Races

It Pays To Follow

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

Wednesday, October 9 @ Bunbury

Race 3 – PATRON EXPRESS

The half-brother to Admiration Express caught the eye at his most recent trial before stepping out on debut last week and wasted little time making an impression. Snagged by Lucy Warwick early from a high draw, PATRON EXPRESS found himself at the tail of field and on the fence in a smart piece of riding. Whilst the rail was advantageous, Lucy was required to wait until the gaps appeared before switching across heels and powering to the line. The three-year-old went under by just over one length, but powered through the line to suggest he will be breaking his maiden status soon.

Race 4 – HEZ GOT THE SAFE

This bloke is absolutely flying. There’s no two ways about it. Narrowly beaten fresh courtesy of a gun William Pike steer, he broke through second-up at Bunbury, making ground from worse than midfield to down Pond Master. There haven’t been many horses able to do that and while he was unsuccessful in attempting the same feat last week, the runner-up placing to the well-backed STORYVILLE in a hot C1 1200m was terrific. HEZ GOT THE SAFE launched down the middle of the track (not where you want to be) and was still able to comfortably clock the fastest last 600m of the race.

Saturday, October 12 @ Ascot

Race 6 – WANGO AWARD

The normal racing pattern of this mare might not be conducive to sustained success at Ascot. However, she continues to race extremely well. On face value, it looked like she was given windburn by DIAMOND SCENE on the weekend. She probably was. But DIAMOND SCENE had the momentum to her outside and was approaching full speed when Luke Campbell was trying to get her into open air. WANGO AWARD picked up (yes, the bird had flown) over the final 100m and was really good, continuing what has been another solid campaign from the now five-year-old. She was certainly one of several hard-luck stories in this race.

Race 7 – WUBIN GOLD

This race featured so many horses who were held up at crucial stages in the straight, so identifying a horse who was out in clear air upon straightening might raise an eyebrow or two. Considering WUBIN GOLD, first-up off one trial after more than six months away from the track, was second last in the field of 16 at the 400m, she needs a special mention. In running 21.86sec for her final 400m (the fastest of the race), she was able to get past ESPRIT GARCON in the final stages. It was everything and more trainer Colin Webster could have hoped for in her return.

Race 8 – WEST STAR, REPOSSESSION and MADHI GIRL

It probably doesn’t stop there. A very sedate tempo set out in front by Holly Watson on GOLDEN VALE with William Pike to her outside aboard SINFUL LIVING, worked against a number of runners, including WEST STAR, who launched late to grab second in an effort that will almost certainly see him installed favourite for the Listed Belgravia Stakes later this month. REPOSSESSION was also inconvenienced, as was the Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up MADHI GIRL. A tough watch for many connections, I would have thought.

Race 9 – AMBER GLIDE

The Ross Price-trained mare has always had a touch of class. That much is evidenced by her victory in last year’s Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) and then going on to place in the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) two starts later. Over what promised to be an unsuitable 1000m on the weekend, AMBER GLIDE stomped home from the tail of the field, peeling off a slick fraction in the process (32.58sec if you don’t mind) to fill third behind ALMIGHTY CLASS and TOROPA. You would think the mares’ series is again in the sights of her trainer and connections and if Saturday is any guide, she is poised to elevate even further this time in.

Sunday, October 13 @ Geraldton

RACE 6 – SURE NO SOMETHING

The lightly-raced six-year-old gelding stepped out for the first time in 374 days on Sunday. He was snagged to the back of the Ladies Day Sprint field from a wide gate before making his run down the middle of the track. He finished third, but the Ron Cowl galloper’s final 600m of 34.37sec was the fastest of the race. It looks like it’ll be strong form for the Crayfish Coast with the exciting FFIRST BEACH winning and MIA GUSTO, who boasts metropolitan formlines around KEEP ATTACKING and BONDI PLUNGE, second.




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