The Winter Sprint 2011
Hello all and welcome to freezing Victoria, but I’m sure that won’t ruin the punters spirits. There is only one big race on the card today and that is race 14 The Winter Sprint a Grp2 over 1400m. There are a few genuine chances to take this race out and even in the cold weather the crowd has turned out to see an amazing race. So what is up for grabs for the winner? A group 2 win and $300,000 dollars and not to mention bragging rights.
Race: The Winter Sprint (3rd Running)
Class: Group 2 (Grade II)
Distance: 1400m (Seven furlongs) (7F)
Track Info: Firm Turf
Prize money: $500,000
Restrictions: 3yo & Up, Fillies and mares
Let’s take a look at the previous winners:
2009: BACK IN THE DAY(KY) 107sp $4.2* J Cox
2010: SHE MIGHT BE GIANT(KY) 107sp $4.5* J Cox
Now let’s take a closer look at the field:
PP#1: NAME: PRINCIPAL DANCER(ENG) AGE: 4yo SEX: Mare Owner: cthstable
Jockey: J Cox Odds: $4.5 (9/2)
Starts: 18:10-5-0 Money: $404,411 Last5 Starts: 21221 Rank: 9
Dist Starts: 4:2-2-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 113 Class Starts: 1:0-0-0
This PIVOTAL(GB) mare has done really well in her racing career so far, and this year she is in stunning form. She is yet to finish worse than second in her 5 starts this year, but is trying at this class only for the second time. Her last 2 starts were at this distance in a GRP3 & Stakes class with a very strong win last start where she put in those big strides to win by a lenght and a half. Has a top jockey on her back in J Cox and no doubt he will give her every shot at winning this. The bookies have installed her as equal favourite but should shorten to outright favourite before the jump and should be hard to beat.
PP#2: NAME: DAYANA MENDOZA(KY) AGE: 5yo SEX: Mare Owner: magallanes
Jockey: J Kohlmorgen Odds: $8 (8/1)
Starts: 22:11-5-3 Money: $322,555 Last5 Starts: 25182 Rank: 33
Dist Starts: 8:5-2-1 Best Sp Over Dist: 109 Class Starts: 1:0-0-0
This SEEKING THE GOLD mare is a bit up and down in form. She has raced twice at this track before and both times was ridden by R Bailey who has jumped off her today so he could ride HAACK’S RAY(KY). The owners will be hoping that the change in jockey can bring them luck and hopefully a win, but if you look at her start in the (G2-The Coolmore) 2 starts back you have to think this would be a challenge. Will be interesting to see her running style in this race as I believe she will have no chance to win if she leads, but got to respect the fact she has never missed a place at this distance and a place chance is best.
PP#3: NAME: HARMFUL ENERGY(IRE) AGE: 4yo SEX: Mare Owner: torrential
Jockey: N Hartel Odds: $5 (5/1)
Starts: 17:6-2-4 Money: $250,135 Last5 Starts: 11531 Rank: 141
Dist Starts: 1:1-0-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 113 Class Starts: 2:0-0-0
This DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) mare has opened up equal second favourite and you only have to take a look at her last start to understancd why. Has had only 3 starts at sprints for 2 wins and a third, and both her starts at this class she finished fifth but never to far away. She is making her first appearance at the beautiful Victoria track, but I don’t think that will be an issue for her as her jockey N Hartel knows this track very well. She is in some good form at the moment and will have her backers, and is definately one of the main chances.
PP#4: NAME: HAACK’S RAY(KY) AGE: 4yo SEX: Mare Owner: ottohaack
Jockey: R Bailey Odds: $7 (7/1)
Starts: 16:7-2-0 Money: $189,493 Last5 Starts: 11142 Rank: 107
Dist Starts: 4:3-0-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 112 Class Starts: 1:0-0-0
This GHOSTZAPPER mare must have given her owner a shock at her first start where she finished dead last with a speed of 18. No doubt she has improved a lot since then, and her only start at this track was at this class 2 starts back in the (G2-The Turf Queen ) where she raced mid field but could make any ground and finished fourth. This one is hard to rate as I’m not sure what she’ll do but at this class I see her missing the placings again.
PP#5: NAME: CONTRARIAN INDICATOR(KY) AGE: 5yo SEX: Mare Owner: skunkbarn
Jockey: B Couzens Odds: $5 (5/1)
Starts: 27:9-7-3 Money: $476,110 Last5 Starts: 22411 Rank: 16
Dist Starts: 10:2-2-1 Best Sp Over Dist: 114 Class Starts: First Start
This A.P. INDY mare produced a career best run last start in the (G3-The Charted Well ) over this distance and is stepping up to this class for the first time. Has had a win at allowance company at this track, but did have J Cox on her back that day and today she has least experienced rider on her back. In saying all that I think she is well prepared for this race and have to say she’s a top chance here.
PP#6: NAME: FREEDOM FESTIVAL(KY) AGE: 4yo SEX: Mare Owner: chops27
Jockey: D Evans Odds: $4.5 (9/2)
Starts: 21:12-6-0 Money: $709,730 Last5 Starts: 12122 Rank: 6
Dist Starts: 4:1-2-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 108 Class Starts: 3:1-1-0
This UNBRIDLED’S SONG mare has plenty of races under her belt and has raced twice at this class on this track. Won the (G2-The Coolmore ) 3 starts back and if there was more ground she would have won the (G2-The Sangster). D Evans has hopped back abourd this mare and I’m sure he’ll put her in the right spot to give her every chance to win this. She is the benchmark in this race I believe she will go very close to taking this out and is the big danger to the other equal favourite.
PP#7: NAME: MOTHER’S A MUDDER(KY) AGE: 5yo SEX: Mare Owner: verdugote
Jockey: Bi Clark Odds: $10 (10/1)
Starts: 17:9-1-3 Money: $308,133 Last5 Starts: 15311 Rank: 315
Dist Starts: 1:1-0-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 93 Class Starts: First Start
This VINDICATION mare is in nice form, but this is a big step up in class as she has done most of her racing in allowance company. She has done all her racing at only 2 tracks with some nice results and the owners must be looking for change of scenary to try and take this big race out. Not a bad horse and I wish I could have one like her, but in this field it’s hard to see her finish in the money.
PP#8: NAME: SHE MIGHT BE GIANT(KY) AGE: 5yo SEX: Mare Owner: gradeone
Jockey: D Dowell Odds: $15 (15/1)
Starts: 35:15-2-2 Money: $1,258,680 Last5 Starts: 47039 Rank: 12
Dist Starts: 16:7-2-1 Best Sp Over Dist: 112 Class Starts: 7:2-0-1
This GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) mare just happens to be the equal long shot, but what is interesting is that she is last years winner of this race. It is clear that she is out of form and maybe she might be on the way down, but what a horse she is. Has had 6 starts at this track for 2 wins but you would have to think she would have to produce something special to win this. I think she is on the way down and that’s why I think she won’t do well.
PP#9: NAME: NOSTROVIA(KY) AGE: 5yo SEX: Mare Owner: devil01
Jockey: S Nightingale Odds: $7 (7/1)
Starts: 29:8-6-7 Money: $324,864 Last5 Starts: 37313 Rank: 169
Dist Starts: 3:1-1-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 110 Class Starts: 2:0-0-0
This DYNAFORMER mare is pretty short odds here as she has had 2 starts at this class where she was never close. Has finished third at her 1 start at this track and jockey S Nightingale must have been impressed with her at his first ride on her because he has jumped back abord. I don’t think she’ll win this but could be competative in the home straight.
PP#10: NAME: RYUJIN(KY) AGE: 4yo SEX: Mare Owner: jonsnow
Jockey: C Brim Odds: $15 (15/1)
Starts: 19:8-4-1 Money: $326,775 Last5 Starts: 06871 Rank: 82
Dist Starts: 5:4-1-0 Best Sp Over Dist: 105 Class Starts: 2:0-0-1
This AWESOME AGAIN mare loves to run at this distance and has placed at this class. Hasn’t started the year well with only 1 win out of 4 starts this year and her last start win was at allowance class. First start at this track and to be fair C Brim isn’t in any form, and because of that hard to see her be competative here. Back her at your own risk.
So there we have it that’s the field for 2011, and I’d like to wish all owners, jockeys, punters, and horses all the best and a safe race.
Now for the tips:
My Tips:
PP#1: NAME: PRINCIPAL DANCER(ENG)
PP#6: NAME: FREEDOM FESTIVAL(KY)
PP#3: NAME: HARMFUL ENERGY(IRE)