRE) x Law Society (IRE) x Mt.
Already a 3 times stakes winner and sired by recently upgraded Danehill Dancer, papaxerxes has certainly got a talented colt on his hands.
Although he’s only had 1 start in graded company (a mediocre 8th of 14), his last start produced a good run, earning a 91 SP in a very good wire to wire effort.
He’ll have plenty of horses chasing his tail in the stretch and should be a big factor in this race, especially if the rest of the field let him get out to an easy lead.
Look for him to lead early and search for the finish line as the challengers come.
2. Mambo Mine 7/1
(Mineshaft x Kingmambo x Nijinsky II) jockeymax7
This beautifully bred Mineshaft colt has only really got his career going in his last 2 starts where a return to the turf has resulted in 2 wins from 2 races, both with 90+ speed figures and 1 of which was a stakes race.
There’s not a lot of form to consider here other than his last 2 starts which hold up well against the rest of this field, so there’s certainly no discounting his chances.
His stalking running style could well favour him in a race where there are plenty of late closers and only a couple of frontrunners.
Look for him to settle about 1-2 lengths off the pace, and if he’s to win he should start to move up at the halfway mark.
3. Gogh For It (IRE) 13/1
(Peintre Celebre (IRE) x Silver Hawk x Fairy King chesapeke2
This colt comes into this race with just 6 starts to his name and a stakes win to boot and yet he’s one of the outsiders of the field.
There’s no telling just how much a 2yo can improve in one of these races, even at this time of year, but he’ll have to produce something special to win here.
His recent performances have been ok with a couple of speed figures in the low 80’s, but that simply won’t be good enough here.
Unless he can somehow force himself into the mid 90’s, his chances here are limited.
If he’s on song, he’ll close late from a long way back.
4. Lexi’s Smile 12/1
(Include x Fusaichi Pegasus x Red Ransom) claybornfa
If you don’t have great eyesight, you might wonder what compelled claybornfa to enter this son of Include into such a tough field.
Only once has he done anything worthy of note this year and that was 2 starts back in a 7.5F NW3L allowance race where a 91 SP was good enough for the colt’s 2nd win.
A real mystery case as his last run was not great but was better than previous races and the 5.5F may have been a bit short.
If he can step up to the plate here and run mid-90’s he should satisfy his trainer’s hopes and might just squeeze his way into the money.
Another runner that will likely push backwards before charging up the stretch.
5. Dark Passage 10/1
(Dansili x Lear Fan x Alleged) super21
7 times a starter, 4 times a winner with 2 stakes wins and a grade 3 victory under the belt; not a bad résumé for any 2 year old.
The super group have certainly handled their charge extraordinarily well despite a disappointing 8th at the World Cup.
Other than that run, which suggested the colt prefers sprinting to the mile trip at this stage of his career; he has performed well all year and comes into this race fresh from an 8 week break.
He might struggle a bit with the lack of pace in the race, but he’s sure to mount some sort of run home from the back of the field.
Expect him to be shooting home as the line draws close.
Good Claims if the speed fits.
6. Salahadini 16/1
(Forestry x War Chant x Lyphard) zalduendo
After not starting the year in the best of form, this colt’s chances rely on the improvement he showed in his last start.
After managing a small stakes win last start with an 86 SP, his trainer may have gained some confidence in this son of Forestry.
If his last start was a fluke, it’s likely he’ll finish a long way back here and even if it wasn’t, he’ll have to improve again to be any sort of threat in the race.
He’s not without a chance, but needs to step up after a mediocre season minus the last start.
Should provide some speed to the race as he likes to hang up front or on the leader’s shoulder.
If he can grab the lead early he’ll still have to hold on for what will seem an eternity against some late closers, so probably a place chance at best.
7. Joe Loop 29/1
(Stormy Atlantic x Lure x Persian Bold)
A very lightly raced colt has the gauntlet thrown down to him here, having had just 4 starts for 2 wins with a best speed figure of 83.
Unless he shows something special, this could be just as tough for him as the odds suggest.
He certainly looks a promising type but may find this a bit tough so early in his career.
Likes to stay on or around the pace but is likely to sit about 2 lengths off the leaders here and try and stay with them up the stretch.
8. Doth’raki 7/1
(
The given stables send out this promising
His form has been solid and his fast finishing 4th in his last start, the Grade 1 Duetoburst Stakes, showed he can mix it with the best in the turf sprinting division.
Very tough to ignore and is likely to get a long way back before absolutely flying home late.
Ignore at your peril.
9. Crezzino (
(Cacique (IRE) x A.P.Indy x Mr. Prospector) allvindy
The number 3 ranked turf sprinting juvenile colt, Crezzino has plenty going for him entering into his last graded race for the year.
Having run in the Grade 1 Nationwide Stakes and the Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Turf in his last two races, class should prove no problem here as long as he can put a solid race together.
Incredibly lightly raced with this being just his 6th start over 8 months, he should have a big 3yo year ahead of him.
Generally sits up the front and if he can manage to get the lead early his chances will be a lot better.
Genuine chance.
10. Valyrian Steel 7/1
(Unbridled’s Song x
The winner of the 7F turf smackdown race, this son of Unbridled’s Song has had a tough last 2 starts, finishing well back in the Grade 1 High Flyer Stakes and a well-beaten 3rd at stakes level last start.
He’ll need to show a preference for sprinting if he’s to take this home as his last 2 starts have produced mid to low 80’s speed figures.
Normally sits mid-pack but may sit further back if the pace is on.
If he’s going to stamp himself down as a genuine graded level horse, this is as good a chance as ever.
Good chance if things go his way.
11. Boom Gate (
(Rainbow Quest x Theatrical (IRE) x Danehill) thegeneral
The classiest horse in the field and the fastest so far, this colt seems bred for longer races but has performed well in his juvenile year regardless.
He seemed to relish the mile last start as he produced a very impressive 96 SP to knock over a nice stakes field.
This trip seems too short for him but with a 2nd place in the World Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, he certainly has every right to go into this race as a well-supported favourite.
Expect him to move mid-pack but to keep the leaders in sight before charging home late up the stretch.
Deserved favourite and tough to beat on his day.
12. Mr. Universe 15/1
(Rock Hard Ten x Storm Cat x A.P. Indy correction
His 2yo season has been all over the place with 3 dirt runs, 5 turf runs, 1 attempt at a mile and 2 stakes wins that were not as impressing as his stakes-placed effort 2 starts back.
The 83 SP over 5.5F was an improvement on past efforts but it definitely doesn’t put him in the same class as the favourites here and he’ll have his work cut out trying to stay with them.
If he shows some rapid improvement he might stun the entire field but if he doesn’t get a nice bounce off his last start with the surface change, he’ll struggle.
Place chance at best.
13. Re Dou It Again (AUS) 11/1
(Redoute’s Choice (AUS) x Smart Strike x Nureyev) willyam41
Last but not least is this Redoute’s Choice colt with a single blemish to his 5 start career coming last time out where he finished well back among restricted stakes company.
He should be able to bounce back here, but the question is by how much?
If he’s able to produce something special, he might have a shot, otherwise he’s unlikely to place here.
The most discouraging point for punters is his seemingly obvious tendency towards route/mile races rather than sprints.
His only sprint effort so far was his debut and that was less than impressive despite the 2nd place finish.
He will try to stay close to the leaders if he can, for as long as he can.
Distance a worry, look elsewhere.
Well, that’s the line-up from top to bottom.
As for my tips, I’ll go with Doth’raki to get up in a close finish with Dark Passage and Boom Gate filling the minor placings.
Happy punting and enjoy a great day out at the Del Penn Champions Day!