EAAA Division Residency Challenge 12f Turf

Dowelly sends out this impeccably bred 4 year old colt to represent Queensland. He’s a scratch bred Rainbow Quest x Caerleon x Roberto. With that breeding one would expect this colt to love a bit of ground over the turf, which he certainly does. At least he’s shown an affinity for it since late in his 3yo season. Dowelly claimed him 2 races back for a hefty $150k and was rewarded with his charge clearing his first allowance condition in his first effort for his new barn. Lots of upside to this colt who should definitely improve as he continues to mature. However, he’s in against others who have already progressed. Look for a strong effort and continued improvement…and possible a minor check.

Euroalien sends out another former claimer from his cypus barn representing EAAA racing. Bred to love the turf, this Diesis x In The Wings x Luthier runner has absolutely loved and responded to the care from the new barn after being plucked out of a $50k claimer back in May of last year. He’s 7-5-2-0 since the switch. Better yet, 2 of those wins came in Gr 2 stakes, including a 4 ½ length win in the Big City Handicap. His breeder may being crying in his Guiness over at Ireland watching this one, especially if he’s allowed to get loose on the lead here. He will have some competition up front which might be the only thing keeping him from winning.

Representing the Ireland residency, Crawford Inc sends out this 4yo Testa Rossa runner from his buckplace stable. He’s been performing more than capably at the allowance level, having cleared his conditions through his prior 17 races. He’s stepped up to stakes level 4 times, including the recently contested World Cup, without quite the same success. Managed to pick up a 2nd place finish in a relatively weak 5 horse field but didn’t manage a check in the other 3. Today’s distance will be a question mark, as well. He’s managed 10 furlongs well but in his 2 trips further than that he has not finished quite as strongly. Will look elsewhere.

ATC chairwoman Deltatiger brings in her 5 year old El Prado horse from her cryptically named fwcltd stable. He’s fresh off winning the ATC Champions Day race at these same conditions by 5 lengths. It has been almost 2 years since this world traveler has been to the Ireland track where he managed to win his first graded stakes as a 3 year old. He’s managed 5 stakes wins since then, including another Gr 2. He has shown the ability to win either on the front end or from just off the pace. The latter should fit well here as there should be a hot pace to sit behind. In top form and draws a hot jock who has won 5 of his first 16 races this year. What’s not to like?

Beautifully bred (Theatrical x Blushing Groom x Nijinsky) 6 year old arrives from the latte stable of the toplight empire. Betting favorite is in good form though he has only one win to his record since April of last year. He cannot be accused of ducking any competition as 5 of his last 8 races have been in graded company and another coming in the prestigious Smackdown competition. He has been facing the best the division has to offer for the past 8 months and has held his own. Should be able to do more than just hold his own here representing EAAA Racing.

Ace sends this proverbial old warhorse out from her reems11 stable. She’s managed to make the best of her more than modest pedigree of Northern Passage x Andover Man x Highland Ruckus. Ace picked her up for $35k back in 05 and has managed to train her to 7 of her 13 career wins. 2 of those wins came in listed stakes. Old lady has not been racing horribly but her last win came back in November 06. She has had a successful 54 race career up to this point but even in her best days she was not quite up to the ability level of most of the others in here.

Representing the Queensland residency, this 5 year old Thunder Gulch mare is from the bountyhawk stable. Yet another former claimer, she was picked up for a $13.5k tag back in February 06. 5 of her 7 lifetime wins have come for current barn including a 3 race win streak just before her last effort. Last of those wins were in a listed stakes at these conditions in probably her career effort. Last effort in a Gr2 had to be disappointing to trainer considering recent form. Very good race mare is probably in just a bit over her head here against these.

This EAAA entry is a tough read here. 5 year old Century City x Prove Out x Niniski runner has run exceptionally well at this level and distance. Looking at recent PP’s one would think he would fit the 2 mile race better. But he also fits very well here at a mile and a half based on hitting the board in the World Cup before a disappointing run in the Breeder’s Bowl. Plus he is versatile, winning on the front end and stalking. Tempted to just watch him here, though any placing from 1st through 9th for him can be easily envisaged.

If there is a Manila runner in here, it just has to be from jacklad….which is the case here. This 5yo is representing the Queensland side of divided loyalty in this competition. Versatile mare has won from 6 to 16 furlongs and on both surfaces. Her best races have come at this distance on this surface, though. She has also proven that she can run with the boys, placing in 3 of her 4 stakes tries against males. Really like others in here better, especially at her relatively short odds, but can find no reason to really knock her. Expect a professional effort.

And if there is a SAF tagged runner, it must be coming from dragnil. ATC apparently cannot field enough talent from members’ stables and had to tap into one of the communal stables to come up with this 4yo Horse Chestnut colt. He finished 3rd, behind El Fredo, in the ATC Champions Day race at these conditions. Posted career best SP of 95 in that one. He just cleared his nw3l condition before 2 3rd place stakes finishes against fields nowhere near as strong as this one. Deserving of the long odds.

5yo Hawker’s News runner has yet to clear an allowance condition and has not lived up to the promise of that 10 ¼ length win in his debut. Hawkz has tried numerous things to achieve that potential and there have been glimmers, like the 92 SP a few races back. But the only other win came in a starter allowance after the horse was dropped into a claimer. With all due respect to the trainer, it will take a monumental effort here to finish within shouting distance of the winner.