The Grade 3 Sapphire
A field of 8 fillies and mares line up to contest the Grade 3 Sapphire today in New South Wales Australia. In 2009 Court (by Anabaa) won the real life version of this race and in 2008 it was Belong to Many (by Belong to Me) who won top honors so now that you have those interesting facts let’s look at today’s field to see who will win the simulated version of The Sapphire.
1. Mya’s Birthday – Four year old daughter of Gone West is lightly raced with just 7 lifetime races, 3 of which resulted in wins. Her recent form has been exceptional with back to back wins including a monster 107 speed figure last out in a 7 furlong open allowance. Tough field to make her stakes debut in but if she runs back to her last she’ll give an honest effort.
2. Grand Gal – Daughter of Grandera is the co longshot at 11-1 but is a stakes winner so deserves some simulated respect. Tried dirt for the first time last out and ran a clunker but perhaps the dirt to turf changeup will cause a surge in speed figures. Has done her best running at 7 furlongs or longer and her only try under that was a less then encouraging 5th so it’s hard to get overly excited about her chances today.
3. Guineas Toast – In the interest of full disclosure I train this 5 year old daughter of Kingmambo so you have been warned about any potential bias. She showed ability right out of the gate and managed to become graded placed in just her 3rd lifetime race but has been a very inconsistent sort since then. She can fire huge races as evidenced by her near miss in the G2 Cash Call in 2009 and her smashing win in DPCD but she’s also apt to throw a clunker as well. Intriguing angle is she has never run under 8 furlongs so she is a total wild card at today’s distance so at 4-1 I’d likely seek safer alternatives for the win spot.
4. Gossiper – No one likes a gossip but legacy’s 5 yr old Andromeda’s Hero daughter has had a solid career and thrives at today’s distance. She is a multiple open stakes winner but has never broken through the graded level in two tries but deserves another try today. Her recent form appears on the decline and her desire for the lead sets up potential pace scenarios that could be troublesome.
5. Sightseeing – Fellow Blazing Saddles member Meguire, best known for his trademark LOL has a solid 4 yr old daughter of Lawman (by Invincible Spirit) that’s nearing in on 400k in lifetime earnings. Her big wins came back as a 2 yr old when she won the Grade 3 Palms Outward Stakes and the Blazing Saddles Juvenile fillies res race. Her form has gone in and out of cycle since then and although she showed signs of life last out by finishing 3rd in an open stakes at todays distance she will need to increase her speed figure significantly to win the Sapphires.
6. King’s Halo – Five year old daughter of Southern Halo has an impressive record of 15 wins in 25 lifetime races with over 900k in the bank. Is one of those rare performers that has been able to win a stakes race every year of her career and she also has appeared in two Equinics events finishing 2nd in 2008 and 5th this year. She loves to get in front and never look back and being the most accomplished and consistent runner in today’s field makes her an intriguing value at 4-1 odds.
7. May Monte Lead – Named by Monte but banished to claims after 8 lifetime races this four year old daughter of Azamour experienced resurgence under trainer manndar’s care. She’s been a super earner since that 4k claim winning 9 races and a pile of bps for her connections. Most of those wins came in starter allowances but there were also two open length allowance wins that give hope she can rise up in class yet again. She would have been the wise guy choice if the track came up off as she is 3 for 3 but its firm turf today so that slightly diminishes her chance of a signature breakthrough today.
8. Corporate Cat – Punter34’s 4 year old Florida bred by Congrats is really coming into her own posting 4 straight races with a 104 speed figure or higher. Her last win in a 6f open stakes was her coming out party as she posted a 106 and proved her allowance wins could translate at the next level (Tim Tebow loves her for that). The most perplexing question I have for her connections is why hasn’t mare Morphemic (Rahy X Storm Cat) been given another try because you have a real nice stakes winner from her only try, so get to it and make her a momma again in 2010!
Outlook: There is a lot of early speed in this race and based on recent form Corporate Cat is the fastest of those options. For that reason I am going to pick her to breakthrough yet again and win in her first graded attempt. Guineas Toast will pick up the pieces and get up for 2nd in her first sprint attempt and grizzled veteran King’s Halo will round out the trifecta.