March 8, 2015

One of the few stakes races that Mb Stables has not won in the past is the Winkfield at AQU but that all changed on Sunday afternoon at Final Tune, impressive in the Capossela over the same course and distance, doubled up his stakes tally with an impressive win from the inside. Now undefeated in four career starts, the son of Condottieris Flash looks to bigger races at both AQU and SAR and with a 94-speed rating under his belt, could be a big factor in this division if he continues to find inside runs like he did on this occasion.

Half of the runners in the Winkfield dropped back off the early pace and the other half pressed forward early with inside speed coming from Pip Blazing (11.45) while Sweetsmellofsuccess (34.15) and The Emerald City (36.45) lined up outside. As the longshots led the field through the opening split of 22.48, Noble Mou (39.10) looked to move up wide while Final Tune (3.05) tried to hold his position between rivals and that led to some tight quarters heading into the tight final turn. The lone stakes winner in the field, and highweight, moved inside for his run, Sweetsmellofsuccess tried to angle back inside from the farthest gate but a half-mile split of 45.17 proved to be a little too much for him and he was quickly swallowed up as the field turned into the lane. Final Tune took the lead with a furlong to go and really found little resistance to his outside but with a mammoth rail run, Urban Decline (12.05) found late run to finish a huge second with Gemini K (*2.80) a wide third as the favourite. Saphir du Rheu (16.10) was a decent fourth from the rail with Pip Blazing and Noble Mou hanging in midpack, with Crush On Rita (6.85) inside and Sweetsmellofsuccess fading to eighth. Dont Chief It (22.35) tried to move forward but could not muster anything late while Iron Hk Seven (22.65), Champ (5.10) and The Emerald City (36.45) weakened after showing speed to wind up near the back of the pack.

Final Tune is the product of an exceptional breeding program from owner Mb Stables and after years of perfecting, this undefeated three-year-old sprinter is one of the products and could become a champion when all is said and done. Carefully handled and placed properly in shorter races, he now looks to races like the Grade II Bay Shore, Grade II Amsterdam and Grade I Kings Bishop as a means to an end, with the BC Sprint being the ultimate prize.

Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their three-year-old gelding Final Tune, a dominant winner of the Winkfield at AQU!

Prediction Final Tune / Saphir du Rheu / Gemini K

Winner                        Final Tune

                                      Three-year-old bay gelding

                                       Condottieris Flash-No Stop Sign (Red Rioja)

Owner                           Mb Stables

Time                              22.48, 45.17, 57.10, 1:09.25 (NSR)

Overall

Final Tune                    3.05 inside run, came through, clear late

Urban Decline              12.05 nowhere early, determined run

Gemini K                       *2.80 no speed, wide rally

Saphir du Rheu            16.10 inside run, even late

Pip Blazing                    11.45 controlled effort

Noble Mou                     39.10 no late momentum

Crush On Rita               6.85 midpack throughout

Sweetsmellofsuccess    34.15 solid speed, no late pace

Dont Chief It                   22.35 no threat

Iron Hk Seven                22.65 outrun

Champ                              5.10 outrun

The Emerald City           36.45 brief speed, faded

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded