The Stepson Grade II

Race : The Stepson – Grade II – $500,000
Track : Queensland (AUS)
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : One mile on the Turf

This Grade two has brought together an even field of milers. Takeover from the juvy will go around as favourite but there appears to be many chances amongst the nine runners.

PP1 – 51141 UNBRIDLED SKUNKZIG(KY) 5/1

4YC by Unbridled’s Song 24 starts 6-4-4 $196,037 (skunkfarms)

SP Rating 108.5 Distance 111 Overall Form 111 Recent Form 111

Five of his six wins on rain affected tracks including last start win at China in the LS Indy Challenge at stakes level over a mile. Will be well ridden by De Berg and looks the one to beat at good odds.

PP2 – 23111 DUBI DU BOP(KY) 5/1

4YC by El Prado(Ire) 20 starts 7-4-2 $210,746 (mossbunker)

SP Rating 107.7 Distance 107 Overall Form 111 Recent Form 111

Has struck a purple patch with wins at last three starts all at Allowance level the latest at Taiwan over nine furlongs. Will be running on at the end of the mile journey. Will go close here.

PP3 – 12525 TAKEOVER(IRE) 4/1

6YH by Giant’s Causeway(Ire) 47 starts 13-9-5 $798,587 (juvy)

SP Rating 107 Distance 108 Overall Form 108 Recent Form 106

Has not won since Grade Two success at Deauville in the Ted Nugent Classic over a mile five starts back. Goes well in the wet and has s great chance.

PP4 – 11514 CAPE BOJADOR(KY) 8/1

3YC by Henrythenavigator 15 starts 7-1-2 $412,095 (lasthope)

SP Rating 106 Distance 107 Overall Form 109 Recent Form 109

Scored third win four starts with victory at United Arab Emirates over seven furlongs before running fourth in Grade Two Hawkz Challenge last start, German 2000 Guineas winner over this trip. Will be well ridden by Cameron and not the roughest.

PP5 – 73752 ROCK THE BUDA(KY) 6/1

5YM by Rock Hard Ten 38 starts 6-7-6 $1,157,520 (vicki)

SP Rating 102.7 Distance 110 Overall Form 110 Recent Form 103

Has not won a race for quite a while now. Goes well in the wet and was an improved effort last start at Malaysia in Allowance grade over the mile. Queensland’s top jockey Wyatt will give her every chance.

PP6 – 68153 AWESOME ALLEGIANCE(AUS) 10/1

4YC by Encosta De Lago(Aus) 27 starts 7-4-5 $229,298 (reiqart)

SP Rating 101 Distance 108 Overall Form 108 Recent Form 108

Scored a very impressive win here three runs back in an Allowance race over eight and half furlongs with two even runs in Stakes races since.

PP7 – 25144 TOP NOTCH HERO(KY) 8/1

6YH by Distorted Humor 55 starts 14-8-7 $513,480 (johnhoward)

SP Rating 100.2 Distance 101 Overall Form 102 Recent Form 101

Won the Golden Oldies Mile here three starts back and unplaced in both efforts since. Will struggle.

PP8 – 17111 YRONWOOD(KY) 5/1

4YC by Awesome Again 22 starts 9-5-0 $224,891 (jonsnow2)

SP Rating 106 Distance 110 Overall Form 110 Recent Form 110

Winner at five of his last six starts. Win at India in Stakes Race the Sexy Theatre was followed by impressive performance at Victoria in the Slurpee Again Special both of these over seven and a half furlongs.

PP9 – 53213 CHANGING EMPIRE(KY) 9/2

4YC by Empire Maker 28 starts 9-4-5 $303,389 (sdmf)

SP Rating 105.7 Distance 109 Overall Form 109 Recent Form 109

Scored a good win two runs back at Belgium over the mile trip on a similar rain affected track and then ran a superb third in the Grade One Maudin Cup also over the mile. Wilbur takes the mount.

Good Luck to all Runners

Steve