COULD IT BE AN UPSET FROM A PERFECT STRANGER?

Graded Racing this week takes place in Italy, where the historic sites and fresh aroma of amazing cooking sets the scene for The Ambrosia Grade III, a race on turf over a mile and a quarter for all horses four years old and up. In somewhat of a surprise, only 5 horses nominated for a chance at the $150,000 purse. Here’s how they look.

1 – CAUSE UR A CAT(IRE) – zbigcat – 2/1

(GALILEO (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x RED RANSOM)

A regally bred 6yo horse who is no stranger to winning with the lifetime career record of ten victories from thirty eight outings. He won last start at Stakes level over nine furlongs and finished strongly in that race. He has been placed over this trip twice at Grade II level in recent times which is good form for this race.

2 – COZY BEND(IRE) – rlogan – 2/1

(REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) x COZZENE x KINGMAMBO)

A consistent performer with a thirty three percent win strike rate who was just pipped on the post  last time out over this distance and at this level. On that occasion he produced a nice SP# of 112. He seems perfectly at home over this distance and meets a small field here which may also play into his hands. A major player here.

3 – PERFECT STRANGER(KY) – malekfarms – 9/2

(GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x MISWAKI x PLEASANT COLONY)

A multiple Graded race winner and earner of over a million dollars in stakes money who has won two Grade II races in recent times. Failed to impress last time out in an identical race to this when finishing thirteenth beaten over thirty lengths. The upside of that performance was that it was totally out of character and a return to form here would see him right in commission to win this event. Take on trust at nice odds for such a small field. Despite being the longest priced horse in the field, this guy is also the highest ranked.

4 – SUNSETTER(IRE) – foxon7 – 3/1

(WESTERNER x RAINBOW QUEST x SEATTLE SLEW)

This four year old caught the eye last start when flashing home over a mile in a Grade III event. The start previous he was a smart Stakes winner over nine furlongs. He has won ten of his twenty six career starts and has also won over todays trip. Definitely must be considered a chance here.

5 – CLUB FORTUNE(KY) – stupor2 – 3/1

(MINESHAFT x DANZIG x LYPHARD)

Has earned the tag of perennial bridesmaid in recent times with no less than four second placings in a row. One of those was over this distance at Grade II level so his ability is proven. Will look to lead from pillar to post and needs to fins that little bit extra to hold out the field. This is the smallest field he has raced in for sometime which may work in his favour. He will look the winner at some stage.

In a race where the whole field is between 2/1 and 9/2 it seems hard to split a lot of these guys. The pace of the race may dictate who eventually salutes.

I’ve selected 3-1-5

Good Luck and Good Punting

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