Small field of 6 in the marathon The CRYPTODOOR Challenge Stakes

The CRYPTODOOR Challenge Stakes

Two miles

Firm Turf

$80,000

All horses, 4 years old and up

A field of 6 horses take on the marathon challenge of two miles firm turf here in New South Wales this week. A mixture up experienced marathon runners and a few suck-it-and-see types should prove to be an interesting combination in a numeriacally challenged field. The runners are:   

Antichamber(IRE)

Trainer: yunkai

(Theatrical(IRE) x Sadler’s Wells x Roberto)

Odds: 3/1                    Earnings: 183,880                  Runs/Wins: 28/8

A scratch bred 5yo horse from Given Stables: Fire and Blood.  He still looks to be improving and has proven in the past that he has the stamina for this distance, though he would probably prefer slightly less as his front-running style does seem a little vulnerable in the straight.  He’s still not managed a stakes win and would do well to set that straight here.

Mandurama

Trainer: sedation

(Fantastic Light x The Minstrel x Ribot)

Odds: 7/2                    Earnings: 294,926                  Runs/Wins: 44/5

A scratch bred 5yo horse from New Slew Lodge bred by flippymom.  A very busy horse with 44 runs already under his belt he was as expected claimed as a 3yo in his first claiming start for $13,500.   He’s looked ok i the past over 12 to 14 furlongs and struggled over the full 2 miles, albeit in a G1 race.  He’s probably beginning to fade a little after so much racing and is not one to put too much faith in.

Raging River Cat

Trainer: siriusflit

(Storm Cat x Silver Ghost x Riverman)

Odds: 2/1                    Earnings: 212,230                  Runs/Wins: 23/8

A 5yo mare from Nextbonus Racing based on a D class horse.   An experienced mare who won a restricted stakes over this distance a couple of races back in fine style.  Not afraid to take on the boys and win she usually runs a handy race and makes her move only when the finishing post is in sight.  Was 2nd in The G3-The Ascot Ladies Marathon Stakes last time over 14 furlongs and so is in really good form at the moment.

Refused By Bonnie(IRE)

Trainer: xytrans

(Refuse To Bend (IRE) x Polar Falcon x Sham)

Odds: 6/1                    Earnings: 73,531                    Runs/Wins: 15/3

A 5yo horse from Madhibby Racing bred from a C class mare (Roman Bonnie).  He’s only been lightly raced and this is a big step up in distance for him and I’m not convinced that he will find it to his liking too much.  His last race was his first run for almost exactly a year and that win will have given his trainer a huge amount of pleasure, so it will be interesting to see if he has anything else up his sleeve.

Aarseth(IRE)

Trainer: bezza1975

(Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) x Diesis(GB) x Sadler’s Wells)

Odds: 3/1                    Earnings: 358,476                  Runs/Wins: 31/8

A 5yo horse from Bullish Luck Lodge from a G class mare and half brother to an interesting 3yo filly, Best There Is(IRE). He won a couple of stakes races over this distance last year but his big G1 chance ended in tears.  Only tried over 13 furlongs so far this year so he may well be in good order to challenge the favourite over the last couple of furlongs.  It should provide an interesting conclusion to the race. 

Daitro(IRE)

Trainer: lgbost9y

(King Of Kings(IRE) x Dynaformer x Nashua)

Odds: 6/1                    Earnings: 48,077                    Runs/Wins: 20/5

A scratchbreed 4yo colt from Lgbost Stables bred by astinator8. After losing his maiden tag as a 2yo he proved disappointing and, after being entered into claimers,  has been through a number of trainers hands.  His furthest race so far has been run when he came 4th in a stakes race.

Summary

A small field with a number of the runners tackling this marathon for the first time.  The favourite Raging River Cat has the experience and proven ability to win this, but Aarseth(IRE) will be challenging for the lead all the way down the final straight.