Yard Chat, Cry Of The Fox lead grassy Victoria undercard
Victoria– The turf campaigners tackle nine furlongs in this week’s $90,000 Danzig Relaunch Special for three year olds and up.
Bigkev’s sizzling Yard Chat gets the nod as the slight favorite at 3/1. The 4YO son of Elusive Quality has been close of late in the stakes ranks, but fails to take the home prize recently. The big boy didn’t want any part of the Violin Mile(G3) LTO and tries to stretch out a tad here. No reason to suspect that he won’t take to the added distance, but he’s been a miler specialist for quite some time. Top jockey Dario Evans hopes to harness the stalker’s stretch drive and overcome the extra ground.
On the other hand, redback’s Cry Of The Fox (7/2) clearly enjoys the nine panels, having won a pair of ALWs over the distance this past summer. The Dayjur 5YO finished a decent 5th in Grade1 company over this trip and currently rides a confidence boosting ALW score over 8.5f. Another stalker, the veteran of 37 calls to the post doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Great chance for an added-money win.
Miler specialist Farewell Unfuwain (4/1) from sls stable racks up the scores in ALW company in fine time. The Unfuwain 5YO hopes to stalk his way over the additional ground. I don’t really like proven flat milers to suddenly take to 9f out of the blue though. Should run honestly for minor piece of the purse in a “bid and hung” type trip.
By Storm Cat, SC Slew (5/1) ventures flashes of brilliance every now and then, tossing splendid speed figures over 8.5f turf here and there. After 19 outings though, the closer just hasn’t had much black type luck. Ran an odd clunker LTO and tries to bounce back on three weeks rest. Has to pass 9f distance too. Possible for minor cheque if he can put his running shoes on. If I were trainer philipp, I would put this colt at a flat mile, running him back to that 111 SP# eons ago. 8f could very well be his superior distance…. he can be OK beyond, but he’s at his crackerjack best at a flat mile. Maybe try dirt mile too. Promising.
Sesho17 sends out Its All Good Mate (6/1), who scored in restricted ALW company over this distance LTO. The Fantastic Light son was recently claimed for $35k and has earned his points back well for his new trainer. Must scale the class leap hurdle. We’ll see if the closer can throw a big 100+ SP#. Outside chance for the board.
At 7/1, the Roberto grandson Seasoned Samurai breaks from the rail. The venezuela2 trainee is a miler specialist leaping from the ALW ranks. A bit inconsistent and I don’t think he has much of a chance to suddenly take to the 9f. Pass.
As the lone millionaire in the field, Rockland(GB) (8/1) should draw some attention in the parade to the post. The veteran 6YO by Diesis(GB) has had a long and rewarding career at 50+ starts. The old pacesetter still displays some punch out of the gate, winning over 8.5f ALW LTO. Could in contention early on, but doubtful much after that. Could hit the board if these milers flop over the 9f.
The marathoner Gourmet Hick (9/1) could enjoy a cutback distance. The Caro(IRE) grandson is a pretty consistent 12f runner, earning his fair share of cheques for mavrksble2. Can be competitive over 10f, so no reason to suspect he wouldn’t take to the 9. Flip a coin. Sometimes the lesser ground works, but most of the time they’re also-rans. Outside chance.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Cry Of The Fox, gate to wire
Place: SC Slew, Its All Good Mate or Rockland(GB)
Show: Yard Chat
Good luck to all.