Friday Night Previews
Remarkably, Texas Moonshine goes for his fourth win of the season, while Hastings' Racing Club members will be out in force to watch their beloved Finding Ways attempt the hat-trick
This may be a good opportunity for ANDALEIGH, who has missed the board just once in six career starts and lines-up here after seeing only the distant backside of Curlin Rocks last time — although he’s not the only one taking some class relief in what is a competitive heat. MR MORRIS got stuck in the gate in his season debut last month. However, he’s worked well since and probably wouldn’t need to be as good as his multiple Stakes-winning sister, Floral, to take this. RICK’S DANCER’s second-place finish to Lucky Cowboy last month received a boost when the winner repeated the trick next time and, although stepping up a little in class and representing new connections after being claimed, shouldn’t be far away.
BUTTONWOOD TREE relished the step up in distance as much as the drop in class when sauntering to victory last month. He had his rivals ‘at it’ a long way from home that day and a repeat of that performance will see him hard to handle, even though he steps back up slightly in grade. A four-time winner last season, STAY FANTASTIC should have blown away any winter cobwebs with a fine third behind Tiz Vicious on his season debut last month. He steps up to his preferred distance here and he won’t be far away. This looks like more manageable fayre for STAR ENTRY, who had it all to do against Smart Lad and co last time. He hasn’t run much at a mile-and-sixteenth, but was third at the distance in Allowance company on his final outing of 2023. That might be good enough.
STANFORD BAY makes his Hastings’ debut after being imported from California and, while this is his first race for more than a year and he’s certainly entitled to need it, clearly has some zippy form that would make him a serious threat if replicated on the East Van oval. SHARPZAN takes a marginal drop in class and, with several ‘handy’ types in the line-up, may be suited by the way the race unfolds. JERSEY’S IMAGE returns to the level he won at comfortably two starts ago and a repeat of that would make him a serious candidate, while the redoubtable QUAGMIRE will again ensure any upstarts first need to fight their way past him. And that is never easy.
DIPLOMATIC came out on the wrong side of a rough stretch battle with the winner last time and connections can count themselves unfortunate that they are back in maiden company with their charge. She renews rivalry with E Z TONIGHT and STILETTOS ONLY, both of whom were rallying late, and there’s probably not too much between the three. DUKE GIRLS makes her Hastings debut following a winter campaign at Turf Paradise and, despite running a clunker last time out, would be major player in this company on much of her previous form. A relatively pricey graduate of BC’s annual CTHS yearlings sale a few years ago, NOZOMI is making her belated racing debut. She’s been working well in the mornings and, whateever she achieves today, is likley to improve for the experience.
MERRY BLUE makes her Hastings debut but should be fit enough after a campaign at Golden Gate and, most recently, Emerald Downs. She wasn’t beaten far last time and, as long she adapts to Hastings’ unique demands, should be thereabouts come business time. FLYING MISS is one of three runners from the irrepressible Steve Henson barn. She goes for a second consecutive victory after breaking her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion last month and there may be a little more to come at this level from the lightly-raced daughter of Finality. BC CHRISTIE had PETERSON LANDING a neck behind when they met last month and makes her her first appearance for new connections since being claimed following her win.
FINDING WAYS goes for a hat-trick of wins here, although this represents the toughest challenge he’s faced so far and he may not have everything his own way. Last season’s Ross McLeod winner LUCKY FORCE began his ’24 campaign with a win before finding the air a bit thin when stepped up last time. This optional allowance contest looks well within his grasp. Barn-mate PURSUE finished just ahead of SET TO SHINE when they clashed three weeks ago and both have solid claims again this evening. The magnificent BOLD ARCH is entitled to need the race after his winter break although, if he’s anywhere near his ‘A’ game, will make sure everyone else knows they’ve been in a race.
Remarkably, TEXAS MOONSHINE goes for a fourth consecutive win this season (and fifth overall) and, while this represents a small step-up the class ladder, he may not be done yet. Barn-mate GOOD BYE PUTIN couldn’t land a blow behind Buttonwood Tree and SOMTHING ELUSIVE last time but had FAMILY BIZ and subsequent winner Parker Point behind when they met over this distance last October and will have a major say in where the purse goes here. MY COLLEGE FUND was mixing it in better company than this last year and, while this is his first outing since last July, also represents the flying Henson barn and shouldn’t be overlooked.
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The Final Days of Golden Gate
