Rich Tree Challenge Stakes at Qld
Welcome once again to the Queensland track. We have a track that is firm and the 3yo+ fillies and mares should enjoy running on the turf today – looks in superb state. The race that is of interest to everyone is the Rich Tree Challenge stakes, #10 on your cards and its over a very decent distance of a mile and three quarters (2800m).
Eight entries in this one and we are very privileged to be able to bring you a short interview with a local Queensland trainer who has one of his mares in this race, none other than Hawkz, owner of Antigua(IRE) from the firstmate stable under the Hawkz Racing Inc. stables group.
Question: You are one of the local trainers here at Qld – tell us how long have you been associated here at the Qld track?
Hawkz: Ive been in Queensland about 3 years as a trainer.
Question: You’ve got Antigua(IRE) in this Stakes race today – looks like a claimer you picked up a while ago – she’s been a good find for you – how do you think she will go today?
Hawkz: Yes she was claimeed for breeding i thought i could improve her with age but she has surpassed my expectations and i think she may get better in future.
Question: Last time out she blitzed the field coming from behind in what was a good strong win for her at Stakes level. This is a bit longer this time, what’s your instructions to the jockey today?
Hawkz: It may be a little far for her but she has raced over ground before as always she will race at back and try to come home strong she is only RTG and thats a worry.
Question: Thanks for your time mate, just before you go why dont you grab yourself something to eat, maybe a quiet drink before she runs and good luck for the race today.
Hawkz: Thanx for you interest and well wishes.
And that folks was none other than a local legend in Hawkz who has had some superb results over his career as owner/trainer/breeder including current outstanding 2yo in Bang Bang(AUS).
Ok lets get onto all the runners here:
1 SIGN OF SIN(FR)
Owner: gctomt
Record: 12-4-2-0
Earnings: $80,267
Jockey: P Guyton
Odds: 25/1
Long shot of the race at 25/1 is out of Sinndar(IRE) x Rahy x Kris S. Has been running well after being picked up in a claiming race back in January by trainer gctomt. Running almost exclusively at Allowance level is making the step up here to todays Stakes race. Will have no problem with the distance as has been running over 11 and 12 furlongs and has 3 good wins since May. Only question mark of course is that this is much much harder and will need to pick up significantly on speed to trouble the favourites here today.
2 REBEL YELL N
Owner: lordpye
Record: 59-19-9-6
Earnings: $1,314,435
Jockey: C Bollinger
Odds: 12/1
Well this one has been around the traps and seen everything in its day. A very good age of 8 years is out of War Chant x Persian Bold(IRE) x Bounding Basque. Nearing the end of her career and possibly into breeding after that you would have to think has a very impressive 19 wins from 59 outings. Earnings over $1 million, is not running anywhere near as good as in her heyday. Still is coming off a win in Allowance company and can still post some decent speeds if she gets a good run. And thats what she will need here to pull this off. Still you cannot discount her experience. Worth considering.
3 ROLL A FAT ONE(IRE)
Owner: curlypuub
Record: 21-4-8-2
Earnings: $196,941
Jockey: S DeBerg
Odds: 3/1
What a name hey! Out of Doyen(IRE) x Mill Reef x Nureyev, not sure where the name comes from but Id be interested to know. Has been running reasonably consistently at Stakes level with a few placings but no wins of late. Running mostly around the 10 furlong range and starting to fade in most races at that distance is really going to struggle here you would think with quite a bit extra on top of that. I might be wrong but I think even with very favoured odds of 3/1 she is going to be pushed to be challenging at the end.
4 KERIS DAGGER BED(KY)
Owner: bedford
Record: 18-6-3-3
Earnings: $202,160
Jockey: C Wyatt
Odds: 5/1
Out of Empire Maker x Sadler’s Wells x Kris S., this one is coming off of some good form. Last time out was a second place finish over 13 furlongs in the Stakes Heart of Marble Memorial but did look like she was fading at the end. Prior to that was a win in the Total Wolf Special stakes over furlongs and she finished strongly there winning by 3 3/4 lengths. Her G1 outing was a failure finishing a disappointing 13th place and was probably a bit hard for her. She should certainly challenge here, likes to lead with the front runners and could go close.
5 ZIPPY DA DO DA
Owner: sloma
Record: 31-5-8-2
Earnings: $204,140
Jockey: B Baker
Odds: 7/1
Fantastically named – is that a word? Who knows but Im using it. Out of city Zip x One For All x Northern Baby is another one in this race who hasn’t really performed at Stakes level but who is winning and placing consistently at Allowance level. Needs to make the step here again today and she gets her chance at this distance and level. Odds probably flatter her a little although she may well surprise. Has run some relatively good speeds – will need to do that again today. Outside chance but only just.
6 ANTIGUA(IRE)
Owner: firstmate
Record: 30-6-4-7
Earnings: $233,282
Jockey: P Kays
Odds: 7/1
Well we have already met her trainer before the race who had a few words to say about this one after picking her up in a claimer she has performed remarkably well. Out of Theatrical(IRE) x Shirley Heights(GB) x Nijinsky II her last outing was a real good step up after taking over the race with a run from behind and winning by over 2 lengths and a very good speed rating of 103. Great odds and based on her last run should really challenge here. It is a step up but the trainer seemed quietly confident. May well be worth backing at least for a place.
7 IRISH INVENTOR(IRE)
Owner: upgrade
Record: 40-6-8-8
Earnings: $138,483
Jockey: M Cameron
Odds: 11/1
5yo out of Desert King(IRE) x Galileo(IRE) x Gulch, this one while she can run the distance looks like this may be a little hard for her. Did run two good runs at Allowance level back in May and June where she placed second in both runs over 12 and 14 furlongs. So the distance is no issue. Since then though did place third in a G2 but was some 21 lengths behind and only the 4 runners in that one. The next race was a second placing by 5 lengths in a Stakes race which was a good run over 14 furlongs. Hasnt really done much since and I think will be pushed here.
8 NIGHT DANCER
Owner: b4rca
Record: 40-7-10-7
Earnings: $296,992
Jockey: C Simien
Odds: 7/5
Loves to dance specially when the sun goes down, the lights come on and everyone is ready to party. From Night Shift x Shirley Heights(GB) x Native Dancer – yes I can see where she gets the name but she really is a party girl from what I hear. And she is also the out and out favourite here on the tote. Last run was a third place finish in the Forest Hannah(GB) Memorial Stakes with a speed of 107. Prior to that was a second place finish and a win both at Stakes level. Recent good form and posting speeds of 107, 104 and 106 in her last 3 outings. Really can’t go past this one on form and recent runs particularly against this field. My favourite too.
Only the 8 entries but should still be a good race. Can anyone in this field beat Night Dancer? Thats probably the main question here amongst the punters. My picks for the race are:
8 NIGHT DANCER
6 ANTIGUA(IRE)
4 KERIS DAGGER BED(KY)
And if you too want to be interviewed and have your name up in next weeks article, particularly if you are a local queensland trainer but also if you are from elsewhere then all you need to do is enter your runner at the Queensland track and contact me. I will be trying to choose at least one each week. Also suggestions are always welcome to make these articles better and more informative for you. Yet to get a suggestion on how to improve these articles but that may well change – maybe I should throw some breeding credits out there for a contest? Let me know…
Good luck to all the runners here today.