Saturday Previews

Strength in depth on display at Hastings on Saturday with seven ultra-competitive races to solve, headlined by a tough Allowance contest that has attracted some top-class equine athletes

Jul 26, 2024

LUCKY FORCE (Amadeo Perez) — photo Michael Bye

OUR BLOKE made up significant ground from the rear and wasn’t beaten far by the useful Pisco and subsequent winner Bakburner on his season debut back in May. He hasn’t run since then, and may eventually need to step up in distance, but he’s been working solidly enough and wouldn’t need to improve too much more to have a big say. Class-dropping FRASER LANDING will need to settle better than he has done in his two most recent starts, but he wasn’t far behind Our Bloke when they met in May and is certainly in the mix. Barn-mate QUATRE BAK is also adjusting his sights downward a tad and he can be a threat on what is only his fourth lifetime start.

VECTOR looks to be the class of the race in here and he drops back to sprinting after failing to land a blow in the Chris Loseth Stakes over a mile-and-sixteenth last time. Prior to that, he was a rallying third to August Rain and Wealthy Texan and a repeat of that would make him hard to beat. He probably has most to fear from his stablemate and fellow Canyon Farms homebred, MR MORRIS, who goes for his third consecutive win of the season after going gate-to-wire in both his previous starts. RUN RUDOLF went into plenty of notebooks when second behind Westminster on his only career run to date. He wouldn’t need to improve too much on that to be a threat again today.

Always fascinating to see a group of unraced two-year-olds take their first tentative racing steps and, as usual, the betting market should make the best guide to their relative chances. ANOTHER LAST DANCE is a sibling to several winners, including recent Hastings’ maiden victor, Rick’s Dancer, while MISS LARUE is already working five furlongs in the mornings and should have no trouble coping with the sharp three-and-a-half furlongs here. However, most eyes will be on I’M IN CONTROL, who was a relatively expensive CTHS yearling purchase and who is a sibling to a couple of local champions in LEGACY SQUARE and U DID IT. Meanwhile, ANSTRUTHER has shown a little speed in the mornings, is a first foal of Stakes-placed performer Largo and is therefore closely related to an excellent BC family that regularly produces top flight runners.

BUTTONWOOD TREE’s heat shield melted on re-entry last time after trying to take the rapid Just Jimmy gate-to-wire and, while this represents a tougher challenge than either of his two Hastings’ wins presented, he should be a different proposition today if he can avoid any front-end duelling. PURSUE looks to be the class of the race and takes on the mile-and-sixteenth for the first time this year after two solid efforts over the shorter course. He was third to Space and Counteract in Allowance company the last time he took on the 8½ furlongs and anything close to that should give him a leading chance. PAY MY WAY takes a little class relief and should be a big threat if he has room to launch his trademark late rally.

A handful of heavy hitters make this an Allowance contest to savour. LUCKY FORCE started his move from somewhere on the North Shore last time, collaring barn-mate and longtime leader JUST JIMMY close to home in a cheeky neck victory. Both have leading chances again here, although the pace will probably need to be quick enough to give Lucky Force something to run at. APPREHEND was a beaten short-priced favourite on his return to racing in May after a year on the sidelines. However, that was his first effort at Hastings after a ’22 campaign that saw him take second in the Zia Park Derby and he did well to overcome traffic issues late to finish a close-up fourth. He’s been out again since that run but should be a big danger if able to get somewhere near his best. BIG UNION has been patiently campaigned this season and showed signs recently that he may be approaching his peak. He wasn’t beaten far in the Lieutenant Governors Stakes earlier this month and has been working well. Finally, ARISTOCRACY overcame an outside draw and a three-wide trip to win earlier this month and, while this is clearly a tougher challenge, has also been working well and represents some likely value at the betting windows.

The remarkably consistent RACING RIVER continues to be a credit to his connections and, after winning on his reappearance in May, has yet to miss the first three this season. There seems very little reason why he shouldn’t go very close again. FOREIGN PROTOCOL makes his belated return to Hastings after two recent unplaced efforts at Emerald Downs. He’s dropping in class here, however, and looks a live threat on most of his Hastings form last summer. KNOPFLER has won twice already this term and is yet to miss the board. He makes his first appearance for new connections since being claimed and can be expected to arrive late on the scene as usual. AVE’S IN COMMAND goes for his third win of the season. He got caught in a three-way, front-end duel last time and never looked comfortable at any stage. He’s better judged on any of his previous efforts this term and remains a major contender.

QUEEN OF ATTITUDE drops back to sprinting and goes for her third consecutive win after forging clear late to beat MISS THE HYPE over 8½ furlongs last time. She’s amazingly consistent at this level and, while this may be a more difficult challenge against several class-droppers, remains the one to beat. INDYETTA lost second place only very late to Alobrah when they chased home Arikara last time and this looks an easier challenge on paper. LUCY TREASURE hopped at the start and never looked entirely comfortable when fourth behind Indyetta and co and is better judged on her two previous efforts in arguably tougher company.