2yo Qld’rs go at it

Another day at the races today at Queensland and we have 9 entrants in the L’ROD’s ALPHABET Challenge Stakes race today over 6 and 1/2 furlongs.  They are the up and coming 2yo’s and the track is rated as firm turf for the purse of $65,000.

No interviews today due to real life commitments and being interstate with work but we will have a nice little look at these runners before the race gets underway and see if we can find a winner or two:

1 BELEQWAYA(IRE) 

Onwer: irishman2
Record: 2-2-0-0
Earnings: $51,840
Jockey: S DeBerg
Odds: 9/2 

Two outings for two wins, this one is out of Heliostatic x Kris S. x Danehill.  First up run was in July over 6 furlongs which he won by 1 1/2 lengths and a speed of 78.  Next race was end of  August again over 6 furlongs in Stakes company which was another win but this time with a lower speed raing of 75.  He hasnt raced since then so a decent spell and is coming back here fully rested. Definite chance –  be interesting to see if that spell has helped him or not.
  
2 CHILL OF A DOLLAR(IRE)

Owner: calle5 
Record: 5-2-0-1
Earnings: $35,645
Jockey: D Ayso
Odds: 3/1    

Pretty cool name, is out of Teofilo x Mr. Prospector x Buckpasser and has 2 wins out of 5 outings to date. Those two wins being his maiden and then followed up immediately in Allowance company.  Has finished fifth in a G3 race with his best speed so far of 78 coming in his Allowance win.  Faded last time out and was swamped in the straight in Stakes company and I fear the same could happen here.  Likes to lead but will have to hold on to win.

3 DIGGINDAMAMBO(FL)

Owner: vipersix
Record: 4-2-0-2
Earnings: $69,736
Jockey: C Wyatt 
Odds: 5/1  

Trialled initially on dirt unsuccessfully was put over to the turf with immediate success with a win over 5.5 furlongs in his maiden with a speed of 78. Out of Black Mambo x Danzig x Nijinsky II he followed that run up with a win again over 5.5 furlongs in Stakes company and a speed of 77.  Last time out was at G3 level and he finished a respectable third place there and a speed of 79.  Consistent on the turf looks good here for this distance.  Good chance here.
 
4 COUNTJEU(SAF) 

Owner: safrace5 
Record: 4-2-1-0
Earnings: $80,875
Jockey: I Harvey
Odds: 7/2 

Another of the favourites and is from Count Dubois(GB) x Montjeu(IRE) x Ela-Mana-Mou(IRE).  Two wins with one at Stakes level and a speed of 82 in the Sharp Son Special stakes over 7.5 furlongs.  Last time out ran in the Beaten Ransom(GB) Special Stakes over 8.5 furlongs and finished a fading fourth and a speed of 83.  Distance better suited here and with those speeds should be a definite chance.  
  
5 ORO(ENG) 

Owner: mihiri 
Record: 1-1-0-0
Earnings: $21,840
Jockey: A Boyington
Odds: 8/1    

Out of Oasis Dream(GB) x Generous(IRE) x Ela-Mana-Mou(IRE) has only the one run to date.  That run was over 7 furlongs in a maiden on a good turf track. Speed rating of 76 on the off track and won by a nose.  Hard to tell what he is going to do here today but if he likes the firmer track could be a challenger.  Have to wait and see but might be worth throwing some money on him with 8/1 odds.

6 ROAD RULES(AUS)

Owner: whoswho
Record: 7-2-0-2
Earnings: $67,490
Jockey: M Cameron
Odds: 9/1  

Aussie bred this one and yes I always make mention of the Aussie horses.  Is from Waterford Road(AUS) x Peace Rules x Awesome Again. Is the top performer out of Waterford Road in his first season as sire.  Has had 7 outings since March with 2 wins to his name.  Those two wins were his debut on maiden and a Stakes race 2 races back. Best speed to date is 75 and this distance looks about right for him too. One of the ones who could challenge if he gets a good run.
 
7 COZY HILTON(SAF)

Owner: hawkz4
Record: 1-1-0-0
Earnings: $19,080
Jockey: P Kays
Odds: 20/1    

Local trainer Cozy Hilton is out of Hinton Wells x Cozzene x Slew city Slew.  Hinton Wells has produced 3 Stakes winners to date and this one looks good too with a debut run of 70 over 5.5 furlongs on the turf which resulted in a win by a length.  And thats his only run to date.  Long odds but could improve from that one run back in August. 

8 KASH WISH(KY) 

Owner: rodpiper
Record: 2-1-0-1
Earnings: $16,160
Jockey: C Simien 
Odds: 11/1  

Has had two runs to date with one on the turf and one on the dirt.  Out of Cozzene x Lemon Drop Kid x Tom Rolfe he looked faster on the dirt to be honest.  His first run was on turf which was a win back in August but a speed of only 58 over 6 furlongs.  His 2nd and last run was over 7.5 furlongs on the dirt where he faded at the end but still finished in third place (out of 4 entries) and a much better speed rating of 68.  Looks like he will struggle here though in my opinion.
 
9 VOLLEY SHOT(JPN)

Owner: mickracing
Record: 3-2-0-0
Earnings: $32,500
Jockey: M Radke
Odds: 7/1   

There are some runners here with a real chance and good odds and this one is no exception.  From Jungle Pocket(JPN) x Stop the Music x Wolf Power(SAF) this one has had 3 outings for 2 wins all on turf.  Best speed rating is 80 where he won over 7 furlongs in an Allowance race. Couldnt really back that win up last time out but still ran a respectable speed of 79 in that one.  Based on those speeds alone should be able to seriously challenge here.

Well people they are the runners here today. Who do you fancy?  There are any number here who could win – should be a good close race.  My picks are:

4 COUNTJEU(SAF)
3 DIGGINDAMAMBO(FL)
6 ROAD RULES(AUS)