Pop Rock(ENG) to turn the tables on Heat More(IRE)
With the weather again blessing us with ideal conditions we have the makings of a very hot Stakes race if the betting is anything to go by. Racing on the standard mile turf course this week are 8 nicely bred fillies and mares hoping to use this race as a stepping stone to better things. The whole race however will be overshadowed by the rivalry between Heat More(IRE) and Pop Rock(ENG) and tactics will be crucial. The betting is:
3/1 Heat More(IRE)
4/1 Pop Rock(ENG)
5/1 El French Cutie(IRE)
5/1 Busch League(KY)
5/1 King Kirby’s Luv(KY)
6/1 Gay Dancer(IRE)
6/1 Razzy Bbor
10/1 Slew O’Regals(IRE)
Analysis
3/1 – Heat More(IRE) – #8
Trainer: iant4
(Azamour(IRE) x Rahy x Theatrical(IRE))
A 4yo filly bred by donkey, a member of Iant Stables, from a dam who achieved moderate allowance success. She has won 7 from 13 starts including her last 2 stakes runs, but makes her first appearance here in Longchamp. An excellent performance last tiem out in China saw her gain a well deserved victory over Pop Rock(ENG) and a renewal of that battle is an interesting prospect. She has a tendency to throw out the odd bad run but has never been out of the top 5 in any of her starts so remains a tough one to beat.
4/1 – Pop Rock(ENG) – #1
Trainer: jockeymax4
(Red Ransom x Danzig x Mr. Prospector)
A nicely bred 4yo filly from the Jockeymax stables who has won 50% of her 18 races to date. Her last win was as a 3yo here in Longchamp on this same course when she posted her best ever SP#. Her trainer will be expecting a repeat of that performance today. She looked good in her last race as a 3yo in China but connections were disappointed with her late running 2nd place to Heat More(IRE), who she perhaps underestimated on that occasion. However, I am sure she will have learnt her lesson and will keep closer order to the favourite this time and will be expecting to reverse those placings.
5/1 – El French Cutie(IRE) – #3
Trainer: frenchtart
(El Prado(IRE) x El Gran Senor x Sadler’s Wells)
Trained and bred by the Quirts Bad Boys stable, this 5yo mares early career on dirt included her only stakes win so far. Her successful switch to turf has yet to include a further stakes win despite a number of 2nd places and she would probably be happier over a longer distance nowadays. A nice mare but hard to see her featuring in the top three.
5/1 – Busch League(KY) – #5
Trainer: aframe27
(Touch Gold x Storm Cat x Alydar)
A 4yo filly bred by lopiccolo, a sister stable in The Evil Empire, from an unsuccessful mare. A well bred filly who has won 7 of her 13 starts, including her last three runs so she comes here in fine fettle. She doesn’t seem to had too much to challenge her recently so it is difficult to assess exactly where she stands; easing down in the stretch means that her sp#’s could probably have been bigger with stiffer competition. If the top two in the betting get in too much of a war of attrition with eachother she could easily step in to claim the win.
5/1 – King Kirby’s Luv(KY) – #7
Trainer: kingkirby
(Thunder Gulch x Kingmambo x Mr. Prospector)
A 4yo filly bred by Chance2, a sister stable in Ojai Valley Stables. Despite 6 wins from her 17 starts she has so far failed to achieve a top three finish in any of her stakes races to date. Possibly looks to be wanting a longer distance where her front running style would make up for her lack of sprint finish.
6/1 – Gay Dancer(IRE) – #2
Trainer: thierry
(Galileo(IRE) x Green Dancer x Lyphard)
A 5yo mare bred by Hawk4 and sold/transferred to bbudgies, before finally being bought by her current owner Zeco Stables. Despite 5 wins in 15 starts this 5yo mare is still looking for her first major win in only her second stake run. Even though she posted her best ever sp# in her last race here in Lonchamp, she never really looked in contention and managed to stay on for a well earned 4th place. The winner of that race was subsequently well beaten by runners in this race next time out so the formbook doesn’t look favourable for her.
6/1 – Razzy Bbor – #6
Trainer: wahoo2
(Arazi x Rainbow Quest x Glitterman)
A 5yo mare trained and bred by wahoo2 (Bbor Stables) from an average dam who only ever achieved success on dirt. Had a G1 run as a 3yo but failed to impress, and only tackled her first stakes run after an excellent allowance win two races ago in Sweden. I believe the sp# she achieved that day probably flattered her as the narrowly beaten runner up has failed to achieve anything like that performance since, and I would be surprised if she features in this race.
10/1 – Slew O’Regals(IRE) – #4
Trainer: daisymasha
(Royal Anthem x Kingmambo x Slew O’Gold)
Daisymasha Stables provide the outsider of the group. She has yet to win a stakes race despite having a G2 race entry as a 3yo under her former trainer, itch56. She looks a competent allowance runner and although she seems out of her depth here I am sure this 4yo will play her part in the early part of the race.
Summary
An interesting prospect but I believe that Pop Rock(ENG) will have learnt from her defeat by Heat More(IRE) in their last race and should have enough class, and valuable experience of this course, to turn the tables on her this time. Busch League(KY) is the dark horse in this race who will be on hand to exploit any weaknesses.
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LAST WEEK
Favourite 3yo colt Paltics Colt BG(KY) duly won The AUTOMOBILE JERRY Handicap Stakes by a length with a great last gasp finish in the straight. Trainer honeyj (Bob123g Stables) will be relieved to get his 3yo campaign off to a winning start and will be expecting good things in 2008 from this Forestry x Deposit Ticket x Palace Music colt.
1st PALTICS COLT BG(KY) – honeyj
2nd AESCULAPIUS(KY) – kristof
3rd HOT AND READY(DEN) – bardo