Vixen Slight Favorite in IRC 3yo Turf Sprint

Welcome to Ireland for the First Annual EAAA Division Inter-Residency Challenge. This sixteen race series showcases the best horses from four of the main residencies located in the Eastern Hemisphere; Alpine Turf Club, EAAA, Ireland, and Queensland (presented in alphabetical order so as not to show favouritism). The eight turf races are being held here in Ireland, while the dirt races are being contested over in Queensland. They all have a $75,000 purse, and each residency is allowed to have three entrants per race.

The last race on the card here in Ireland features the wee lads and lasses, the just-turned 3yos, going 6.5 furlongs on firm turf. We’ve got a bit of everything represented, from multiple stakes winners to those who just broke their maiden. Along with that, despite being the EAAA division, we have a wide range of sires represented, from Washington State and Turkey, to Kentucky and Australia. Sadly, there is not a single Irish-bred today, although my dearly beloved King Of Kings (Ire), who carried an IRE tag until the last couple of years, does have a baby here, albeit with the SAF tag which he now bestows upon his offspring. Well, enough of my blathering. Let’s get on with the horseys, shall we?

Breaking on the rail is Global Runner (WA) at 18/1. This fine-looking son of Kentucky Lucky is two for two at today’s distance, and two for three overall. He has been well-placed by owner fortyshade of the Nickesyd racing club here in Ireland, and has improved with each outing. The lovely E C Doyle is in the irons, and her riding style should complement this colt’s penchant for running behind the pacesetters.

Next to him in the two hole is Bombala Strike (KY) at 6/1. A son of the real life star stud Smart Strike, he is ranked #34 in the sophomore turf sprint division. Owned by monaro of the Queensland Residency, he is easily the most experienced colt in the field, having a dozen starts already under his belt. Four of those have resulted in wins, which include two stakes races. The only drawback for him here is that he really seems to be best at 6f or under. Well, that and jockey C. Feller. Yeah, I know…who?

In post three is the first of our lovely ladies, Belly Dance (KY) . A daughter of Mr. Greeley, who is throwing some real nice turf fillies over in Europe in real life, this gal is two for three, and interestingly enough, ran her best speed figure in the loss. She carries the blue and green silks of dowelly3 from the Hunter Valley Stables in Queensland. With Generous (IRE) and Sadler’s Wells on her damside, and a win going away at 7f last time out, I suspect she may want more distance in the future. She goes off at 8/1.

In post four, representing EAAA, is Rezurrection (KY) . Like Belly Dance, he goes off at 8/1. He is a son of the Danzig stallion Dayjur and is owned by dog. He’s only missed the board once in six starts, with two wins. Last time out was his first time on turf, and he responded favourably, winning with an 84 speed figure. Whether he can repeat that or will regress is anybody’s guess, but his chances improve with Mizzi Russell on his back.

My first thought upon catching sight of Struck (TUR) was “get thee to a route.” The lanky brown daughter of Strike The Gold has distance stamped all throughout her pedigree, and she gave a hint of that while posting her best speed figure at 7.5 furlongs. She’s undefeated on turf, and I might have ventured to hope she would stay that way, although she could certainly surprise me. She races for whisperxxv of Whisper Stables in EAAA and surprisingly goes off at 18/1. I guess you have to stand in KY to get short odds around here.

No need to dig further than the surface to figure out which residency Alpine World (AUS) races for. If her name wasn’t enough, owner teamatc1, of Teamatc1 Stables in Alpine Turf Club, would be sure to tell you. A daughter of Spinning World (bet you couldn’t have guessed that one, either) , she broke her maiden last time out in her third try, racing at today’s distance. She’s come on in the end of her races, and just might like a little more ground to run at, but she won so convincingly, I’m very curious to see how she fares here. The oddsmakers aren’t quite so curious, and have tabbed her at 14/1.

Lucky post seven is occupied by Pivotinthesaddle (ENG) , owned by the Alpine Turf Club stable sassafras, a division of okdavid’s Red Dirt Runners. This good looking son of Pivotal(GB) has improved steadily, and has hit the board in both of his stakes attempts to date. This will actually be the shortest trip of his career, and it looks to be a smart move on the part of his trainer, with plenty of speed in his pedigree and his dam being a stakes winning sprinter. He’s going off at 7/1 and his jockey is Robinson.

I don’t even have to look up the owner to know this is a Nextbonus horse, and it’s not just because her handsome trainer is standing next to her. Orientate is a dead giveaway. And you can see why he’s so fond of that sire … today’s favourite, Vixen Valley, is five for six and ranked 14 in the female turf sprint division. Under the banner of focusforce from Nextbonus Racing’s Queensland operation, her only blemish is an also ran in the SWC. That was the only race where she did not get the lead right out of the gate, which could be her Achilles’ heel. She won’t get an easy lead here, even with perennial champion jockey Z. Kentucky up. She goes off at 7/2.

Clear out in post nine is Ireland’s pride and joy Paul’s Boutique (AUS) , owned by crawf68 of Crawford Incorporated. She is the first stakes winner for sire Kempinsky, and she took care of that milestone in her debut. She has never been in anything other than black type, and while her off the board finishes have all been at the highest level, she does have a placing in Group 2 competition, along with three listed wins. With the improvement she continues to show, it seems as if a Group win is sure to still be within her reach. A. Reed is in a battle with Kentucky each year for the top jockey award, so she will get the best ride possible. Her odds are 6/1.

Next to last, in relation to post position at least, we have the lovely Enchantress (KY) , owned by shamran2 of the EAAA. Can you believe that name wasn’t already taken? It certainly fits this beguiling War Chant daughter quite nicely. She won in her second start, and subsequently finished second in a stakes in her next outing. Encouraged by that finish, she ran in a pair of group 1 races, but failed to improve. Last time out, however, she went to an allowance, and although she didn’t win, she ran a very nice 88 and restored her connections’ faith in her ability. The odds makers found her likeable enough, sending her out at 7/1. Ireland resident R. Morrighan, who is off to a fabulous start for the year, takes the reins.

Rounding out our field is the lovely colt A.P. Sunshine (SAF) , owned by ballymum of the Stablemate Stables located in Ireland. I just have to say, I love, Love, LOVE this guy’s pedigree. I have had success myself matching King Of Kings to A.P. Indy. So far so good for this colt, as he has never been defeated. I would surmise he will want more ground in the future, but with his win coming at today’s distance, another try at 6.5 seems to be a wise choice, rather than changing class and distance all at once. Fontain is off to a rather bad start, but he’s been a steady jockey here so I wouldn’t worry too much on that. Despite his lack of experience, Sunny also goes off at 7/1.

Well, that is our field. Odds wise, it seems to be a pretty evenly matched group for the most part. There’s a good bit of talent here, which bodes well for these residencies’ hopes for the future. This is shaping up to be a great day of racing, and hopefully, this will only be the first of many Inter-Residency Challenges between these fine establishments. Good luck to all, and while there can only be one winner, sometimes it is not the horse who finishes first who gains the most.