Closing Day Previews
With nine races, including two $50,000 contests for juveniles, as well as the little matter of trainers' and owners' titles still to be decided, closing day at Hastings promises to be a cracker
If AROLLERCOASTERRIDE reproduces either of his most recent efforts, when beaten narrowly both times in Stakes company, he should win. PAY MY WAY was fourth behind the favourite in the BC Premiers’ but doing his best work late, while both Y VEE R and PRINCE CAIRO ran well enough behind impressive Boitano last time to suggest they can play a hand in today’s finish.
DON WITH THE WIND made short work of his rivals last time, leading all the way and drawing off to win by more than 5 lengths. He seems to be a better proposition over the 8 1/2-furlong course and may have a little improvement to come. GUNS N AMMO has shown admirable consistency of late and had Don With The Wind behind him when winning three starts ago, while MR QUALITY was just ahead of Guns N Ammo last time when they chased home Klondike Gentleman. CALAMAZEUS is another who rarely puts in a below-par effort and is one for the list.
QUAGMIRE is sitting on a hat-trick of consecutive wins here following two nice victories over today’s rivals RING OF KERRY and WISE MARKET. KHAIKY’S COMMAND has missed the board just once all season and beat Quagmire back in July, while JERSEY LILLIE makes a quick return following a win over Hollywood Mistress last weekend. If unaffected by the quick turnaround, she can go close again.
The well-bred SUNBIRD made a winning debut back in August and is worthy of respect here despite his relative inexperience. The step up in distance shouldn’t be a problem. LEGACY SQUARE will be a popular favourite and is clearly among the best of his generation at Hastings after three wins and a second-place finish in his four starts, including a seven-length romp in the Jack Diamond Stakes earlier this month. ASKMENOQUESTIONS has imporoved in each of his three runs and will need to do so again to feature, but is another who may appreciate the increase in yardage as the youngsters stretch out to 8 1/2 furlongs.
NEIGHNEIGH made an eye-catching debut, beating subsequent winner Addendum by 3 lengths recently and any improvement should put her in the mix here. AIR FORCE’s narrow win over ABOVE AVERAGE and HIGHER IMAGE make her a serious contender while ARUNDEL CASTLE was flying at the finish in both her previous starts and may go close again now she has a bit more experience.
The lightly-campaigned STRIKING VALUE caught the eye when second to Anaamy on just her third career start. The distance should be a benefit, even if the post position isn’t, and she can play a leading role. MISS THE HYPE drops significantly in class but is not easy to weigh up. Her second to Amanda back in June would be good enough to win this but she has lost her way a little of late, albeit in tougher company than she takes on here. SHOWMAN has also run well in tougher company without winning and should be a factor.
The consistent OSTRACIZE had JUST MAKE BELIEVE, ICE BREAKER, ARCH PRINCE and SLEW’S DA BOSS behind her when winning last time and it’s hard to see those positions being reversed here. KANDY KATIE ran well to finish third last time following a lengthy lay-off and she could be closer today, while IRISH LUNA was just a length behind Ostracize the last time she took on the 8 1/2 furlongs and may appeal to value hunters.
DON W has been bashing his head against tougher rivals than he meets here and should appreciate the class relief although, along with BAKLANE, will have plenty to do from an outside gate. ROSE OF TEXAS is another who has been highly-tried this season and a repetition of her dead-heat second to Wandalita in August would put her firmly in the mix. This also represents a marginally less daunting task for NOTHINGBUTSUNSHINE, who ran well enough last time to suggest she is a contender at this level. GWEN has hit the board in all bar her seasonal debut this year and she should be thereabouts again.
Bettors have hopefully kept the trusty dart well oiled and in good working condition for this wide-open season finale. This represents a marginal drop in class for FOOT SOLDIER, who chased home Baklane last time and need only repeat that effort to be a central player. Hastings debutante EL FANTASMA isn’t easy to weigh up but presumably a second-place finish in the Grand Prairie Derby two starts ago make him a contender at this level. ANAAMY responded to the small class relief last time to win, returns at the same class today and should be in the shake-up.
Mike and Drew’s Picks
