7 strong field in The SHY PROJECT Challenge Stakes

The SHY PROJECT Challenge Stakes
A mile and one sixteenth
Firm Turf
$60,000
All horses, 3 years old

A mixture of experienced and inexperienced colts contest this 8.5 furlongs on the firm turf here in Longchamp this week.  Seven runners have made an appearance and, like most early season 3yo races, there is a fascinating race in prospect.  The runners are:

EL ASTRO ZULIANO(IRE)

Trainer: castillo

(High Chaparral (IRE) x Touch Gold x Mr. Prospector)

Odds: 10/1                  Earnings: 69,405                    Runs/Wins: 5/4

A 3yo colt from Otto Haack (Venezuela) based on an E class horse.  Won his first 4 races straight off, including a restricted stakes race, but had to settle for second place in his only race of the year so far.  He likes to take the lead and wear the opposition down but this is a far better (and bigger) field than he has faced before.

WINDY PASSAGE(GER)

Trainer: icbomber8

(Monsun(GER) x Seeking The Gold x Storm Bird)

Odds: 3/1                    Earnings: 40,380                    Runs/Wins: 3/3

A 3yo colt from The Danby Road Connection bred from a G class mare.  With three wins from three runs this colt could be very much one to watch in the future.  Another fast starter he could shatter this field very early on and the only worry is this is his first time away from Italy where all his wins have come from.

EQUIANO(ENG)

Trainer: zalamy

(Rainbow Quest x Fusaichi Pegasus x Caerleon)

Odds: 7/1                    Earnings: 35,340                    Runs/Wins: 4/3

A 3yo colt from Rafa Stables bred from a G class mare.  Just one blimp in his record so far from his first race of the year. He seems to have put that behind him but I’m not sure he has enough speed just yet to take this one.

ALCOPOPS(JPN)

Trainer: kev

(Alkaased x Strawberry Road(AUS) x Troy(GB))

Odds: 3/1                    Earnings: 131,470                  Runs/Wins: 6/4

A scratch bred 3yo colt from Coolk Stables.  Won his first four races, including the G3-Panhandle Park Derby, but has found himself in tough company in his last two runs.  Definitely a contender here on past form and one to watch out for in the latter stages of the race.

FLYIN’ NOVERRE(IRE)

Trainer: pogdig1

(Noverre (IRE) x Flying Spur(AUS) x Giant’s Causeway (IRE))

Odds: 8/1                    Earnings: 55,335                    Runs/Wins: 11/2

A 3yo colt from Bmr005 Stables bred from a G class mare.  Far more exposed than others in this race he looks an able performer but probably is slightly overreaching in this race.

VIVA LA VOCE(KY)

Trainer: sgtbones

(Forest Wildcat x Kingmambo x Seattle Slew)

Odds: 9/2                    Earnings: 247,238                  Runs/Wins: 14/6

A 3yo colt from Flying W Ranch bred from a C class mare (Sotto Voce).  Another exposed runner who has already notched up 4 stakes wins in his career.  Capable of good runs when it suits him but this will be tough.

VERTBAUDE(IRE)

Trainer: dixiefly

(Montjeu (IRE) x Aptitude x Seattle Slew)

Odds: 5/2                    Earnings: 95,775                    Runs/Wins: 7/5

A 3yo colt from Brundlefly Stables based on an E class horse.  The favourite has now notched up 5 wins in a row and promises much for later in the year.  It will be interesting to see if he has been easing off in some of those wins as they haven’t really seemed to test him, but with so many fast starters in this race he could find taking the lead and stamping his authority a lot harder than previously.

Summary

The favourite Vertbaude(IRE) is on a real winning streak but if  Windy Passage(GER) can transfer his Italian form here to Longchamp I think that streak could come to an end.