Pacific Classic – Grade I [BC]

1 1/4 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,000.00 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

This race had so much intrigue that it was already one of the most fascinating races of the season. Could the filly win, would the three year olds dominate again, could the sprinters take down the routers, could the older generation provide a miracle result. These questions were hovering in the air as the field took to the gate for The Pacific Classic and some were going to be answered and some left hanging.
Lets start with the sprinters, well both were heavily restrained and both flew at the end to grab third and fourth. The perfect instructions can turn most horses into anything you want and both trainers picked perfectly and were rewarded by brilliant runs from their horses.
How about the three year olds? Well first and second was the least that was expected and whilst the winner was easy to justify it is hard to see how a horse that had only won a free track maiden could run so close in second. But that as they say is horse racing….apparently.
The older generation, well the two sprinters ran great races to represent them and Skeleton Balle grinded out fifth but i think this was the best they could have managed.
And finally….the filly. I am not sure where to start with this. Firstly she was taken to the back where she sat behind a wall of horses throughout the race. It was almost like the three horses in front of her were trying to block her. Then Oritz began weaving side ways back and forth seemingly unsure where to steer her but succeeding only in putting her behind more horses and finally when it was all too late she ran on to be beaten just three lengths. I will leave the reason for her defeat to you to make up your mind but i have watched this race a good few times and i am not sure i have seen anything quite so Hollywood in a race before.

Anyway enough about the also runs lets look at the first four and celebrate Ginger Haggis who must now be considered one of the greats of the game.

1st Ginger Haggis, trained by The Sidley Stud

The BC Juvenile champion and Preakness winner ran the perfect race and despite having to drift almost into the stands to get a run the result was never in doubt. This win put the great three year old over the $4000 mark in purse money and it sets up one of the most mouth-watering BC Classics in years.

2nd Cube Zero, trained by Yahudi Stables

To pay out $250 for a horse that had only won a free track maiden was a pretty big decision and after he finished 13th in the AR Derby and a well beaten third in the IA Derby that decision wasnt looking a very good one. However, today with the three year old weight allowance he paid back his new trainers faith and became a live hope for the Classic after getting to within a length of Ginger Haggis.

3rd Silver Dancer, trained by Night Rider Stables

The metropolitan winner was trying this trip for the first time and with a career that was mainly over less than a mile his trainer had to consult the instructions box to give him any chance. Well it seems instructions can work and turned this sprinter/miler into a closing router finishing like a train to grab third just a length off the winner.

4th Steel Will, trained by Australia Wide

Billed as the swansong for HRP’s great personality like Silver Dancer he was taken back to get the trip and rallied late to grab fourth. This was a big effort for a horse that won a grade one over half this trip and proves once again that if used well instructions can turn your horse into whatever you want it to be.

Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to the losers, this was a great race and one that just adds to what will be the best BC Classic for years.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES