Sunday Strength in Depth
Sunday Strength in Depth
Plenty of runners to get to grips with and betting opportunities galore in seven highly-competitive races at Hastings on Sunday
BLUEGRASS ANGUS is the morning line favourite to make it four wins from six starts. However, this does represent a step up in class for the magnificent veteran and he will not have things his own way. It’s been a while since R W Stanley’s win over this short a distance, but he’s no slouch and that win, last summer, came in a $20k allowance contest. Stable jockey Antonio Reyes has plumped for Just Make Believe, who is making his seasonal debut, over Black Metal despite the latter having had a run, while Frankie Machine is also having his first run of the season.
Two horses (Koala and Gwen) beaten comfortably by Visenya on her debut a fortnight ago ran Saturday and may provide clues but she won decisively and could go close again here. Flat Out Donna is making her seasonal reappearance after two good efforts last season over the minimum 3½ furlongs, the second of which was a win over subsequent Jack Diamond winner, Soaringforthesun. TEXAS HUMOR’s chance was probably gone when he stumbled mid-stretch last time, but he’d run well until that point and should be a lot closer today.
Only Northern Kid and Jack Don’t Drink have any experience over this distance, but both have had plenty of chances to break their ducks. Silver Arrow and Harbor Storm both ran okay behind Visenya and Koala last time and a repeat of that will put both in contention. It might pay to take a chance on the inexperienced SOLANDER. He will need to improve on what he’s shown so far but ran as though he’d appreciate this step up to 1 1/6th miles.
Dr Benny and SLOOP JOHN B appear to hold the key here. Both ran well enough last time behind easy winner Hanky Pranky to suggest they won’t remain maidens very long. VALUABLE COWBOY is making his seasonal bow, but his third-place finish to Just Jimmy and Belcarra Park on his second ever start last term puts him in the mix. Showman should improve again on his one start this year, while the unraced Barberry Bandit has been working well in the mornings and can’t be ignored.
All eight entered here are capable of taking this tricky claiming contest, with marginal preference given to MUSTACHIO. The 8yo has repeatedly proved his preference for this longer distance and a repeat of his second to Ace Deuce last time over today’s trip might be enough. Airaffair has run three time already this term and has yet to miss the board while, interestingly, Von Dom takes on this longer journey for the first time in his career. We’re in Command beat Airaffair last time, has been working well and has a little encouraging form at the distance from last July.
It’s nine races since Take Charge Gwen has finished outside the first three and her second to Ombre Rose last time puts her firmly in contention here. Finishing behind her that day, but close enough to suggest they should again be a factor, were Anima, Gem of Inception, Harlan’s Angel, Fourtowin and Zetamarie. However, slight preference is given to RICHARD’S COMMAND, who overcame another tardy start to miss out by just a neck last time with Anima behind her in third.
WALKINTHEWALK and Sky Factor ran second and third respectively behind Sunbright last tine and a repeat of that run by either will put them close to the winner’s circle here. Devine Dancer makes her Hastings debut after arriving from Woodbine and might be best watched to see how she adapts to the track. Living Sky has been swimming in marginally deeper waters in Alberta, while Countess Cat plugged on well enough last time after getting caught in a duel early and appeals most of the others.
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