Keeping the Faith
The Hastings Racing Club will be out in force on Sunday with two runners, including the long-awaited debut of Look At My Socks, as things return to normal following an epic BC Cup weekend
Runners, Riders and Race Previews — Sunday August 7
Jersey Lillie had Hollywood Mistress behind her last time, but there appears little between the two and they should again play a major role. This represents a small step up in grade for Sungold Beauty, although she rallied well to beat Koala in July to bag her second win of the season and is not without a chance. ALWAYS IN CHARGE appeals as the value after a comfortable win last time.
Artistic Jewler should appreciate the class relief here following several unsuccessful runs at a higher grade. RICHARD’S COMMAND, meanwhile, responded well to her first attempt at 8½ furlongs, showing a nice turn of foot late on in proceedings to beat Makin it Up and Harlan’s Angel. Bakzone has been running well enough at a marginally higher grade than this and should be in the mix, while Take Charge Gwen and Ombre Rose will presumably take the field along at a reasonable clip.
Two wins, two seconds and a third from five starts this season make BELLAROO a worthy favourite, but victory here won’t be straightforward. The Fair Grounds’ import Valerie Valeski has been equally consistent this term and her neck second to Racino on her last appearance in June gives her an excellent chance. Heart of Texas returns to 6½ furlongs after three solid efforts over further, while Bakfire Baby wasn’t beaten too far last time when fourth behind three-time winner, Airaffair.
Ring of Kerry sits on a hat-trick here and takes his first tilt for new connections since being claimed. He should be thereabouts in what looks to be a wide-open contest. Von Dom also remains consistent and returns to 6½ furlongs for the first time in four starts. War horses Sanawar and Wise Market seldom let anyone down and should again give good accounts. It may pay to take a chance on LAUGH WITH ME, who arguably runs here in a marginally less competitive heat than both of his most recent, close-up, efforts.
The 4yo Rollie’s Spirit ran well when fourth on debut and may be the value here in what looks to be a competitive maiden. Showman finished second behind New Chaser in Rollie Spirit’s race and should be in the mix, while Three Day Bender has bumped into some classier names in deeper waters than he faces here. MONTE lost any chance at the start last time when receiving a hefty bump, and a repeat of his prior effort when third behind Value Max puts him in the frame. The lightly-raced Faulkner, meanwhile, drops significantly in class in a first effort over 6½ furlongs.
VALUE MAX, who should be a warm favourite here, beat Sharpzan and Monte two starts ago and is lowering his sights after running acceptably at Allowance level last time. Barney Google may be the value option and returns to 6½ furlongs following two unsuccessful efforts over further and his second-place to Makeitorbreakit in May brings him firmly into the equation. The class drop worked a treat for Mt Seymour last time, although this looks a tougher task.
Gwen reappears for the first time since May, although a repeat of that effort when third behind progressive winner Visenya and subsequent two-time winner Koala gives her a leading chance. CASSIDY COWBOY is another testing the waters at a lower class level after just two career starts to-date, while Carolina Gent appeals most of the rest. Racing Club members have waited patiently to see Look At My Socks debut and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
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