Big Boys Butt Heads Again
Brilliant Bold Arch and former Canadian Derby winner Explode clash again on Sunday as they step up in distance for a valuable allowance contest
Not an easy opener to sort out. Dakati’s experiment at a mile-and-sixteenth didn’t go as planned last time and he may appreciate the return to this distance. Ring of Kerry closed out last season with a hat-trick of wins and, although his two runs so far don’t inspre too much confidence, he would be a big threat if back to his best. Jack’s Reign ran well on his reappearance and the same goes for EUROPEAN, who has a little class on his day.
Juvee Too bids for a hat-trick following two strong wins already this term. This represents a step up in class for the sprinter, however. Bold as Brass makes his seasonal reappearance but will give them all plenty to think about if reproducing his penultimate run last term, while Calamazeus’s last effort fell victim to a front-end duel and can be forgiven. LUCKY LUKE, meanwhile, beat Foot Soldier first time out this season and is dropping back down after disappointing last time.
ITSMYDAY and Wisely Played got in each other’s way, losing vital ground on the clubhouse turn, in the Jack Diamond Maturity last month and there’s seems to be little between them. Wisely Played left that run behind when third to Bakken Overdrive last time out with All Liquord Up, Greytogo and He’s a Saint behind him. Faulkner makes his racecourse debut but has worked well in the mornings and will be interesting to watch.
Fort Langley won in style last time out, with Slew’s Da Boss 4 ½-lengths behind and, although this represents a step up in class, he could still go close. Slew’s Da Boss franked the form by winning next time, beating My College Fund in the process. The latter was close enough to suggest the season debut will help close the gap again here. ARTISTIC JEWLER, meanwhile, finished fourth behind We B Three last time and any repetition of that form would make the mare difficult to beat. Parker Point looks the best of the rest and is on a hat-trick after winning on his last start in 2021 and his first race back this year.
A fascinating heat, as some big Hastings names clash in this $26k Allowance contest. BOLD ARCH put 5½ lengths on At Attention in last season’s CTHS Stakes on what was the only occasion the speedster has taken on the mile-and-sixteenth. A repeat of that puts him close to the winner’s circle. Former Canadian Derby hero Explode should appreciate this step up in distance and his third behind Bold Arch on his sole run this term gives him every chance here. Stay Fantastic wasn’t beaten far when fourth in the valuable George Royal Stakes earlier this month, while Big Union’s win over Prince Cairo last time brings him into contention.
Age refuses to wither Aditya, as his head-bob win over Khaiky’s Command and Bills Smokn Bullet last time demonstrated, and the 10yo will no doubt make his presence felt again. Little Groot gave way only late in proceedings last time, while Turf Paradise import ZERO DOWN is dropping marginally in class after chasing home Fort Langley and Coulterberry last month. Last time winner Always a Knight, meanwhile, has hit the board in 14 of his 19 starts.
Another devilishly complicated puzzle to bring down the curtain, with any of these experienced street fighters capable of landing the spoils. TIZ MEOW’s had today’s opponent Appellant behind him when losing out to Wise Market by a nose last time and can go close, while You Don’t Own Me’s fourth behind Bluegrass Angus on opening weekend puts him in the frame. A repeat of Quagmire’s second to Master Ewen brings him into contention, while stalking Klondike Gentleman finished with a late flourish on both his starts this year and could go one better here if he doesn’t lose touch early.
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