What a pleasure it has been to write the preview for the prestigious world cup event for open 3yo+ over 16 furlongs. Fine weather and a firm track will greet this super group of survivors going for World Cup glory, each representing their team from the 3 corners of the round globe.<\/FONT><\/P> The favourite representing the FENZA team will be the mighty front running Director<\/STRONG>, who has had the wood over those that he’s come up against so far this year. The rest of the FENZA team consists of a promising, but very lightly raced 3yo, a horse that can’t win a maiden and a horse currently elligible to go in a $4k starter allowance.<\/FONT><\/P> The other teams are much more even, but none have been able to get by the FENZA Director<\/STRONG>. Anything can happen over such a long journey, so who can predict the outcome of this race, and the ultimate winner to be crowned the world champ turf survivor for 2007?<\/FONT><\/P> PP 1 Europe\/Scandinavia Team<\/FONT><\/P> 6\/1 SPANISH HEART<\/STRONG> ID# 14985 M Russell ( 607 – 146 – 141 – 105 – 24% )<\/FONT><\/P> noia <\/EM>4 Year Old Colt (SPANISH STEPS x SEA OF SECRETS x SEATTLE SLEW)<\/FONT><\/P> After starting off his career as a dirt sprinter with little success, he was sold off to the ezmoney<\/EM> stables where he was switched to turf for the start of his 3yo campaign. Despite seeing some improvement, he was risked in a $5k claimer where he was snatched up by his current trainer, noia<\/EM>, part of the Fernando Empire. He relished his new camp and the longer ground he was given, and after breaking his maiden in his previous stable, he was raced in some starter allowances where he performed very well – finishing top 2 in his first 7 starts for his current trainer, and being elevated to listed stakes. After his second big win over 13 furlongs, he was tried over the longest distance in the sim, but faded badly for a rare fail. Brought back in distance he was more successful, and his only other try at this journey saw him tire in the stretch to run a weakening third in a stakes field of 5. He is a game on-pace runner who seems to be a 13-14 furlong specialist. Gives the longer trip another shot here, and at almost 5 years old, if he’s ever going to get the full trip it should be here. Looks well placed and is a Grade III winner this year.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 2 FENZA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 99\/1 EMPIRE STARTER(ENG)<\/STRONG> ID# 9856 E Sharp ( 656 – 166 – 116 – 97 – 25% )<\/FONT><\/P> snappa <\/EM>3 Year Old Colt (RAINBOW QUEST x RIVER OF KINGS(IRE) x BLAKENEY(GB))<\/FONT><\/P> Big odds for this lightly raced 3yo, facing an almighty test here after only going around for 3 career starts. Shows much promise though after starting off with a shocker on the dirt, he was quickly sent to the grass and blitzed a MSW field over 10 furlongs. Most recently he moved up in distance to the 12 furlongs and easily accounted for a NW2L Allowance by 4 1\/4 lengths. Can’t fault two most recent runs, but is a massive query in class and distance categories. Made a move at the halfway mark last time and came from over 12 lengths behind the pace setter. Game he-mare won 2 stakes over 10 furlongs, and Rainbow Quest should help him get some extra ground. Would be a huge upset if he was able to get over the top of this classy field in just his fourth start at 99\/1.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 3 FENZA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 27\/1 CROWN HUNTER<\/STRONG> ID# 111398 S L Ledwith ( 605 – 126 – 103 – 90 – 21% )<\/FONT><\/P> dowelly3<\/EM> 4 Year Old Colt (JADE HUNTER x THEATRICAL(IRE) x ROBERTO)<\/FONT><\/P> The Hunter Valley stables sends this NW1X class stayer with a current $4k claim tag out against a Grade I field where he is most likely going to struggle. He managed to string a hatrick of wins together for first trainer, sexinalimo<\/EM>, before being claimed early this year. Has changed stables again since then and now finds himself running for dowelly3<\/EM>, where he has been sent out over a little more ground, winning over this distance and then track in successive starts which must surely give him some hope. Has won 6 races in the last year, so has his fair share of glory, but would need to improve a great deal to be able to go with this slick field.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 4 Europe\/Scandinavia Team<\/FONT><\/P> 5\/1 MINE D’INVERNE<\/STRONG> ID# 94979 B F Abman ( 630 – 148 – 108 – 74 – 23% )<\/FONT><\/P> umea<\/EM> 5 Year Old Horse (MINESHAFT x DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GB) x A.P. INDY)<\/FONT><\/P> Having been switched for a try at dirt in his last 2 starts, it’s back to his beloved green surface here for a tilt at the world championship title. Has a win over Band of Budas<\/STRONG> to his credit earlier this year over this trip, when he charged home and exploded away in the stretch to score a 5 1\/4 length win. Followed it up with a Grade I victory over 14 furlongs in the Big Turf Race, featuring three quarters of the NA\/SA team in Band of Budas<\/STRONG>, Shacklebolt<\/STRONG> and Surgeon Tubes<\/STRONG>. Was placed in his most recent try at this distance and surface, but did not quite finish off the race with his usual burst on the off-track. Looks to have had many of this field’s measure this year, and the change back to turf should spark him up even more. Will be storming home and appears to be one of the best chances.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 5 NA\/SA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 6\/1 SILENCERS(KY)<\/STRONG> ID# 124353 P Wright ( 640 – 182 – 141 – 100 – 28% )<\/FONT><\/P> super1<\/EM> 3 Year Old Colt (KINGMAMBO x DANEHILL x PLEASANT COLONY)<\/FONT><\/P> Perfectly bred for a race such as this, the super<\/EM> team has been running this fellow in various derbys around the globe, racking up a second place in the prestigious Sydney Derby and successive 4th placings in the Derby de English and Upper California Derby respectively. Last start he went out against the older horses for the first time and relished the challenge, with a breakthrough stakes win in the long route division. Will be set a further tough ask to go around in this class over an extra 4 furlongs, but he appears to be hitting his prime now and shouldn’t have to start his run too early as he tends to prefer to take a midfield running position. Unproven at the class and distance, but looks a likely type and may threaten at some stage.<\/FONT><\/P> PP6 FENZA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 48\/1 DUR FRED(IRE)<\/STRONG> ID# 135535 P Haynes ( 623 – 157 – 119 – 90 – 25% )<\/FONT><\/P> a2912<\/EM> 3 Year Old Colt (RAKTI (GB) x STRAWBERRY ROAD(AUS) x CARO(IRE))<\/FONT><\/P> Three successive seconds at his last three starts has prevented this maiden from breaking through for his debut trip to the winner’s circle. In a shock move, the FENZA group has decided he is in in their top 4 to represent them in the world cup, showing either a lack of depth, a lack of brain power or maybe a secret weapon?\u00a0\u00a0Touted as the world’s greatest maiden, he is the ultimate loser according to crazy Australian trainer and team captain, magoo2912<\/EM>. It will need to be a crazy sort of race if this bizarre runner with a very appropriate name is able to show up and beat this field. Word has it that magoo<\/EM> is hoping for another second place here in an attempt to get a photo on his profile page without having a win. Sounds like a weird challenge to most, but still something to aim for I suppose. Went a career best 90 SP last time out over 12 furlongs, and will need to show a lot of improvement if he is able to challenge all but one of these and finish in second place again. Morning line has him showing 48\/1 for the win, but is much shorter for the place!<\/FONT><\/P> PP 7 NA\/SA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 7\/1 SURGEON TUBES<\/STRONG> ID# 26731 A Darling ( 526 – 96 – 83 – 82 – 18% )<\/FONT><\/P> squirrel4<\/EM> 6 Year Old Horse (ROUSILLON x BE MY GUEST x NEVER SO BOLD(IRE))<\/FONT><\/P> This veteran, and winner of over $1.2 M has been getting around in top class events this year and has a Grade I third placing to his name over this distance in May. Put on 5 stakes wins in a row for the squirrel<\/EM> stables when he crossed over at the end of last year, but hasn’t quite been able to find that sort of form since then. He finished 26 1\/2 lengths from the winner last time out over 12 furlongs when at the rear of a field of 4. Has class and can threaten this group if he can return to his best, and may appreciate the extra ground. Went an SP 105 only 3 starts ago when 4th in this year’s Smackdown so has the ability to surprise with a big run when it counts but does face the top 3 of the Iago’s Bred to Stay Trophy which he struggled to make an impact in, finishing a disappointing 7th. <\/FONT><\/P> PP 8 NA\/SA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 5\/1 BAND OF BUDAS<\/STRONG> ID# 26169 F Gossett ( 631 – 160 – 118 – 80 – 25% )<\/FONT><\/P> chop<\/EM> 6 Year Old Horse (TRIBAL RULE x AFFIRMED x NATIVE DANCER)<\/FONT><\/P> A survivor distance specialist with over $2.7 M in the bank, he seems to just keep running into one that outlasts him this year, racking up 6 seconds and just 1 win so far for 2007. Lines up here for his 50th start, and is coming off a career best equalling SP 107, when he came from the clouds to miss by a nose on the wire behind Director<\/STRONG>. Ranked in the top 5 in the long route division on turf but once again runs into two of his regular foes from this year here. His only win of the season was a Grade I over this distance, when he managed to time his run to a tee to score by 3 3\/4 lengths. Will have the leaders looking over their shoulders for the whole length of the stretch as it is inevitable he will be storming home, but it will take a perfect ride again to get him home in the lead at the line. Cannot underestimate him, as he is a champ.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 9 Europe\/Scandinavia Team<\/FONT><\/P> 33\/1 NASU WITH WINGS(GB)<\/STRONG> ID# 125229 M Day ( 591 – 113 – 97 – 90 – 19% )<\/FONT><\/P> racelord <\/EM>3 Year Old Colt (DIESIS(GB) x IN THE WINGS(GB) x ANGLE LIGHT)<\/FONT><\/P> Another 3yo who lines up against the older horses and looks to be out of his depth, having competed against a NW2L allowance field last time out for an impressive win over this distance. His dam was a multiple stakes winner over 13 furlongs, so he has a good pedigree for an event like this, but only broke his maiden in May, and his time was about 3 seconds slower than the favourites over this distance last start. Shows promise for his 4yo season, and the change in tactics to go to the lead certainly paid dividends for his second win. Is entitled to be long odds here, but watch for him in the future.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 10 Europe\/Scandinavia Team<\/FONT><\/P> 5\/1 GOLD DOORS<\/STRONG> ID# 23573 J Stivers ( 650 – 181 – 105 – 99 – 28% )<\/FONT><\/P> crowbar<\/EM> 4 Year Old Colt (TOUCH GOLD x ONCE WILD x STAGE DOOR JOHNNY)<\/FONT><\/P> Charged home late trailing Band of Budas<\/STRONG> last start but also found the front runner, Director<\/STRONG>, too good. His previous run was a total white wash over this distance when he cruised home to win by almost 4 lengths. Looks like he could be a late bloomer and is just hitting his best form now, coming off a career best SP of 104. Will need to be at his absolute best to turn the tables on Director<\/STRONG> who has also had his measure on another occasion this year over 12 furlongs. Hasn’t missed the board since July last year, and has to rate amongst the best chances here again.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 11 FENZA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 9\/2 DIRECTOR<\/STRONG> ID# 120643 K Ledwith ( 652 – 197 – 121 – 99 – 30% )<\/FONT><\/P> snappa4 <\/EM>4 Year Old Colt (EMPIRE MAKER x THEATRICAL(IRE) x NIJINSKY II)<\/FONT><\/P> The morning line favourite and deservedly so, this monster has been beating the same rivals he faces here for most of this season. His only weakness is his ability to throw out the odd clunker, where he fails miserably and finishes well back. Two starts ago he looked a big chance to take out the Smackdown III 12 furlong race, but he failed to reach the lead and faded throughout for a 26 1\/4 length defeat. Last time he had no challenge for the lead and opened up a commanding break of over 11 lengths before the stretch, and managed to outlast the charging Band of Budas by the narrowest of margins. The extra distance should not pose a problem, as it should mean he is able to get further in front. Looks the one to beat again.<\/FONT><\/P> PP 12 NA\/SA Team<\/FONT><\/P> 8\/1 SHACKLEBOLT<\/STRONG> ID# 111912 W McClendon ( 616 – 154 – 118 – 78 – 25% )<\/FONT><\/P> lenny17<\/EM> 4 Year Old Colt (JOHANNESBURG x KINGMAMBO x HIS MAJESTY)<\/FONT><\/P> Once again, this runner comes through the same race as several of these, the Iago’s Bred To Stay Trophy last time out, in which he finished a gallant 5th. In what turned out to be a career best SP, he got a little too far out of his ground and wasn’t able to make up enough to figure in the finish. His dam was retired a maiden after only 4 starts, but despite this, he’s been placed in the Adelaide Derby as a 3yo, and broke through for his first stakes win over the 2 mile journey to finish last year. 2 starts ago he picked up his second stakes win, with a late charge over 13 furlongs where he was far too good, running away to breeze home by 3. Hasn’t been able to step up to Graded level and really threaten, but after going his best ever speed last time, he looks like he could be peaking and can’t be ruled out.<\/FONT><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Director takes on all comers including champions and errrr, maidens in Texas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":219,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4778\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}