Sake Victorious as Favourites Fill Placings in Bonanza

Well supported second favourite Sake raced to a most impressive victory in this week’s New South Wales feature, the G3-Filly Turf Bonanza. Although not at the top of the betting charts, she was very well supported in the ring, and punters in general had a pleasing result, with the first three in the market filling the final placings. Top pick Sweet Sacrifice set a scorching pace in an attempt to race the opposition off their feet, while Financial Impact, eventual runner up, ran a very strong and even race

Sweet Sacrifice won the jump so clearly it appeared as if her gate had opened early. She created an immediate gap, crossing to the fence with ease. Financial Impact settled on the rail behind her and Sake, after jumping alongside Financial Impact, soon dropped back to make an Indian file of the first three, while Look at the Stars and Sky’s Gray perched outside Sake. Yes Another Bonnie and Lay Gloom made up the fourth tier, Tiger and Dell dropped back, ahead of Bodgit Bandit and Deep Quest, who’d both given the leader over a dozen lengths within the first couple of furlongs

Jockey K. Williams made his intentions very clear from the outset. He set about widening the margin with Sweet Sacrifice, and planned on opening up an unassailable lead. And as they approached the half way mark it looked like it may have been a winning move. The margin extended out to seven lengths before the jockey gave the speedy filly a breather. More than half the field had been demoralized. The whips started cracking but, of the backmarkers, only Lay Gloom was making inroads. Financial Impact and Sake had raced second and third, and they were making a little ground, but Sweet Sacrifice still looked sweet.

It was at the top of the final turn that the leader started to show signs of distress. Financial Impact and Sake were closing the gap, with Sake looking the stronger. At the top of the straight the two challengers let loose. Financial Impact had had the job of carrying the field up to the tearaway leader, but only Sake had been capable of going with her, and she kept her run going when the effort finally told on Financial Impact.

Down to the line and it was Sake by a most emphatic margin just short of four lengths. Financial Impact was gallant in defeat, while Sweet Sacrifice had enough heart to hold onto third, beaten six and a half lengths

Lay Gloom was still working home at the end, another length or so back in fourth.

In almost another race, Bodgit Bandit outstayed some tired animals to take home the final cheque.

Yes another Bonnie and Sky’s Gray held nice positions early before weakening

Deep Quest and Tiger and Dell never got into the event.

Look at the Stars folded badly and was being inspected by the course vet as this item was going to print.

Sake is a three year old scratchbred daughter of Dynaformer / Danzig / Alydar. This was her fifth win from twelve starts and lifts her earnings above $230,000. She ran the eleven furlongs in 2.15.4, shaving a full second off the previous record for this event, while returning a speed rating of 108. Previous rated # 177 in her division, this initial Graded win elevates her to # 21.

2tohlod is a member of the 42 barn “More Evil Than the Evil Empire”, aka Super, all stables being active supporters of DelPenn National. Sake is the one of four six figure earners in the yard, with Banner, Super Alliance and Angels of Darkness also holders of the milestone.

At the Window: We managed to find the winner with our first tip and received a handy dividend of $9.20. Our attempts to add a bit of value to the exotics failed however, with our exacta and trifecta selections finishing down the track.