Saturday’s racing in the San Domenico Stakes and the Vain Stakes, among others, unearthed a few more runners that we should keep an eye on this Spring.
San Domenico Stakes
A promising sign for the three-year-old colts here that they dominated the two fillies in the race (a turnaround from the autumn), and the time was also superior to the other 1100m race contested by older horses (Beckon). Not only overall, but 600m sectionals too.
That is quite significant because the first 500m was run at a suicidal pace and normally that would mean that the last half of the race would be quite slow. I think the three place-getters are worth following Nostradamus, Washington Heights and Law (remembering he did carry one kilogram more than the other two Colts).
Canterbury Hurlstone RSL
This ended up being a sit and sprint race with on pacers very much suited, as indicated by a last 600m sectional of 33.83 which is pretty quick for a 1400m race. That made it impossible for anything win from midfield or the back, so I looked for horses that did run on well. The two I have earmarked here are Hooked and Lucky Chappy.
Hooked was the better run of the two horses because he did come wide at the 600m and even wider in the straight. He let down with an impressive sprint about the 300m mark, and probably just peaked a bit on his run the last 50m. A solid effort first up for a Derby place-getter last autumn.
Lucky Chappy was similarly placed in the run, but had a more economical run to the turn. He didn’t get a clear run at them in the straight but was really coming home late, actually cutting the margin significantly between himself and Hooked.
He was Gelded during his spell and Waller rarely has them peaking first up these days. This horse was Group 3 placed as a three-year-old in North America so I’d be expecting him to makes some sort of an impact this spring.
He is by champion sire High Chaparral and the breed rarely win past 2400m. This one isn’t a big horse and his optimum distance appears to be 2000m.
Quezette Stakes
My prediction was all wrong that the Fillies would run faster time than the Colts in the Vain Stakes, going on the autumn dominance of the fairer sex. Off a hot pace the race was largely set up for a backmarker.
Sabatini was that horse, but she really was the only one that did make up a lot of ground so that is worth taking into account, and she made a lot of it in the last 200m. The only thing is she may have been flattered a little bit given it was her third run this preparation, and the vast majority of these were resuming. Looking at her breeding she might be just a pure sprinter, but it is hard to label her as just that on this effort.
The pace was always going to slick in this race and that did Royal Snitzel few favours the last 50m or so. She is a good filly and a race like the Oakleigh Plate at this course and distance in the autumn would be perfect.
Novel Dancer was very game in third place because she didn’t see the rail throughout. It was almost impossible for her to win given the hot speed she was chasing with her run in transit. She was well supported in the betting ring and an even wetter track would have suited her more, perhaps taking the sting out of the speed. A better barrier next time and a wetter track would be ideal.
London Lolly was the disappointing runner but perhaps deserves to be forgiven. According to trainer Wayne Hawkes pre-race she was uncharacteristically ‘bouncy’ and he showed some concern at that. She possibly raced a bit ‘fresh’, and might be better for the run fitness wise.
She made a little bit of ground late, but couldn’t sprint at the top of the straight when required. Quite possible she will be better off next start at 1200m. She is 2/2 at that trip and 0/3 below it so take note.
One unlucky runner here was Lexgetreddy. It’s always a little dangerous black booking off this type of unlucky run , but it appeared she had plenty to give in the straight and a pity she ended up “all dressed up with nowhere to go”. I think she could have troubled third place had she got clear. Almost certain she will be at a value quote next start so she might be worth consideration.
Vain Stakes
All honours to the winner here Get The Nod. He was four wide from the 600m and even wider in the straight, not entitled to win, but he did with some ease. Trainer Lloyd Kennewell says he is the best horse he has ever had and has known that for some time.
The time was comfortably superior to the fillies in the Quezette both overall and 600m sectionally, a promising sign for the male three-year-olds this spring.
Zululand was the unlucky runner, unable to gain clear passage in the straight and the 1100m was well shy of his best distance. I like the way he picked up very late in the race after being checked, having to come around horses at about the 100m mark.
PB Lawrence Stakes
Not overly impressed with what I saw here and given the time was inferior, overall and sectionals to the BM90 race won by Infinite Energy, I’m not sure we can say anything out of this can win a Group 1 race this spring given that.
Foreteller could arguably have won had Hugh Bowman not switched him back inside of horses half way down the straight. He was angled to make a run outside of horses at that point but Puissance De Lune ranged up on his outside momentarily. Bowman made a split second decision to change path at that point, maybe thinking PDL had too much momentum on him, and that he couldn’t beat that horse (coming inside of it at that point).
That didn’t end up being the case, so it was a bad error of judgement for mine, and Foreteller lost its winning chance. He did finish off quite well the last 100m. In his last two preparations he has improved quite a bit on his first up effort, so he could go close next start.
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