Sunday Previews
All your runners, riders and race previews for another competitive seven-race card at Hastings
Hastings Previews, October 9
VANCOUVER’S HUNTER has been expensive to follow this season but this probably represents his best opportunity for some time and he looks to hold a major chance. However, LIZZIE’S GIRL was a little unlucky last time but still finished a good second to Hollywood Mistress. Prior to that, she won convincingly and this looks well within her grasp. DONE THAT was a long-priced winner last time over Saturday flop Texas Humor, coming with a rattle to land the spoils. Her record suggests a repeat is unlikely, but she’s hard to ignore totally.
CAROLINA GENT is unlikely to get a better opportunity to break his maiden after some solid performances this season against better opposition than he faces here. Lightly-raced SOMETHING ELUSIVE was disappointing last time when dropped into the bottom level but had previously run acceptably in more challenging company. I GOT VISION rallied into fourth the last time she took on 8 1/2 furlongs, but that was two years ago.
GREYTOGO is a notable a class-dropper here and a repeat of any of his previous runs this season may be enough to get the job done. SHOWMAN represents the in-form Heads barn, is another who has performed well enough in tougher company and he only just missed last time when dropping into this class for the first time. ABRIERWIN has one of these in him and he makes his first appearance for new connections since being claimed.
A far from straightforward puzzle. KANDY KATIE has only had the two runs this term but won them both. She last appeared in June however and is entitled to need the race. FLORAL is another on a hat-trick after a nice win over The Kat’s Back last time and makes her first appearance for new connections since being claimed. ARIKARA has been swimming in deeper waters than this although the last time she dropped to the same level, she won (before stepping up and winning again).
SET TO SHINE was close enough behind the rapid Bold Arch two starts ago (with BIG UNION behind), returns to 6 1/2 furlongs today and represents the in-form Heads barn. Heads also saddles BLACK METAL, whose win last time came at the expense of today’s rival DRILLER, although this probably represents a marginally tougher assignment. The consistent REA MEA has a touch of class and a repeat of last month’s win over Pretty Aria makes her a live contender.
QUAGMIRE is a tough soldier who has been first or second in each of his previous four starts and he should be knocking on the door again today. PADDY D’ORO put in arguably a season-best performance to beat subsequent winner Klondike Gentleman last time, although he drops back in distance here. WISE MARKET was only a length behind Quagmire last time and wouldn’t be winning out of turn.
This represents a rapid turnaround for the patiently campaigned MARTELLO, although he reunites with champion-rider-in-waiting Amadeo Perez and a repeat of their win a fortnight ago should make them hard to stop. There’s not much between MCMURPHY and CALAMAZEUS on the book with the former making his first appearance for new connections since being claimed. BETTIN’ MAN, meanwhile, has been a little frustrating this season but won two starts ago and wasn’t beaten too far last time, either.
BC-Breds Land Two CTHS Heats at Century Mile
Rougir Arrives Late to Take the E. P. Taylor (G1)
