GLOSTER METEOR TO BLOW THEM AWAY
Graded racing come to Germany this week with the 3yo’s set to grace the mile and one sixteenth turf course in the The Doctor Is In Memorial Grade III. Just seven runners have nominated for the chance at this $150,000 purse so let’s see how the compare on past performances.
1 – MIRACLE MAX(CAN) – squirrel4 – 7/1
(NOT IMPOSSIBLE (IRE) x DISTANT VIEW x UNBRIDLED’S SONG)
It is well known that squirrel never brings a horse to the races that isn’t trained up to the minute and given every chance of winning and this is no exception. A winner of three from eleven, all at a mile or further, this colt is yet to crack it at stakes level. He did catch the eye when finishing fourth over this distance in a Grade II race last time out. Will need luck to win but is definitely a top three hope.
2 – ENCOSTA ROCK(AUS) – queahora – 6/1
(ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) x ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x RIVERMAN)
A horse who is slowly making his way through the grades and will face his toughest test so far here in this race. He is a winner of two who was well beaten at his only stakes outing. Caught the eye with a fast finishing second last time out when producing an SP# 97 over a mile. Will need to be on his best behavior to be competitive here.
3 – AGRESSOR(IRE) – hollandia7 – 9/2
(ACCLAMATION (GB) x PINE BLUFF x CONQUISTADOR CIELO)
This colt is ranked 112 in the turf classics and has the super hoop E. Bernstein up for this event. Broke through for his maiden win just four starts back but went on with the job winning three in a row, the third of those being a stakes race over a mile which was his first outing as a 3yo. Ventured to the land down under last start for a crack at Grade 2 fame and fortune but only managed a fourth. Drops in class a little on that race for this event and is one of the major players.
4 – ENGLISH STUDENT(KY) – biggame – 9/1
(ENGLISH CHANNEL x AFFIRMED x GREEN DESERT)
Ran a beautiful allowance race last time out when finishing second over 9 furlongs and producing an SP# 96. That was easily his best of his three outings as a 3yo. Has only won on one occasion to date and that was over 5.5 furlongs as a 2yo. Looks to be in form but also looks a little out of his depth in this one.
5 – TRIZAN(KY) – arameo – 3/1
(EL PRADO(IRE) x CAT THIEF x KRIS(GB))
A winner of two races who is yet to salute the judge as a three year old. Last time out produced a startling speed figure of 104 when finishing fourth, albeit only a length behind the winner. He has won a stakes race as a 2yo over a mile and has an element of class about him. If he can put his best foot forward here today a win would not surprise.
6 – CROSSED FORM(ENG) – jmahls – 7/1
(DUBAWI (IRE) x CAPE CROSS (IRE) x DYNAFORMER)
Has only been able to manage one top three placings in his last eight starts. The upside of that is that it was a win over 9 furlongs just two starts back. Took on a Grade II field last start and was soundly beaten. Appears to lack consistency and may find the top three or four here a little too classy.
7 – GLOSTER METEOR(KY) – locomotive – 9/5
(CURLIN x STORM CAT x SADLER’S WELLS)
This colt is easily the yard stick in this field. A turf classic ranking of 20 coupled with a great win strike rate of four from eight put this guy a long way in front on paper. Two starts back he was a Grade II winner over a mile before a second over the same distance last start, also in a Grade II race. He has the services of top jockey T. Small in this and it is very hard to see him getting beaten. He looks a class above this field.
So it looks like a filed with one top notch runner who may leave all the others running for the minor money.
I’ve selected 7-5-3
Good Luck and Good Punting
BUTCHA