Musical Chairs – Can You Handle It?

The race today over 7 and 1/2 furlongs is the Musicality Challenge.  Now only a small field today for this Stakes race at Tassie but one of the main attractions is not only the race but what happens just before the race begins.  About two mins before the gates open to let the runners out, 5 volunteers play musical chairs with a twist, the chairs are on the race track.  Aim is not only to win – you have to be sitting in a chair when the music stops – you also have to finish before the race begins otherwise you will get stampeded over by the runners. What fun…

1 SLEWS GONE WILD(KY)

Record: 26-8-1-6
Owner: italst6
Jockey: J Ohlmann
Odds: 9/5

Has been running exceptional speeds for this level of race all in the high 105 to 110 of late and mostly at Graded racing too.  Hasn’t been getting the results though, in fact his last win was way back in Dec last year which on an off track he won well with a speed of 114 over 8 furlongs.  He has been coming up short though since then and hasn’t been able to close well either running out of room or stamina. Not a sure bet here at all after running third over 8 furlongs while still closing in an Allowance race.  Back slightly in distance here – not sure if that will help or hinder.
  
2 AUSSIE THUNDER(AUS)

Record: 39-9-8-7
Owner: dagrims
Jockey: Do Tyrrell
Odds: 2/1   

Second favourite of the race is is in particularly exceptional form coming off a win at Allowance level over 7.5 furlongs and a speed of 110. Impressive hey. Stepping up to Stake level now, is in the right form to really shake this one up especially with only the 5 runners in all here.  Bred out of Commands, Aussie registered will be the local favourite here at the Tassie track for sure.  Even if he doesn’t win it he will be very very close – watch this space as they say.
 
3 CORCUBION(KY)

Record: 37-9-5-5
Owner: redhill6
Jockey: K Best 
Odds: 4/1 

Out of Tale Of The Cat x Seattle Slew x Mr. Prospector, this well bred 5yo horse has absolutely no chance at all.  Only joking… Of course.. In fact he has 5 wins on the run now, thats 5 wins in a row for you uneducated readers.  And his last race was a good one speedwise with 108 on the board across 7 furlongs.  Distance should be good – the only question is he is stepping up from claimers and allowance but that said he has been getting some good speeds as well as the results on the board.  Nothing to suggest he can’t win today – small field will only help him.  Big chance for him today.
 
4 SANDSTONE PARK(KY)

Record: 36-13-8-8
Owner: stupor1
Jockey: A Tazdevil
Odds: 5/2  

Has pretty much run his career 50/50 on turf and dirt tracks and his recent race form confirms that.  Last two races were on turf but his previous three to that was on dirt for a win and 2 second place finishes. Back to dirt here again now – hard to judge but he may well go for a place here.  Has been getting good speeds on both types of tracks so is an excellent all round horse really.  Has a chance I think even though he is stepping up to Stakes on dirt again.

 
5 STORMBOOTEDCIELO 

Record: 29-11-5-3
Owner: network6 
Jockey: J Harzheim
Odds: 7/1    

After a good Stakes win over 4.5 furlongs 3 runs back with a speed of 100 and leading the whole way, he has faded in his last two races over 6.5 furlongs and then last run over the 5 furlong range.  And that appears to be the problem for this 7yo, the distance here today.  Doesn’t look like he can handle anything beyond 5 furlongs and today’s race at 7.5f will only make it that much harder. Destined to run last I fear after leading early.  Maybe…