Speed to Burn in The Prospect Learn
Race ID:3854.3410
The Prospect Learn Handicap Stakes
$75,000
3 Year Olds
Turf: 8 furlongs
The afternoon was crisp at the Surrey racecourse in south England for the running of The Prospect Learn Stakes over eight furlongs of firm turf. Local racegoers watched with great anticipation as a competitive group of three year olds prepared to do battle on Sussex Handicap Stakes Day. A number of the entrant’s were on their toes today as post time approached. A speed duel developed out of the gate between AGBONLAHORS VILLAN(ENG) avfc and RIVER OF FUN(AUS) holyghost. Trading punches from the outset they broke away from the main field opening up by four lengths to the top of the stretch. With two furlongs remaining, jockey A. Powers on SUNSTREAM(ENG) runpastem9 began his rally as both he and his charge, who were stalking in mid pack, was moving fastest at the end missing by one and three lengths. Running a speed figure of 97, holyghost earned his fourth victory in ten starts running the eight furlongs in 1:35:3. Place SUNSTREAM(ENG) (runpastem9) on your “watch list” as he finished a fast closing second earning a career high speed figure of 95 … a bright future may indeed lie ahead for this son of Echo of Light(GB).
Hladun’s Pre-Race Analysis:
RIVER OF FUN(AUS) holyghost
“The morning line favourite is the son of little known sire Snitzel who may be making some noise here in this spot. The most seasoned of the entrants today, he comes out of the Grade III Roasting Weenies Stakes here at Surrey on January 10th where he held the lead until late giving it up in the final strides to lose by a quarter length. Posting a 100 speed figure, a repeat of that performance will make him difficult to take down. The horse to beat!”
SUNSTREAM(ENG) runpastem9
“This strapping son of Echo of Light(GB) comes into this race having won his last two at the Allowance level. He does have Stakes experience having finished third as a two year old in the Grade II Manofjunk over eight and a half furlongs of “yielding” turf. He’ll have firm conditions today and is on a roll of late … a contender.”
AGBONLAHORS VILLAN(ENG) avfc
“This Sakhee colt has won five of eight starts, missing the board only once in his brief career and that coming in the Grade III Phenom Stakes in his last start as a two year old. In that nine furlong race, he led from the gate and attempted to wire the field only to tire badly in the stretch. With one eighth of a mile less to navigate here he has the class to dominate this field. A threat to wire this field he boasts four Listed Stakes victories on his racing resume.”
POST RACE NOTES:
- Jockey R. Whisper rode a masterful race in wiring the field on a ride hand and was quoted afterwards … “my horse sure was game … ain’t nobody goin’ by him today!”
- Prince Philip was in attendance and was observed enjoying the races from the Royal Box at trackside.
- Hladun picks another in this spot … granted he was the favourite J