The Go For Wand Handicap – Grade III
AQU Race #2 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1st Longclaws Maggie Big Jd Racing Ferrer J C

Firstly, my apologies to the horse and trainer because I missed one rather important piece of information in assessing this five-year-old’s chances for this race. Last time out she was beaten under a length by Gerri G in The Pumpkin Pie from a wide gate and carrying 130Lbs, 4Lbs more than that horse. Today she still had top weight, but the difference was only two pounds which did indeed give her a better chance at avenging that defeat not a worse one as I had predicted. Luckily the horse didn’t listen to me and came with a late run to grasp the win right on the line. This is her second graded stakes win of the year, both by short margins, so you have to admire her tenacity and her ability to take her chances when they are presented.

2nd Moment To Reflect Threshold Franco M

Went to war early on to try and get the lead and just when she finally got her nose in front, she found the late arriving winner breaking her heart on the line. This was another tough performance by the lightly raced four-year-old and she could be a decent prospect next year.

3rd Furlough Maxmillion Farm Carmouche K

Went to war with Moment To Reflect throughout the race and stuck on really bravely for a narrow defeat. As a three-year-old who was worse off at the weights she had no right to run this well, but she did and this was a pleasing effort going forward, I think the trainer has plenty of choices with her as she has bags of early pace so will be effective over a variety of trips and she is certainly going the right way on her improvement curve.

4th Gerri G Luz International Luzzi L J

Got a little buried from the one gate which can be a tough place to be. I am a bit confused as to why she went back from a draw that should have made her stalking running style the perfect choice. Maybe she stumbled at the off or there were some choices made by the trainer or AI but either way she never really got into a challenging position until it was too late. She stayed on well and ran her usual consistent effort.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES