The BIG MATT(IRE) Stakes
Week 3658 marks the fourth annual BIG MATT(IRE) Stakes on the grass oval at
Four three-year-old colts will try to tackle this turf mile, run on firm ground with clear skies and $55,000 in purse money waiting to be won. Let’s take a closer look at the runners in question.
PP1 Silver Baron(JPN) tomrolfe B
Silver Charm-Picture of Prado(IRE), by El Prado(IRE)
This light grey colt runs out of the CVBear Racing Empire and has put together 10 career races, finishing nicely with six finishes ITM and breaking its maiden back in April. Silver Baron is the least experienced of the runners, but is coming off the best speed of his career in the THIS KID CAN PLAY Challenge Stakes five weeks ago. He moved steadily up through the field to finish sixth in the 9.5 furlong race. With a strong jockey on board, I look for Silver Baron to settle at a nice pace before making a move to close. The question may be whether 8 furlongs will be enough track for this horse to fulfill its potential. This should be a nice test for a horse that may just be starting to come into its own.
PP2 Ajra Garbage(ENG) madcappelln C Guyton 3/1
Kayf Tara (GB)-Ajra Naskra, by Ajraas
This English-bred chestnut colt enters the race with 19 races under its belt and an impressive seven wins. Running nearly equally on both the dirt and grass, Ajra Garbage comes in to the race having run on the turf his last two times out — both stakes races. The horse finished 7 ¼ lengths back in fourth just three weeks ago in the mile-long DIAMOND MUSIC Stakes, where he set the pace for the first half of the race before fading. I look for Ajra Garbage to get a good break out of the gate and set the pace. However, in a race full of closers, he may be hard-pressed to hold off on-comers down the stretch. If he can set a comfortable pace he may be able to stay in front and win wire-to-wire.
PP3 Astrono Gold(KY) perks 2 T Roberts Even
Seeking the Gold-Astronomist, by Nureyev
The Conglomerate sends this chestnut colt to battle this week looking to pick up a second straight win and sixth overall in 15 races. Running on both dirt and turf, Astrono Gold has found the most success on the grass. He is coming off the best speed of his career — a 103 in a NW4x allowance a month ago. Prior to that he ran in three straight stakes, finishing in the money once and running a top speed of 100, though none of the races were run at a mile. I look for Astrono Gold to run just off the pace before closing. If he loses much ground on the leader he may struggle to seal the deal, but he certainly has the ability to get the job done here.
PP4 Coastal Fury(KY) saver B Coates 7/5
Gone West-God’s Fury, by Sadler’s Wells
This chestnut colt takes to the track for Dixiedotco Racing and looks to extend a very nice streak of runs. Coastal Fury has finished in the money in 10 consecutive races and has five stakes races to its name. Last time out the horse ran a 102 for second place in the NIGHTLY SAY Stakes three weeks ago. It was his second straight race at that speed. Coastal Fury hasn’t run at 8 furlongs since breaking his maiden, but has settled in nicely at 8.5 and 9, preferring to close towards the end. He will be running at a slightly shorter distance this time and will have less time to turn it on, but this is an experienced stakes horse with the class to contend here. Having top jockey Coates along for the ride will only help.
So what can you make of this race? It is a small field, but all four horses are viable contenders and I do not think anyone is out of his element here. It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these horses win. However, I’m going to put my money on Coastal Fury to be the class of the field and grab the win. I think the favorite, Astrono Gold, will be the runner-up with Ajra Garbage setting the pace before being overtaken to finish in third. Silver Baron will prove game, but will bring up the tail end of the field, though not far behind.