Have you ever heard “I Almost Picked The Winner”?
If you are as good as I am at your punting then you will know what I mean when I say I almost picked the winner. What I had coming in as second and third came in first and second and what I had as the winner didn’t come anywhere. Story of my life!!!
The winner of course today in the King Thor Memorial was THEATRICAL TRAILER(IRE) ridden by C Simien and ran an absolutely superb speed of 111 to take this one out. Jumped well out of the gates straight into second place and stayed there until mid race when he put on the accelerator and took off into first and stayed there until he crossed the line. The runners in second and third were closing and closing fast but he had a mile of a lead and they were never going to catch him. Great win after a great run. Trainer coolk2 was ecstatic with the win saying he always believed in his runner and was confident he could take it out. This was his best run yet to date with that speed and at Stakes level as well. The trainer has been very very patient with his horse moving him up to the next level only when he felt he was ready. Probably a lesson for us all including myself to remember not to push your horse into the next grade too fast but at the same time to give him the opportunity when he is ready for it. Threatrical Trailer(IRE) is ready for the next level now you would have to think. Wish he was in my stables!
SHAMZIG(IRE) was second across the line and finished strongly here in what was his debut Stakes race. Speed of 108 and had the presence of mind to finish well even though there was a strong challenge 200m out from the finish by third place runner in WYRM FYRE(ENG). In fact not only did not cave in to the challenge but he went on with it pulling away from him and entertaining thoughts of catching the winner although that wasn’t to be. Needed more distance – Id think about putting this one over 10 furlongs next time out. Still a great run with jockey T Phillips on board for trainer rintintin.
Third across the line was WYRM FYRE(ENG) which name I absolutely love. Won’t forget this runner in a while just on the name hey. Jumped and sat towards the rear of the field, he made his run about midrace. Made a very strong challenge for second place but couldn’t go on with it and in the end was content to finish third across the line. Equalled his career best speed of 108 and the trainer in khalasar should be happy with that run.
The rest of the runners today included:
CANTAZUCENO(KY) – jumped out of the gates in 10th spot and made a good rally at the end to finish 4th across the line and in the money. Good speed of 105 – maybe more distance would have helped. Maybe it wouldn’t have. Certainly wasn’t fading though just needed more speed at the end to figure.
WARWICK(IRE) – jumped well and was up the front early on. Everyone was waiting for him to repeat his recent run in the Danzig Relaunch Special stakes and at the third call he moved up to second place. After that though it was all downhill and he finished 5th and fading some 7 lengths behind the winner.
MAKE RIGHT TRAFFIC(NZ) – The first really of the ones who were never going to challenge today – some 10 1/2 lengths of the leader. Ran about mid field the entire race and thats where he finished. Nothing spectacular. Unfortunately went left on the turn when he should have gone right.
MOON DAMAGE(IRE) – Well this is the one which I had for the winner. He ran a shocker of a race and finished well back and 15 off the leader. Nothing there today and damaged my pocket that’s for sure.
SKY HAPPY(AUS) – Aussie bred and the first of the runners from our local Qld trainers from the Qld residency in Graywolf. Not happy today though. Maybe next time.
PIZZABEEL(NZ) – Jumped last after having to spend an extra few seconds in the gate finishing his mouthful of pizza. Trainer in Hawkz from the Qld Residency not happy at all with that. Next time eat the whole pizza before you run he shouted as Pizzabeel crossed in ninth place. Waste of good pizza!
APT TO WIN(KY) – Hasn’t won since July when he ran a crazy speed of 114 in the Nefarious(IRE) Bonanza Stakes and led wire to wire. Another bad one today – cruised along in midfield until he thought stuff it – can’t be bothered today and proceeded to slip back faster than ice-cream melting on a hot summer Qld day. Need to change your attitude son and get that winning feeling back.
CRUSH OF NOIR(IRE) – Was aiming to crush the field today and started with a bang straight into the lead and stayed there until mid-race. In the end though they all crushed him including the trainer at the end of the race.
BLUE ALI(CA) – Unfortunately someone has to run last – you just don’t want it to be you. Today it was Blue Ali – commiserations.
Hope to see you back at the Qld track next week. Great decent field of runners here and lets hope we get an even larger field next time if thats at all possible.
Cheers and take care.