G1, New Market Handicap
| Victoria-AUS (VIC) Saturday, March 4, 2023 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3012863 | |
| New Market Handicap | |
| Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $750,000 | |
| Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older | |
| 6 Furlongs | ~1200 Meters | Three Quarters of a Mile | Firm Turf |
This week we are headed to Victoria, Australia where we have as a headlining race on the card this Saturday, the G1, New Market Handicap. For Saturday’s race we have a full field of fourteen horses that have entered this 6 furlong sprint that is restricted to 4 year old and older horses which will take place across the firm turf track. The morning line odds have been released and the post positions have been drawn. Let us now take a preview of the fourteen horses entered in the G1, New Market Handicap.
| 1 | REFRESH THE MIND | AUS | 5M | coagulate8 | GD Mate | 20 | 5 | 50% | $725,045 | 37.00 | 7/1 |
Coming out of the first gate will be this 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Snitzel (SNITZEL x FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x KITTEN’S JOY). Three starts he got up for the win in the G2, The Ribot. He then turned his sights on the G1, King Kong Mile where he would fold down the stretch losing a lot of ground. In his most recent start, he came out in New Zealand on 01/21/2023 going 8 furlongs in the G2, Gas Station Mile. In his stretch run he again losses a lot of ground going from fourth and falls back to cross the wire in eleventh with a 109 speed rating. The owner drops his horse down in distance this time out for this six furlong trip. He gets a familiar jockey in the saddle and is in hope to see a much improved effort when they make their way over to their post draw representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 2 | CRAZY BONEYAC | GB | 4G | ksparrow8 | J Sands | 15 | 5 | 53% | $311,125 | 70.00 | 39/1 |
Next, we will see this 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Best Solution (BEST SOLUTION (IRE) x DECLARATION OF WAR x FORTY NINER). Three starts back he would snag a big win in the G2, The Ascot Vail. His next start in the G1, Mike Beal Memorial he was in third at the third call and fell way back to eleventh when he crossed the wire on this wet track. Last time out we saw him in Queensland going 6 furlongs on 01/28/2023 in the G2, The Cool Lightning Stakes. Once again down the stretch he faded back to cross the wire in thirteenth with a 97 speed rating. The owner has seen much better out of his horse and hopes that spark will return this weekend when he is sent out in the post parade representing the Down Under Racing residency.
| 3 | DANLION | ENG | 5G | gwsgiants8 | M Valley | 26 | 7 | 65% | $170,604 | 1.00 | 16/1 |
Here we have a 5 year old Roan Gelding who is a scratch bred (ROARING LION x NUREYEV x DANEHILL DANCER). This horse had been running in claiming races and it appears may have been sold at auction and picked up by the current owner who has been working with this horse attempting to move him up in class. Last time out we saw this horse in Indiana on 02/12/2023 going 6 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Seeking The Point Turf Sprint. He would never be a factor in this race as he came under the wire in eighth with a 98 speed rating. This horse has been out on the track quite a bit for this owner and is making his third start on the season. This horse needs to show up much improved this time out when he makes his way out of the paddock representing the Midas residency.
| 4 | WASH RINSE REPEAT | IRE | 5G | appalachia | R Cerda | 16 | 10 | 69% | $2,933,880 | 704.00 | 4/1 |
Next, we have this 5 year old Bay Gelding who is a scratch bred (SEA THE STARS x DANEHILL x KRIS S.). The horse has been running well and has three wins in his three most recent starts, all of which have been G1 races. He got the win in the Breeders’ Bowl Turf Sprint and then came back out next to grab the win in the G1, King Kong Sprint. His most recent start would then come on 01/14/2023 in New Zealand where he would go 6 furlongs in the G1, Pekays Remembrance Stakes of which he would nail down his third win in a row with a 114 speed rating. This EOY award winner has a nice streak of wins coming into this race and the owner is in hope that his horse can make it four in a row when they make their way out to the turf representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 5 | HIGHCLERE CASTLE | JPN | 5M | mav1763 | P Bangs | 24 | 4 | 58% | $707,678 | 164.00 | 10/1 |
Here we have a 5 year old Brown Horse that was sired by Just A Way (JUST A WAY x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SADLER’S WELLS) and that is our of HOF mare, Esterhazy Castle. This horse has found his way to a graded place badge in a several graded races but has yet to pick up a graded win. Last time out we saw him on the track in New Zealand on 01/14/2023 when he would go 6 furlongs in the G1, Pekays Remembrance Stakes. He would not show up with his best of efforts in this race and was never a factor when he finished in tenth with a 103 speed rating. He gets a familiar jockey back in the saddle for the start here in Victoria and needs to show up with a good effort this time out when he heads out in the post parade representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 6 | DETROIT MUSIC | KY | 5M | xfactor5 | R Bbudgies | 24 | 5 | 46% | $109,257 | 1.00 | 32/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Mo Town (MO TOWN x VINDICATION x MR. PROSPECTOR). This horse has seen his share of owners and has been claimed several times. The new owner has been working with him but has yet to get a win in his two starts. Last time out under the new owner sent this horse out on 01/30/2023 in California to go 6.5 furlongs in a $50700 NW3x Allowance. He would find spot in fifth the entire race and that is how he would cross under the wire with a 97 speed rating. This horse is going off at longer odds in the morning line and will need to show up much improved for Saturdays race when he makes his way out of the paddock to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 7 | DISCUSS IT LATER | IRE | 5M | mehmas | G Owans | 19 | 10 | 84% | $694,628 | 148.00 | 6/1 |
Here we have a 5 year old Brown Horse that was sired by National Defense (NATIONAL DEFENSE x A.P. INDY x MACHIAVELLIAN). The owner had a good eye when he claimed this horse back in January of 2022. Under new ownership this horse was moved up in class quickly. Since being claimed, he has never missed hitting the boards in his five starts for this owner and two starts back he picked up the win in the G2, Because I Said So Stakes here in Victoria. Last time out he was moved up in class again when he came out in New Zealand on 01/14/2023 going 6 furlongs in the G1, Pekays Remembrance Stakes. He put up a very nice effort in his first G1 attempt when he crossed under the wire in third just a half off the lead with a 113 speed rating. The owner feels his horse is ready for this race and that he can show up well at the conclusion when he breaks from his gate representing The Mecca residency.
| 8 | ACTING FOOLISH | AUS | 4G | redhill | D Ledwith | 13 | 7 | 77% | $336,990 | 83.00 | 13/1 |
This is a 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by No Nay Never (NO NAY NEVER x SHAMARDAL x FRANKEL (GB)). Back in April of 2022 this horse came in second in the G1, Strike Twice to pick up his graded place badge. Since this time, he has made several starts at various class levels. Last time out we saw this horse make his first start of the season on 01/01/2023 in New York where he would go 8 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Charisma Dancer Turf Mile. By the time of the third call, he had found the lead, but down the stretch he would give up this spot to cross the wire in third with a 116 speed rating. The owner feels he did well enough in this race to bring him to Victoria this weekend and hopes to see more speeds like that 116 he ran in his most recent start. However, he is dropping back down to a one turn race, and this is the only concern I have for him when he breaks from his gate representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 9 | POPPING CHAMPAGNE | AUS | 5M | mtkgrs3 | M Kelly | 15 | 6 | 60% | $206,510 | 22.00 | 10/1 |
Next, we will see this 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Written Tycoon (WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) x DANSILI (GB) x GALILEO (IRE)). He is a prior listed stakes winner and has been running in various classes of races. His two most recent starts have both been at the allowance level. Last time out we saw this horse on the track in South Korea on 01/29/2023 going 6.5 furlongs in a $25300 NW2y Allowance. He moved up to second by the third call of the race and went on to get the win by three quarters at the wire with a 113 speed rating. This horse needs to show that he can take this big jump in class successfully this weekend and needs to show up with his best effort when he come out of the paddock representing the GR Simster residency.
| 10 | EAT TILL YOU DIE | JPN | 5G | suedois | T Loesch | 18 | 5 | 72% | $251,261 | 39.00 | 12/1 |
This is a 5 year old Chestnut Gelding that was sired by Eishin Apollon (EISHIN APOLLON (JPN) x JOHANNESBURG x LIL E. TEE). It appears this horse was claimed back in June of 2022. He has found a new home with the current owner who has been working with this horse nicely as he moves him up in class to run in bigger races. This horse found a third place finish in the G3, Hundred Tower Stakes. Three starts back he found a second place finish in the G3, Japan Sprint. Last time out we saw this horse on 02/05/2023 in Thailand going 6 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Royal Jack Turf Dash. He stayed close to the front throughout this race but could never find the lead as he crossed the wire in second with a 106 speed rating. Although much improved, he needs to dig deep and find a lot of firepower in those legs when he heads out in Victoria. The owner remains confident in his horse as he makes this move into a G1 start. The owner will have his horse saddled up in the paddock and ready to come out and represent the East-West Connection residency.
| 11 | HOOSIER’S SPIRIT | AUS | 6G | hoosier10 | R Harzheim | 26 | 7 | 62% | $336,089 | 32.00 | 8/1 |
Next, we will see this 6 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Your Song (YOUR SONG (AUS) x CHARM SPIRIT x EXCELLENT ART). This horse has been running fairly well for the owner at the allowance and listed stakes levels. Two starts back he was second in a Listed Stakes, Barbs Betty Anne Turf Sprint. His most recent start came in South Korea where he would go 6.5 furlongs on 01/08/2023. Running close just off the lead he would grab the lead by the third call and go on to pick up the win with a 111 speed rating. This horse will be making a big jump in class this time out in Victoria for his first graded start. He needs to show up with a huge effort against this tough field if he is to get on the boards when he come out at post time representing the Only Stayers residency.
| 12 | AWESOMIZER | KY | 6M | parramatta | R Kowalkowski | 25 | 8 | 68% | $534,890 | 28.00 | 19/1 |
This is a 6 year old Chestnut Horse that was sired by Optimizer (OPTIMIZER x AWESOME AGAIN x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY). He has had some nice races for the owner at the listed stakes level but failed to pick up a win in his 2022 campaign. Last time out we saw this horse on 01/21/2023 in Hong Kong when he would go 5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Barbs Ice Cream Turf Spint. He ran well in this race but failed in a photo at the wire to come in second by a nose with a 100 speed rating. He needs to show some improved effort this time out in Victoria as he takes this big jump in class. He needs to prove he can hang with this field going off as one of the longer choices in the morning line as he comes out in the post parade representing the Down Under Racing residency.
| 13 | BEACH GLASS | JPN | 4M | kobras5 | F Gossett | 13 | 7 | 77% | $993,740 | 308.00 | 8/1 |
Here we have a 4 year old Brown Colt that was sired by Bricks And Mortar (BRICKS AND MORTAR x THEATRICAL x MR. PROSPECTOR) and that is out of HOF mare, Leader Of The Pack. This horse did very well in his 2022 season. He had very few misses on the boards during 2022 and he got two big, graded wins. He was first in the G2, The Near Tic and then finished up the season with a win in the G1, Mike Beal Memorial. Now comes his first start of the 2023 season when we last saw him on the track on 01/14/2023 going 6 furlongs in New Zealand in the G1, Pekays Remembrance Stakes. This late closer put up a good fight down the stretch in this race but would cross the wire in second with a 114 speed rating. The owner is bringing his horse back out this weekend in Victoria and looks for another nice performance when they head over to the turf representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 14 | BON BON BUM | ENG | 5M | haack08 | O A Haack | 15 | 6 | 87% | $529,595 | 100.00 | 9/1 |
Coming out of the outside gate will be this 5 year old Bay Horse that was sired by Frankel (FRANKEL (GB) x CURLIN x A.P. INDY). This horse has been performing well for the owner in his three most recent starts. Three starts back he came up with the win in the G2, The Drummer Boy. He followed that up with a win in the G3, Zeppelin Cap. His most recent start came on 01/12/2022 in Berkshire going 6 furlongs in a Local Championship Stakes. He made another nice closing effort in this race but fell short to place second with a 112 speed rating. The owner is in hope to see another big effort out of his horse this Saturday in Victoria. Look for him to be closing down the stretch when he comes out to represent the Latinos Del Mundo residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
4-Wash Rinse Repeat: With three G1 wins in a row he is looking for number four. Does he get it?
7-Dicuss It Later: He has not been off the boards under new ownership. Does that trend continue?
13-Beach Glass: Lost by a neck last time out. He faces his foe again. Does he get catch him this time?
Tarton’s Long Shot
8-Acting Foolish: This graded place badge earner has been improving in recent starts. Last time out he had a nice 116 speed rating in a Listed Stakes, but at 8 furlongs. He is going off at 13/1 in the morning line for the race here in Victoria and if he can continue on his course of improvement and bring that speed rating with him as he moves up in class, he could prove to be a contender if he can handle the drop in distance. I feel he is worth a look in this race and should be on some of your exotic tickets when you head to the betting windows.