Paris Marathon Week

Grade 1 winners, Waylanka and Fire Josh Now renew rivalry in Saturday’s Kabal.

Astin has the favorite for the Kapal with the Just a Way gelding, Waylanka (#10, 4-1). With $2.2m on his card he’s clearly the class of the field. His last two campaigns have consisted of turf marathons in the Grade 1 or 2 class. He’s put up great efforts in each race. His record of 8 top two finishes in nine starts speaks for itself. His closing kick is very effective at this distance. Three back he got upset by Fire Josh Now. But he’s defeated many of the big players in this field. Look up my Number, Fire Josh Now and Borrowman have all been behind him recently. The consistency he shows makes him the one to beat.

Sonofaus Racing has the lone filly in the field with Lorne Danmon (#6, 7-1). Don’t get fooled, this gal isn’t scared to mix it up with the boys. She brings the fight to them. Last time out she bested ten others over this distance to win the Grade 2 Greatwood. She’s in terrific form with eight wins from her last nine starts. Don’t worry about how far back she lags. This filly rolls late and often runs up the score. She loves to win and loves to run.

Golden Chap (#7,10-1) from BBT Racing was looking for added distance races all along. This colt tried a mile and a mile and change and offered some run but was never happy. Once the distances increased the son of Golden Horn showed true promise. He finished his 3-year-old campaign with three straight wins. Since then he won the Nodoubt Kirby and was Graded Stakes placed twice. He has a strong late rally and should be with the filly closing with interest in the stretch.

Brundlefly’s nicely bred gelding by Dundeel, Look Up My Number (#3, 5-1) is a Grade 3 winner over 15 furlongs. This season the front runner has won three times in Allowance company while also running competitively in two Graded Stakes. The runner can get the distance and Graded Stakes experience plus his speed should be helpful here.

Dixiedotco brings ten-time winning gelding Zero Crossing (#8, 10-1) to Paris looking to add to his impressive resume. This French bred was brilliant over this track and trip in 2022 going four-for-four. After a lengthy absence he’s been after lofty goals in Listed Stakes and Graded racing. His connections hope his stalk and pounce style on a surface he likes will tilt the race in his favour.

Fire Josh Now (#1, 9-1) from the Willyam barn could be a very live longshot. Maturity was the key to his success. Only a few starts as a youngster, he started to figure things out quickly as a 4-year-old. Winning four times and hitting the exacta on three other attempts. This campaign started off with a bang when he won the Grade 1 South Australian Cup at 22-1. He took a new speed badge that day of 111 and clearly likes the turf marathons. He was third in the Equinics (Phar Lap) two back and last time out a lot was expected and he could only manage a no-threat fourth. He gets another chance on Saturday and offers good value at 9’s.

Spin sends Borrowman (#2, 5-1), a Graded placed 4-year-old colt by War Front. He’s from the classy mare A City Inside who used speed in long events to succeed. This colt has been good using a few different racing styles. He took down back-to-back Stakes scores with a good late move. Two back in the Grade 2 Second Henry he attended the pace and broke clear before giving it up late. Last out in the Equinics (Phar Lap) he set the pace before faltering. This distance certainly tests his stamina and he needs to prove he can be strong throughout the two miles.

Checkmate sends out Baba Khorkore (#5, 5-1). The homebred by Galileo has regal bloodlines and always has a say in the outcome of his races. Four back was a breakout performance when going 16 panels on turf. It was followed by a third in the Grade 1 Gold Glass. The filly Lorne Danmon was behind him then and she’s a big contender in the Kapal so I would make Baba one to fear too. This barn wins at a crazy rate and they bring this 5-year-old here off a big Stakes victory. A top three chance is very likely.

Woette Racing has two runners for this event. Woette’s Flash (#9, 8-1) is a hard-trying 5-year-old gelding by Calyx. Connections thought an attitude change was required and once the snip was done this guy turned on another gear. He’s been a very consistent Allowance runner who has $217k in earnings on his card. Top of the class form has been missing lately and two big questions hang over this gelding. The class and the distance. He’ll need to overcome both to figure in the outcome on Saturday.

The other runner from the Woette barn is Woette’s Dungeon (#4, 14-1) by Magna Grecia. This guy turned the corner when gelded as well. He ran a big fourth in the important  Italian Derby. He’s been grinding away in the Allowance conditions making over $200k in earnings. His stablemate might be faster but this guy has staying power and it should serve him well over these 16 furlongs. He’s never been worse than third in races 15 panels and longer.