Sunday's Previews

Above Average and Viva La Vino renew rivalry in the day's feature Allowance contest, while Hastings Racing Club' members will be out in force to cheer on Prince Cairo

Jun 14, 2025

ABOVE AVERAGE (Amadeo Perez) — photo Michael Bye

Race Previews — Sunday, June 15

VINO LA VINO got up in the dying strides to finish ahead of ABOVE AVERAGE last time and that excellent second, on her first run of the year, should have put the finishing touches to her fitness as she looks to get off the mark for the season. ABOVE AVERAGE was in quite the tussle with the eventual winner Wirly Girly that day and will give the selection plenty to think about again. ANNIKA’S SONG was “chinned” on the wire by the fast-finishing Sunblaze last time after looking a certain winner inside the final furlong. She lost nothing in defeat that day and remains a major player here.

BIG UNION takes some significant class relief and will be tough nut to crack if able to reproduce pretty much any of his efforts from last year. He wasn’t a factor in his first race of the season but, with that under his belt, looks a worthy favourite. Proud connections greeted veteran AVE’S IN COMMAND in the winner’s circle five times a last season in a brilliant campaign. He’s already off the mark for this year and looks unlikely to miss the frame again today. The tenacious KNOPFLER makes his first appearance for new connections since being claimed last time and will be a threat, while PETER FLIES is another who was holding his own in deeper waters than this last year and held off Broke an Broken, narrowly, to win gate-to-wire last time.

OVERLY FAST lost nothing in a narrow defeat to Ostracize last time and has Amadeo Perez in the saddle today in his first run for new connections since being claimed. TEX HANLEY led them a merry dance to win “going away” on his season debut and could easily follow up here as he steps up in distance. SLOOP JOHN B’s looked all at sea on a sloppy track last time but remains a threat at this this distance and should be closer today.

This looks to be well within PRINCE CAIRO’s operating window and he can make Father’s Day go with a swing for the Hastings a Racing Club if able to repeat his recent season-opening effort. “Cairo” is one of three runners from the Tammy Snow barn and stablemate CHICKASAW will be hoping for more luck today after being the meat in the sandwich at the start last time and losing all chance in the process. Prior to that, however, he beat Kitten Kandy first time up this year and should be closer again today. There’s a lot to be taken on trust with T’WASBAKKENTHEDAY. His sole run came over 3½ furlongs in August ’23, but he beat the useful Mr Morris that day and anything close to that level of performance would make him a big threat.

FINDING WAYS is back in the Betts’ barn after being re-claimed last time and goes for a fourth win in five starts. Anything close to last month’s ½ -length victory over subsequent winner Stanford Bay would see him go close. LOVE THE NEST was full of running when encountering traffic problems last time and did well to finish third, just a length behind the winner. He’ll may be closer with clear passage. STRAIT OF GEORGIA should be seen to better effect when stepping up in distance, but he’s been working enthusiastically in the mornings and there should be plenty of pace on here to help.

MINA MARINA could do nothing about the winner on her season debut, but had everything else covered behind that day and she can get off the mark in just her third lifetime start. KITTEN KANDY is a little more experienced and probably bumped into a couple of better-than-average sorts when third last time. She’s yet to miss the frame in four starts and that sequence can continue this afternoon. Sister to a five-time winner, stablemate JUST SCARLET is an interesting debutante to keep an eye on, especially with leading rider Amadeo Perez in the saddle.