For the glory of sport, the honor of our
teams, and the power of the turf
"As they raced past the winning post for the first time in the
Caulfield Cup of 1997 you knew there was already one horse who
would do it tough, Might And Power. Along the back straight when
he was still bowling along in front and they were still having a
crack at him, you knew your first impressions were right. And
when he was still pounding the ground with that crushing gallop
around the side of the track, you started looking back in the
field for the real stayers who were waiting patiently to swoop on
the tearaway. On the turn they came at him. The best 2400-metre
handicappers in Australasia had him in their sights and were
getting set to mow him down. Like hell."
"At the very point where Might And Power should have fainted, he
accelerated and became a champion. The feisty gelding with the
pounding stride won the Caulfield Cup by a staggering 7.5 lengths
in the time of 2:26.2. Faster than Tulloch. Chasing him up the
straight was Doriemus, the Cup winner two years earlier and
fourth in 1996, and Catalan Opening, who later in the season won the
Hong Kong Bowl and the Doncaster Handicap. And that was only the
start. Seventeen days later, as if to prove it was no fluke, he
repeated the effort in the Melbourne Cup. He didn't win quite so
convincingly, but it was just as spectacular: roaring along,
eyes wild, teeth bared and almost growling at anything that drew
alongside."
Courtesy of Mike Hedge, Class Racehorses Australia and New
Zealand, Vol 15 pp 227
Welcome to Hong Kong for a great race in honor of a true
champion, the seven time Group One winner untouchable at the 12f of
todays Classic, Might And Power. A small but select group of
thirteen stayers from around the sim globe come together here all
ready to run the race of their life. The real prize, not the
$500,000 in stakes, but a place in equinics immortality. Let's take a
look at the field...
Race ID:1299.6012
Race #
12
-- Owner Restricted
Grade I
A mile and one half
Firm Turf
$500,000
All horses, 4 years old and up -- RESTRICTED TO
PARTICULAR OWNERS
|
The pace looks to be solid and every horse should have it's
chance if good enough no matter of positions in running. Out of the
gates it looks to be none other than last year's G1 Derby De
English winner and Ark De Triumph placegetter Judge
Zach(jenniek, Team Independent Unity) heading to the front. This has
proven to be his best distance and he's a big danger to wire this
field if allowed to slip away.
Not too far away up in the leading bunch should be the race
favourite Sarahs Blues(fernando, ASR). This the homebred
Polish Patriot colt's first try up at 12f but his two efforts at 11f
have been outstanding posting a 106SP three starts back when
easily winning at ungraded stakes level, and a 111SP when second at
G3 level. Step up in class again but one of the many dangers.
Not too many horses get within a length of Cecil Roo over 12f
but September Matt(dogfarm, NWRC) is one of those select
few, running second to the great mare in last years Ark De
Triumph. A G1 winner over this trip in Ontario, he looks to be ready to
run a big race.
Looking back a few lengths now we see a stack of quality
stalkers, one of which will be For Glory And Fame(dannejaka,
Viking Racing). The homebred son of Trempolino has hit form at the
right time with a G1 win three back and a good second in a
strong form race last time. The trip looks good for him and he's in
with a solid chance.
On his day I think His Knees might just be the fastest
horse in this field, the Eclipse Stakes winner is capable of
pulling out huge SP's when in full flight. From back in the stalking
bunch he's a solid chance stepping up from an easy win in an
ungraded stakes last time out.
Coming in to this off some very soft stakes wins is one of the
top 3yo colts from last year Green Bow(mano2, Vermont).
Six runs at this trip (turf) have resulted in four wins, one a G1,
and two seconds including the runners up cheque in the ASR
Derby. Primed for this and watch for a big run today.
From the mighty NSW Turf Club comes Abdul En La
Future(cream, NSW). A veteran of 53 starts, he always turns in a solid
performance but is up to his neck in quality horses here who have
had the wood on him in the past. Great effort just to make it
here and he will give everything which is all that can be asked.
Another from down-under, this time from the fine folks at
Queenland comes Exeter Watch(lordpercy, Queensland). The 64/1
tells the story really, he shows promise but faces a huge class
rise. Hopefully he can rise to the occasion and put in a big
race.
Rounding out the stalkers is Prince Bill(theorchard,
Terrapin) who looks to be wanting this distance. Facing a stiff
class rise and will have to lift his SP's a fair bit to feature in
this. Will win races in the future but maybe not today.
Back towards the tail here the best of the closers looks to be
the lightly raced but very promising Dynamic
Character(dixieracer, EWC). The third homebred in the race, this one by
Theatrical shows all the signs of wanting this distance. First shot
at graded stakes but at 25/1 I think he could be the knockout
horse.
Further back we come to a couple of veterans still competing at
the top level the first of which is the 8yo St.
Defiant(prppanther, SERA). Another who always tries his heart out but
looks in over his head here. Won't be too far away after a fair run
last time but looks a rough chance for the bronze at best I
think.
Next we come to the 10yo son of Sadler's Wells Squire
Flirt(swale007, Nexis). Despite being a 10yo he's only lightly
raced and is going well in easier class, trip is no worries and
might just be suited by the extra pace up front. Look for him to get
home late at nice odds.
Lastly we come to the Minnesota representative Father
Reason(highbreed, Minnesota) who looks to be out of his distance
range here which you might expect being by Dayjur. Excellent
effort to get here but can't see him featuring today.
What a field!!! Making selections here is nearly impossible so
i'll take five shots and still might miss :) Best of luck to all
trainers in all the races this weekend and we shall see you at
the equinics party afterwards.
SELECTIONS: 12-5-13-7-2
Wags
