Balsom looks the goods in the Sundown Mile
Balsom looks the goods in the Sundown Mile
By: Tyler Cox
This weekend horse racing fans will have a keen eye on the racing at Surrey. The Grade II Sundown Mile has attracted a short but sweet field for the mile duel on the turf course. With $250,000 up for grabs it is quite surprising that only 8 runners accepted but it can be explained through the amount of stakes races this week. This race carry’s quite a significant amount of importance on the English racing calendar as we move towards to the carnival, many of these runners will be looking to rack up some lucrative stakes points that are on offer to move their way up the rankings and order of entry of the big G1’s. Let’s get to the preview
Rank: 205
Skunkfarms runner here is Unbridled Skunkzig who must be respected as I’ve noticed this stable has been prominent in graded stakes racing over recent years. Top jockey R Whisper jumps aboard and this trainer and jockey combination is sure to boost this guy’s chances. Success has been hard to come by at this level with a graded placing a while back but since he has dropped to the Allowance levels where he has struggled. That was until last start where he jumped out of the ground to crush an Allowance field with a 112 speed figure. It is hard to judge this horse as his last start speed figure is the 2nd highest in the race but his overall form has been pretty average. Don’t discount
#2 – Moon Cat – 5/1
Rank: 424
Blazing Saddles have obviously conducted the gate draw themselves as they have drawn post #1 and #2. Desperado’s entry Moon Cat is by super sire Storm Cat and comes into this race without a win in seven starts. Racing in the top grade took a toll on Moon Cat forcing the trainer to drop him back to an Allowance where he could only muster 3rd place. His last start performance wasn’t great either, finishing 8th in a Grade III. That was over 7 furlongs and I do think he will improve at the mile trip but it does not solve the problem of his recent form. He has the ability to win this but his recent form casts doubt in my mind. Respect him as he was coming off a short let-up last start and a massive improvement could be right around the corner.
#3 – Dynamambo – 5/1
Rank: 59
Maybe the bookie was being lazy and opened the whole field at 5/1? Dynamambo is a superbly bred horse and is ranked very highly at 59. It’s a credit to the horse and the trainer for his consistency of last year with three stakes wins in the second half of last year. More importantly he came 2nd in a Grade II at this distance and his form is still top notch with a 3rd place last time out in a Grade III at 10f where he faded right at the end. He is in form, consistent and loves the trip. What else can you ask for? He is my second pick and is the likely danger to the favourite
#4 – Rode Me Hard – 4/1
Rank: 162
Rode Me Hard is a 6yo son of Rahy who has earned almost $2 million in prize money. After 41 starts, he isn’t racing at his best but that doesn’t mean he isn’t racing well. In recent starts he has been super consistent at stakes level with a Grade III win last year and three straight placings coming into this race, two of which were at stakes level. His speed figures are decent with an 108 last time out at 9 furlongs. He has been finishing his races off like he wants longer distance but he did win a Grade III at a mile seven starts back, so he may relish the drop back in distance. Contender
#5 – Balsom – 3/1
Rank: 252
The Swedish horse has come up favourite on the tote and rightly so. Balsom has had consistent form at stakes level but before his last start you wouldn’t want him in a Grade III. However his last start was very impressive where he was just beaten in a Stakes at 8.5 furlongs and posted a 113 speed figure. He sat just behind the leaders and pounced on them in the straight but just ran out of gas at the end. The slight drop back in distance to a mile could be key for Balsom. If you are looking for a negative, well there is a huge negative, but it is not the horse. Jockey T Liverson sports a woeful 4% winning percentage this year. Obviously the jockey is only making a living on riding fee’s and I’m going to pick this boy on form, but the jockey is a real worry.
#6 – Thunderofthegods – 7/1
Rank: 640
I find that the 7/1 offered for Thunderofthegods is very short considering he’s been racing in Allowance races and steps up to a Grade III. The most positive thing I can find about Thunderofthegods is that his last two attempts at a mile he has won but they were only in Allowance company. The 107 & 107 speed figures he posted are enough to keep up in this field but he will need to improve out of sight to get over the top of this field. Rough chance but I will keep my money somewhere other than on this horse.
#7 – Mushrooms – 7/1
Rank: 1244
Mushrooms is one of the two youngsters of the field but with a poor ranking and average form I can’t see him competing here today. I don’t like Allowance form going into Graded Stakes races. Even more so when the horse hasn’t even been able to win an Allowance coming into the race. He goes alright at the distance and his recent high speed figure of 106 isn’t bad either but it is not up to the quality of this race. I would take Mushrooms back to Allowance company where he is more than capable to string together a couple of wins.
Rank: 1217
The outsider of the field is another 4yo who hasn’t won for six starts. His form at 7 furlongs is quite good with a Grade III placing four starts back but it has gone down hill since then. He has struggled since in stakes company and if anything I think he wants a furlong less not more. Out of form horse, out of form jockey, once again I recommend dropping back to Allowances where he could win a few races and rack up the bp’s.
2. Dynambo
3. Moon Cat