A New Tale To Tell In The Canterbury
3896.5414 – G3 The Canterbury Tales Stakes
All Horses, 3 Years Old
Six Furlongs (6F)
PURSE: $150K TURF: Firm
In celebration of the 14th Century collection of works by Geoffrey Chaucer, seven gallant steeds met on the racecourse in New South Wales to weave they’re own tale of glory in the Grade 3 The Canterbury Tales Stakes. A capacity crowd was on hand as expected Saturday to watch the events unfold as several quality three year old colts met to compete for the honours of hoisting the golden chalice in victory. The race began as expected with stevemunoz’s IN MY BLOOD(IRE) springing to the lead as the gates flew open. He had never been headed in his career at any of the first three calls and was looking to keep his record intact here. Hot on his heels was urko1’s URKO’S KING(IRE) followed by 007stud’s CHURCH AND CHAPEL(KY), safrace5’s COUNTJEU(SAF) and chiknsmack’s RED BANANA(IRE) who were tightly bunched less than two lengths back. DAN CAN COTC(KY) cotclaim trailed the field down the stretch though only seven lengths separated first from last as they entered the far turn. IN MY BLOOD continued to lead through the bend, on top by one and a half over URKO’S KING, jockey P. Bangs shook the reins asking for more as he attempted to open up on this group as he entered the top of the lane. RED BANANA trying to stay with those top two, passed tiring horses CHURCH AND CHAPEL and COUNTJEU as those two began to back off the hot pace. Jockey Perkins, asking for chloedawg3’s TYCOON WELLS(FR) to make his charge, got no response today finding the tank empty as he tried to hold his position to the wire. Down the lane IN MY BLOOD cruised to victory under a hand ride to win by one and a quarter lengths followed by URKO’S KING in second and RED BANANA four and a half lengths back in third place.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP7: 103482 IN MY BLOOD(IRE) stevemunoz (2/1)
Holy Roman Emperor x Unbridled’s Song x Northern Dancer
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 13
WINS: 6 BANK: $240,820
“This strapping grey son of Holy Roman Emperor comes into this race on a roll having won his last two events in dominant wire-to-wire fashion. He’s won six of his seven lifetime starts to date and has never been headed at any call with the exception of faltering in deep stretch in his only Grade 1 attempt, The Digging The Grave Handicap. In his latest, the six and half furlong Grade 3 Alec and Stephen Stakes, he won convincingly opening by as many as five lengths at one point only to cruise under the wire in hand by almost three. He completed the distance in 1:15:4 (103) and has improved his speed rating in every race to date. If allowed to get out on top freely again, he’ll be difficult to coral in at the end. Dangerous and definitely the one to beat.”
PP2: 63144 URKO’S KING(IRE) urko1 (4/1)
Sadler’s Wells x Kingmambo x Roberto
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 28
WINS: 5 BANK: $199,775
“This son of Sadler’s Wells is coming in here of a strong allowance effort over six and half furlongs and just missing less than a length at the wire. It may have been his best race to date though not a winning one. The final time was a speedy 1:15:4 earning him a 101 speed figure and his style that day suits this race set-up perfectly. Over his brief career, he’s won at distances of six and a half to seven and a half furlongs and has the speed to stay in touch here though he may not be on the lead initially. Though not required today he has demonstrated an ability to handle the off going in the past which will serve him well down the road. He shortens up here to six furlongs which may not help nor hinder as he faces other speedy types as well but has the versatility to adapt and may pose a threat in deep stretch. A contender.”
PP1: 173672 RED BANANA(IRE) chiknsmack (8/1)
Red Clubs x Storm Cat x I Am The Game
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 30
WINS: 4 BANK: $168,000
“This lightly raced son of Red Clubs has only five dances on his card to date due to starting late in his two year old season. As a two year old he won both of his starts against non-graded company in dominant fashion wiring the field while earning matching 87 speed figures. In his three year old debut, the Babified Silver Special Stakes, he demonstrated his stalking ability while coming from off the pace in convincing style to overtake the leader late. He stubbed his toe in his next and only graded outing to date, the Grade 3 Booty Call Stakes, where a poor start did him in early causing him to lose confidence and resulted in his slowest career speed figure to date. He comes into this event on a winning note having wired the field in the Abbess Roding Special Stakes. This group will prove much tougher than the last but he may have learned from the Booty Call and a better beginning is a must to be successful.”
MEDIA NOTES:
· Only the winner, IN MY BLOOD(IRE) and Place finisher URKO’S KING(IRE) managed to crack the triple digit speed figure barrier with a 108 & 105 respectively covering the 6F distance in a 1:09.
· IN MY BLOOD(IRE) paid $6.10 (2-1) to Win. $2 Exactor (7-2) paid a healthy $26.50. The winning triactor combination of 7-2-1 paid $151.10.