Kilroe Mile – Grade II

SA               Race #5                            1m                       Turf                      Stake

Purse $200.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward

1st        Ello Santa                       Mb Stables                     Velazquez J R

Well, we are left wondering what happened in the Pegasus Turf that saw this brilliant son of Ben Nevis trail in 11^th because the pace was hot again today and he was back to his brilliant best, stalking the lead and running his heart out to hold them off. He now pushes his earnings past the $4,000.000 mark and the only question the trainer will have now, even this early in the year, is, will it be the BC Mile or the BC Turf.

2nd       Seven Is Lucky              Mb Stables                     Santana R Jr  

I thought this could be a Mb 1,2,3 and I was right with the first two as this seven-year-old very nearly caught his younger stable mate. He really is an under rated member of the team and he was just a neck away from taking the prize today and beating his two far more esteemed stable mates. His sire Clockwork Chai who was so brilliant on the same surface has been largely quiet since going to the shed, but this gelding is carrying the genetic flag, and it is great to see him giving his dad same success. I feel the problem of which BC race to aim for will be similar with him as it is with the winner, but it is a great dilemma to have for our champion trainer.      

3rd        American Nightmare                D J C Racing Stables                Centeno D E  

What a great effort for a horse who has had a very busy in the last two months. This was possibly his best effort so far, running just a half-length behind two brilliant and established turf milers. As usual there seems no distinction between turf and dirt for this five-year-old that now looks to have established himself as a miler after some good efforts over shorter trips.

4th        Salah                  Royalty Stables                           Bejarano R     

Well, either the trainer made the decision to hit the gaming buttons, or the race engine did it for him but either way this four-year-old entire ran a brilliant race to be a close fourth. Setting a very strong pace from the wide gate he had every right to fad at the end, but he kept fighting right to the line in probably the most eye-catching run in the race. This was his first run on turf and once again we saw how little difference there is between the surfaces at HRP, and I really like this one going forward especially when he gets a more conducive draw.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES