Sydney Sprint GradeII

Race: Sydney Sprint – Grade II – $500,000

Track: Queensland (AUS)

Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up

Distance: Six furlongs on the Turf

A very smart bunch of sprinters will face the starter at Queensland on Saturday for half a million in stakes. In a race that does not have a lot of natural pace HERNANDO’S WAR from the inside barrier may push up and take the early lead from either LATTITUTE or IAN THOMAS. The favourite STRIKE WHEN READY from the sweetnan barn will settle midfield and will be hoping to add to its Breeders Bowl success.

STRIKE WHEN READY is definitely the one to beat and I think he is a special. The danger is the Hong Kong Sprint winner THOR’S ODYSSEY who will settle with Strike When Ready and try and match the favourite in the stretch. LIVING LOUD could be the surprise runner if he can capture his two year form of a couple of years ago.

Here is a rundown of the runner:

PP1 – 18306 HERNANDO’S WAR (ENG) 14/1

4YO Colt by Hernando (Fr) 20 starts 9-1-3 $839,669 (mikejoyce)

Win Percent 45.0% AveragePze 41,983 SPRating 105

Best Run – Won Grade One The Loot Your Booty Special 6 furlongs (3YO)

His form of late has been mixed but did run a good third at Oklahoma in the Grimnosh Stakes over seven furlongs three starts back. Is a Grade One winner over today’s distance as a three year old and could surprise here.

PP2 – 01313 LATTITUDE (KY) 6/1

4YO Colt by Henrythenavigator 20 starts 6-3-3 $1,777,455 (super14)

Win Percent 30.0% AveragePze 88,872 SPRating 112

Best Run – Grade One New Market Handicap 6 furlongs

Only unplaced run from his last ten starts was on a rain affected track five starts back. Scored a good win in the Grade One New Market at Victoria and then followed that with a second placing also at Grade One level in the Sand Castle Sprint over six furlongs in United Arab Emirates. Multiple Grade One level who will be hard to beat. The newcomer K Damo takes the mount and will give it every chance.

PP3 – 66642 URKO’S KING (IRE) 8/1

5YO Horse by Sadler’s Wells 28 starts 12-5-2 $1,889,005 (urko1)

Win Percent 42.8% AveragePze 67464 SPRating 108

Best Run – Won Grade One Longchamp Sprint over five furlongs at Paris

Has not won for six starts but did show glimpses of old form with a second at Paris over five furlongs in the Oh Brother Grim Turf Sprint last start. May find these too good. Should be well ridden by S DeBerg.

PP4 – 13315 THOR’S ODYSSEY (KY) 5/1

5YO Horse by Unbridled’s Song 24 starts 14-4-3 $2,444,400 (aaafarms)

Win Percent 58.3% AveragePze 101,850 SPRating 113

Best Run – Won Grade One King Kong Sprint over six furlongs at Hong Kong

Followed the Grade One win mentioned above with a well beaten fifth at New Zealand in the Grade One Teleprompter Cap when he failed to run on in the straight. If he reproduces King Kong run will be right in the finish. Will be given every chance by Queensland’s top jockey C Wyatt.

PP5 – 52120 SCATTERED KASH (KY) 16/1

4YO Colt by Scat Daddy 24 starts 12-2-1 $850,140 (rodpiper)

Win Percent 50.0% AveragePze 35,422 SPRating 103

Best Run – Won Grade Three The Hackwood over six furlongs at Berkshire

Won on the dirt three starts back at South Dakota in the Tolerant Bride Challenge over today’s trip. Down the track last start in the Grade One Sand Castle Turf Sprint at United Arab Emirates when drawn wide. Can improve on that run but may struggle against these sprinters.

PP6 – 21112 IAN THOMAS (IRE) 6/1

4YO Colt by Dylan Thomas (Ire) 16 starts 7-4-2 $197,150 (iant4)

Win Percent 43.7% AveragePze 12321 SPRating 112

Best Run – Second Grade 3 Mr Anderson Special 7 furlongs

Up and coming sprinter who has been placed at his last ten starts including six wins. Completed hat trick with a good win at Finland in the Broke My Bat Stakes over seven furlongs before a second at Grade Three level as mentioned above. This will be his greatest test to date.

PP7 – 74240 QUITE A CHUCKLE (KY) 12/1

4YO Colt by Bernardini 18 starts 7-1-1 $187,292 (ck2stable)

Win Percent 38.8% AveragePze 10,405 SPRating 108

Best Run – Won The Awesome Giant Stakes over seven furlongs

Has not won since victory in the Awesome Giant Stakes over seven furlongs at Argentina six starts back.  Can improve on latest effort at Tasmania in the Grade Three Mr Anderson Special over seven furlongs but will have to against a strong field.

PP8 – 43122 LIVING LOUD (AUS) 11/1

4YO Colt by Wonderful World (Aus) 23 starts 8-7-3 $1,567,782 (seplatt01)

Win Percent 34.7% AveragePze 68164 SPRating 110

Best Run – Won Grade One DPCD VIII Digging the Grave Hcp six furlongs (2YO) at Maryland.

Followed second at Berkshire in the Comrade BBOR Challenge over five furlongs with a good second in the Grade One New Market Handicap at Victoria last start over today’s distance. Multiple Grade One winner as a two year old who is racing in fine form. Has a big chance.

PP9 – 31319 STRIKE WHEN READY (KY) 9/2

6YO Horse by More Than Ready 27 starts 12-8-3 $2,202,006 (sweetnan)

Win Percent 44.4% AveragePze 81555 SPRating 116

Best Run – Won Grade One Breeders Bowl Turf Sprint at six and a half furlongs

Was disappointing in the Grade One New Market Handicap at Victoria last start after impressive win in the Grade Three Silk Road over six furlongs. Winner of this years Breeders Bowl Turf and looks the one to beat. Will be handled by M Cameron who will give him every chance.

PP10 – 42015 PREPOSTERAGEOUS (ENG) 8/1

4YO Colt by Medicean (GB) 20 starts 9-4-0 $3,400,000 (jetersring)

Win Percent 45.0% AveragePze 170,000 SPRating 108

Best Run – Won The Grade One Golden Shoe over six furlongs (2YO)

Has been mixing his form lately. Followed a win at New Zealand in The Horse Called War Memorial over five and a half furlongs with a close fifth in the Grade Two Powerful Sun over today’s distance. Multiple Grade One winner as a two year old who has a good chance here.

PP11 – 20512 SUPER RISK (IRE) 6/1

5YO Horse by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 34 starts 11-7-2 $1,749,250 (wistful0)

Win Percent 32.3% AveragePze 51,448 SPRating 113

Best Run – Won Grade One High Flyer Stakes over one mile (2YO)

Dropped back to Allowance level to score an overdue win at Hong Kong over seven and a half furlongs two starts back. Will find these top sprinters too quick.

Good Luck to all Runners

Steve