Lucky Thirteen at NZ
1 AWESOME BABIES(KY) blueribbon R Chesterman 20/1
Is not looking good here today after some dismal form. Has run well at Stakes level and did get a third place late last year in a G2 but was fading in that race and I would say is just at that level where has not performed recently at Graded level. Certainly way off the pace last time out and will need to do much much better than that to figure here.
2 CRUSADING ENFORCER(IRE) foxon5 GD Mate 6/1
Classy 5yo horse here and still able to run the big races. Will be enjoying his trainer’s decision to run him over the 2 miler today as has been finishing strongly and wanting that extra distance to finish off the race. Good odds and a real big chance to take this out. Definitely a winner if he gets his run right.
3 CREEK MAMBO(KY) stcselur O Rann 7/1
Bit out of touch of late both on turf, at this level and over this distance and ran out on dirt last time just to see what he could do. Debut run on dirt and basically the result was don’t run me on this crap again! 🙂 Back to turf, needs to hold on to run this one out. Biggest question is can he run it out. I think not.
4 DYLAN TOM N JERRY(IRE) lgbost6 F Inzamam 6/1
A genuine two miler this runner, he has run some pretty big speeds over this distance of which the best one stands out in a G2 last year with a speed of 110 for the win. Certainly coming back into some form in his last 3 races but just failing to get the wins although did pick up 2 third place finishes. Will need to start his run as early as possible as he takes a while to wind up. Real chance here.
5 EL PRESIDENTE(ENG) dazzler K Thompson 10/1
Won a G2 race 3 runs back on a yielding turf track with an impressive 109 speed over 14 furlongs. Just doesn’t look in that type of form here today though with not a lot to show for his last 2 races although did close rapidly last time out in an allowance to grab 3rd place. Will need to pick up some speed to finish this one out. Distance shouldn’t be a worry though.
6 STARSWEPT(AUS) seedly P Chamberlin 34/1
Long shot of the race really doesn’t belong at this level after his only recent result a win in an allowance last time out. Did get a win at G2 and a 2nd place finish in a G1 but that was about a year ago now and nothing really to show since then. Not a whole lot to warrant running here that’s for sure. Be lucky if he doesn’t come in last. That said the distance should be ok – just doesn’t have the speed or class to match it here.
7 SHINE ON THROUGH(AUS) crown Z Hawkz 7/1
At first glance is experienced enough in Graded company and definitely has had a few runs at G1 level now. Reasonable speed but does seem to lack that strong finish which has seen him fade at the end of just about every one of his recent races. 6yo – getting on in age. Won’t run last but just can’t see him finishing strongly enough for a place.
8 GRAND BALL(KY) pointblank T Mooney 6/1
Consistent in speed all above the 100 plus mark except for his last run which still resulted in a win at allowance level. Likes the distance and in fact should go well here over 2 miles. Needs to finish well and strong to get the win.
9 SADLER ROCK(IRE) daniel W Dishman 12/1
Bit up and down in form, needs a jockey who will take him to the edge, drop him a little and then give him his head to run it out for a win. Good odds really considering he did win last time out over 16 furlongs in a G2. well worth backing and should be there challenging for a place if not better.
10 VOODOO SMILE(IRE) texasace00 N Jacke 8/1
Might have a voodoo smile but needs a consistent smile to be honest. Ran 2 really good races at G3 and G1 level for a win and 2nd place finish all over this distance. Excellent speed in the G1 as well with a 113 across the course. His last race was a shocker though failing badly after missing the jump and then the whole race too. Recently come up from allowance is definitely one which will either surprise with a win or come in last.
11 WOLFMAN HAS NARDS(KY) cmd3 P Rosportz 10/1
Going to need nards, luck and maybe even a lightning bolt to pull this one off. Although is coming in with some level of confidence with a win at allowance level over this distance, this is way way harder than that. Doesn’t look like a winner here today I fear.
12 CAN I GET TWELVE(KY) foals2010 M Goff 13/1
Very close to getting twelve in this race until along came the last entrant which made it 12 plus 1 which in my book equals thirteen. Which for some is an unlucky number and for this one is definitely unlucky. Can’t see him wiping this field away and is in some danger of being wiped himself if he doesn’t get a good run, some early speed and a strong finish. Hard to see winning.
13 K’S ZARAK(IRE) pompeya F Chute 9/1
Looks good at Allowance level, in fact looks very good there. Even at Stakes looks good but in Graded company to date was up early but then fades bigtime towards the end of the race. I think this class is too much for him and at his tender age of 7 maybe should be thinking about retiring in the grassy field some time soon. Still competitive at allowance or stakes but this will be too hard.