November 24, 2015
Hallelujah was hands-down the class of the Grade II Kennedy Road field on Sunday afternoon at WO and despite being winless in seven starts on the year, came away with a dazzling score over Magic Time after rocketing to the lead around the turn. A $10.000 claim who turned into a Grade I winner last year, he is from the aptly named sire Worth Every Scent and has been, pushing past $1200.000 in earnings with the win while proving that older horses are still forces to be reckoned with at HRP.
The only horse not away quickly from the gate in the Kennedy Road was Power From Within (50.15) and out of the chute, it was favourite Rapid Refund (*1.70) who took up the lead with Gin Soaked Muse (6.50) and Hallelujah (2.05) right at his throat. As those three sprinted clear through an opening quarter-mile in 22.91, it was Hallelujah who scooted up the inside to take the lead and unfortunately for the top choice, he had little response to that early push. Gin Soaked Muse tucked in neatly to embolden his chances but through the half-mile in 45.30, the former Grade I winner was 1.5-lengths clear and driving with little to stop his momentum. By the head of the lane, the lead had stretched to more than two-lengths with the only real danger coming from Magic Time (3.15) on the outside but his rally came up a length short as Hallelujah was able to hold on for the victory, his first in eight starts this season. Gin Soaked Muse held well for third after pressing the pace while Caymanas Park (9.95) made a minor run inside but was never really a threat for the win. Rapid Refund backed up to fifth in a disappointing effort while Power From Within broke last and stayed late, finishing up the track as the longest shot in the six-horse field.
Third in the CT Classic and more recently, second in the SA Sprint Championship, Hallelujah had all the talent to win the Grade II Kennedy Road and did so with aplomb, running everyone off their feet in a near track-record performance. Seven triple-digit speed ratings in eight starts this year prove that, at the age of six, he is still one of the most consistent performers around with the hope that he can come back as a seven-year-old and be just as wonderful.
Congratulations goes out to owner Eastern Equine and their six-year-old horse Hallelujah, a clear winner of the Grade II Kennedy Road at WO!
Winner Hallelujah
Six-year-old bay horse
Worth Every Scent-Uchacha (Swarley)
Owner Eastern Equine
Time 22.91, 45.30, 56.69, 1:08.65
Overall
Hallelujah 2.05 inside run, drove home around turn, well-meant
Magic Time 3.15 broke slowly, between rivals late, clear second
Gin Soaked Muse 6.50 pressed early, held for minor award late
Caymanas Park 9.95 no threat for win
Rapid Refund *1.70 set pace, faded
Power From Within 50.15 outrun
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
