Are you ready to be dazzled by the Fernazzle?
The Fernazzle Cup is a spectacle of a race. Only nine entrants, but the G3 has still draw some might fine 10f horses all the way to New South Wales for a party on the lawn. All entrants are 3 year olds, and all but one are at single digit odds. Not a great betting race, but one racefans will sureenjoy watching. The $150k purse is nothing to sneer at either.
Post one features 2aussie’s Razonable. The Aragorn colt goes off at 5-1, quite reasonable considering he has yet to win a stake. Raz has been close, however. Last out he was a nice second in a 9.5f stake after closing from last place, and looks every bit a horse that will eat up 10f, and maybe even want 12. Have to like his improving speed figures as he gets to stretch out his legs over some distance. Raz appears to have some good races ahead.
Coolk enters the 7-1 Metis. The Redoute’s Choice colt won an 11f stake by over 3 lengths two back, leaving zero doubt he can handle this distance and more. The third in the Adelaide Derby last out sure doesn’t hurt his attractiveness to the betting public either. Actually, this colt’s odds appear to be a gift from the betting gods. Where else will you get a superbly bred colt at longish odds that is perfectly suited for the class and distance of the race? Will be trying 10f for the first time, but hey, if he can win at 9.5 and 11, 10 is no problem at all. Is capable of wiring the field or stalking the pace.
The 6-1 Apples and Aces is riding a lovely six-race win streak, but can Bobcat’s entry make it lucky sevens? But for a decent third in his lone sprint start, A and A would have the rare distinction of never losing. What is impressive about A and A (besides the many wins) is his ability to win by healthy margins each time. Only twice has he run under the wire less than a length ahead. he’s moving up to 10f for the first time, but hey, a four+ length win at 9.5 tells me he ought to handle the extra sixteenth easily. 6-1 odds.
The field longshot at 12-1 is Three Votes, a son of Montjeu. He too is on a win streak, though a mere for races, and all allowance-class. What sets Topclass’ colt apart is that he has won twice at 10 panels, and earned his best speed figure (a 95) at that distance. Prefers to stay mostly forward, but is perfectly content to drop by six or so lengths down the backstretch. I like this colt, and like seeing him step up. This is a good spot to test his stakes wings.
The 8-1 Meteorite has been on the main track the last several months trying to keep up with the big classic boys and not quite managing it. Trainer Given3 is bringing the Galileo colt back to the turf in a long-awaited move. After all, the colt won a mile maiden impressively in July, then notched a solid third a few months later before giving the main track a go. Meteorite is bred to absolutely love the distance of this race, and with more maturity under him should improve those turf speeds quite a bit. Still very much an unknown at the graded level, however, as his only graded attempt was in a Derby lock prep in the mud.
Another Dud, off at 5-1, is a G2 winner, giving him a bit of an advantage over this crowd. Has yet to win at 10f, but then again, he has yet to run there. Has won at 9 and 11, however, and has two 100+ speed figures on his record. The Dud is brilliant when on his game, but also maddeningly inconsistent. Jkj4’s Shirocco colt is actually a good one despite his recent form downturn. Five wins from 12 starts is something any trainer would be pleased with.
Gipper7 runs Deeeetroit Tiger, a pretty good son of War Chant. He’s a stakes winner at 9f, and was just two lengths out of a G1 win at 9f two back. Looks like he’ll love getting some extra ground. The Tiger can close from way way back or he can come from midpack, making him versatile enough, and dangerous enough, to merit his status as the 5-2 favorite. Should be getting his first graded win very soon.
And we have another streaky horse in the 5-1 Movie House. He’s a speedy son of Theatrical trained by Marsattack. House loves to be out front all by his lonesome, but is also quite willing to get some grass kicked in his face if he must stalk instead. Only loss ever was a second at a mile, since then he’s been very careful to win by daylight. Love his increasing speed figures, and he’s a past winner at 10. Beat Razonable last out. A very good horse.
Our final entrant is the 6-1 Berzerko. Trained by Lopickles, the Mr. Greeley colt is twice a stakes winner turf routing (at8.5f and 9.5f) but his lone long-distance run was far from great. Blame it on the distance as well as the class. In two graded efforts (at a mile and 11f), Berzerko has lost by an average of 11 lengths. He should appreciate the distance, but this just might be a colt that needs to stay at the listed level.
It’s a closely-matched field, with something to recommend every entrant. My dartboard, whose predictions were confirmed by my Magic 8-ball, says that the trifecta will contain Movie House, Three Votes, and Deeeetroit Tiger.