DOWNFORCE CAN DOMINATE IN THE SPANKIE-SHO ALL COMERS
Japan, always referred to as the land of the rising sun is also a haven for big purses and this week is no different when stayers will contest the Spankie-Sho All Comers Grade II. This time honoured event is for all horses three years old and up and is staged on Japans lush turf course over a mile and three eighths. There is a massive $1,200,000 up for grabs in the race yet only six runners have nominated. Let’s check them out.
1 – QUAINT(IRE) – flagdown – 2/1
(MONTJEU (IRE) x CAERLEON x PRINCE JOHN)
G Arnold ( 666 – 111 – 137 – 110 – 17% )
A four year old colt who has won four of his last eight outings including a Grade II over a mile and a half. He produced a very fast finished to wind up third last time out over ten and a half furlongs at Grade 1 level and ran an SP# 110 in the process. He looks to have more than his share of ability and the 2/1 quote suggests he is a chance. Trainer flagdown said “Going on his last run I think he has a huge chance here, he was motoring home and I think this race is slightly easier.” If he can produce his best he will go close.
2 – APPLES AND ACES(IRE) – bobcat – 5/1
(HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x GONE WEST)
L Fenner ( 144 – 14 – 18 – 20 – 10% )
This regally bred five year old horse has an imposing strike rate with eleven wins from just thirty two career outings and, in the process, he has won himself over six hundred thousand dollars in stakes money. He is a multiple stakes level winning horse who has been running ok of late including a couple of placings at stakes level. The main concern is his ability to step up to graded level racing and the fact that he may not be at his best right now. He ran home for third last start over ten furlongs in a stakes event and will settle near the back of this field and try to rattle home again. Trainer bobcat said “he has given many indications this is his pet distance and we’re hoping he can find a little bit more for us on his recent runs.” Given that element of risk, it may be worth watching him go ‘round here to see where he is at right now at this level.
3 – BOTSWANA(KY) – takeall3 – 5/1
(SMART STRIKE x DEPUTY MINISTER x ALYDAR)
W Lloyd ( 278 – 51 – 28 – 38 – 18% )
This five year old son of Smart Strike ran one of his better career races last time out when finishing second in a Grade III event over this distance. On that occasion he sat second for the duration of the event and just couldn’t go with the eventual winner, however he did produce an SP# 106 in the process which was his best for some five runs. He definitely loves this distance and will look to race up near the lead again in this one. Trainer takeall3 said “We are just hoping to eventually find him a Graded race where he can get a soft lead and have enough in the tank at the business end to run away from them.” Given that he is one of only two or three on pace runners here this may be as easy as he is going to get, time will tell if he is good enough.
4 – DOWNFORCE(ENG) – icbomber10 – 7/2
(WITH APPROVAL x RED RANSOM x IN THE WINGS(GB))
K Ledwith ( 710 – 216 – 139 – 102 – 30% )
This four year old colt is the class runner of the field, he boasts a turf long rank of just tenth and has won over two million dollars in his twenty one race career. He ran fourth last time out over a mile and a half at the top level and before that he had won two in a row including a Grade 1 at this distance. He has the added bonus of top jockey K Ledwith steering him today as well. Trainer icbomber10 said “This race looks very suitable for him and I’m surprised at the odds in a small field, I’d expect him to go very close to winning this” At 7/2 tis multiple Grade 1 winner represents enormous value and is worth a bet. Classy colt who will take a power of beating.
5 – CAPITAL KINDNESS(KY) – screaming – 5/2
(NORTH LIGHT (IRE) x MACHIAVELLIAN x SHADEED)
A Hudson ( 262 – 19 – 27 – 38 – 7% )
A four year old filly and the only girl in the field. She has a terrific record and is ranked 37th among the turf long runners. She seems to be improving each time she steps out and landed a ten furlong Grade 1 event just two starts back, prior to that she won a Grade III race over nine and a half furlongs. Last time out she got caught up in a race with many in pace runners and faded slightly in the stretch after a treacherous speed battle. Given a better pace here she should bounce back to her best. Trainer screaming said “ It may pay to over look he last run given the circumstances, I’m expecting her to be close to the front here all the way.” A very classy filly. Take on trust.
6 – AS THE WALLS FELL(KY) – malekfarms – 7/1
(A.P. INDY x SADLER’S WELLS x RED RANSOM)
C Roser ( 511 – 61 – 75 – 77 – 12% )
This regally bred four year old colt has been lightly raced and is a winner of five from thirteen career outings. One of his best runs to date was two starts back when he saluted at Grade III level over a mile and a half when he flew home from last on the turn with a withering burst of speed. He was well beaten last time out over thirteen furlongs at Grade II level and will need to find the form of two runs back to be competitive. His runs over this distance have always shown promise with the only query being is if he prefers a little longer. Trainer malekfarms said “ If we can get a hot pace up front he will storm over the top of them, that’s the plan for us.” He may need hIs share of luck to feature.
I’ve selected 4-5-1
Good Luck and Good Punting
BUTCHA