Field of 7 for the Bird Legs Cup
Welcome to New South Wales for the 9th running of the Bird Legs Cup – Grade II. We have seven fillies and mares in the field today to see who can race the 10 furlongs on the firm turf track the fastest. The record for this race has held for a long time. It was set back in 2001 by Our Dad who ran it in 2:01 3/5. It was her fourth graded win and she went on to win 4 other graded races, retiring with 8 graded victories. We do have a horse in the field that put up the same speed factor last time out, so we could see the record broken today. Let’s take a look at the field:
PP 1 GHOSTHORSE (KY) (NORHT LIGHT (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SADLER’S WELLS) bred and trained by bestobene3 (Zeco Stables, Belgian, 13%) Odds: 5 to 1
Here is what is looking good for Ghosthorse: This 4 year old scratch bred is coming off three consecutive definitive wins (combined total of almost 15 lengths). Her win percentage is 37.5% and she has already brought home almost $400,000 in her 16 career starts. Her jockey L Fontain has won this race 4 times. Here is what is not looking so good: Her last three wins were against allowance company and although she wasn’t really challenged in any of those races, they were not tough fields. She has done well in this class before, her best finish coming at the 2007 Sydney Oaks where she finished second. The last time she tried graded company she finished 13th, 20 lengths behind and almost 15 points lower in terms of her speed factor. She did get a 12 weeks rest after that race and has been looking good since then, so her connections are hoping she can bring home her first graded victory here.
PP 2 KIRBY’S BIMBO (ENG) (MOTIVATOR (GB) x TWO PUNCH x IRISH RIVER (FR)) bred and trained by 4play (Ojai Valley Stables, 16%) Odds: 10 to 1
Kirby’s Bimbo is the first of three 3 year olds in today’s race and she is the highest ranked of the three at number 24. She has only raced 10 furlongs twice in her career, but both times she won, including her first graded win at the G2-Crumble Classic at the end of June. Although her speed factors in the two 10 furlongs wins were her highest at 101, that is the second lowest career high speed in the field. Kirby’s Bimbo is the most successful of game dam Nurse Lauren’s progeny and the only graded winner, but I don’t think she is going to get her second graded win here. I have heard that the members of Comedy Central have been worried that Kirby is missing in action. Let me reassure everyone, he is fine. He is just spending time with Kirby’s Bimbo.
PP 3 STORM CANDLES (VINDICATION x AWESOME AGAIN x STORM CAT) bred and trained by exploit99 (Gatetowire Stables, 16%) Odds: 3 to 1
Storm Candles is a 5 year mare out of Storm Cradle who is making her second attempt in this class. She tried graded stake in the middle of her three year old campaign where she finished second to last. She hasn’t finished worse than 2nd since early in January of this year and in her last three races has put up 107’s and a 106. Yet, there are two big questions for Storm Candles in this race. Can she handle the distance? The longest she has gone is 9 furlongs and that was late last year. And can she handle the jump in class? I think that may be asking too much from her.
PP 4 ARTIFICIOUSUS G (JPN) (AFLEET x FORESTRY x SADLER’S WELLS) bred and trained by zz (Pgpg Stables, 10%) Odds: 15 to 1
Artificiousus G is the second 3 year old in the race and is the first offspring of game dam Hisnamis Mr E G, who was a dirt router. Trainer zz has patiently brought her up through the allowance conditions and she makes her graded debut here today. After winning her NW3L at 10 furlongs she tried stakes for the first time, but I don’t she found the off track to her liking. She looks to be back in form, winning her NW4L last time out as the favorite. She only posted a 91 in that race, but she wasn’t challenged. If she can put up a similar number to her career high of 100 and handle the jump in class she could be in the mix here. At 15 to 1 it might be worth taking a second look at her.
PP 5 NORSE PRINCESS (SADLER’S WELLS x MISWAKI x NIJINSKY II) bred and trained by ninerdust (Lsumark Stables, 14%) Odds: 2 to 1
Out of post position 5 we find the favorite, Norse Princess. And to be completely truthful, I spent some time drooling over the pedigree and career stats on this 6 year old beauty. She has 16 careers wins, has brought home over $2 million for Lsumark Stables and has an impressive 83% itm. Although she hasn’t won since last year after three G1 victories in a row, she looks to be getting back into form, finishing second in two G2s in her last two races. She has been racing in graded company for well over a year, so class isn’t an issue for her like many others in the race. And her late running style might help in this field with a lot of horses who like to stalk or take the early lead.
PP 6 HAMSTER (JPN) (ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS x KINGMAMBO) bred and trained by lilbitfarm (Lilbitfarm Stables, 15%) Odds: 5 to 1
Hamster is the third of the three year olds in the race and other horse that I had to stop and admire for a while. This scratch bred is the fourth highest offspring for Rock of Gibraltar for 2007 and after this race she could easily be in the number 2 spot or possible even number 1. She also has an impressive 7 wins in her 10 career starts and has never finished out of the money. Very impressive! Her last time out was the first time she tried 10 furlongs and she put up a smoking hot 112 in her win. She likes to take the lead early and against this field I could easily see her winning wire to wire. She will have have New South Wales’ top jockey, P Bangs. This is her graded debut, but looking at her breeding I don’t think she will have any trouble in this class. I was able to treat Rich of lilbitfarms to breakfast to return the favor for his Equinics Breakfast a few weeks ago and he said this of Hamster, “I am very excited about her chances this week. The longer she goes the faster she seems to get (very Rocky like).”
PP 7 BUFFY THE CHOSEN (AWESOME AGAIN x GLITTERNAM x DANZIG) bred and trained by waremblem4 (Winterfell Racing, 15%) Odds: 7 to 2
Last we have Buffy the Chosen, a 5 year old mare out of Ms Lady. Buffy the Chosen has been very successful at turf routes, winning 10 times and finishing itm 70% of the time and she has brought home almost three quarters of a million dollars for Winterfell Racing. Her last two wins were in allowance races, but her last stakes win was at this distance. She has tried graded stakes three times before, her first time at the prestigious Adelaide Oaks where she finished 8th and her best finish, a fourth at the G1-Yolkshire Oaks. She hasn’t tried graded in well over a year and has been successful in overnight and listed stakes. If she is able to handle the jump in glass her recent speed figures indicate that she could be in the mix here.
Each and every one of these horses has reasons why they could be the one in the winner’s circle at the end of the day. There are proven veterans with records to show they could take the win here and some exciting 3 year olds that could easily make the jump in class. The morning line says Norse Princess, Storm Candles and Buffy the Chosen. I am going with Hamster for the win with Ghosthorse and Artificiosus G for place and show. Good luck to all and happy racing. J