Kilroe Mile – Grade I
SA   Race #8   1m   Turf   Graded Stake
Purse $400.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

A stellar field graces what is the first real mile turf race that starts to paint the BC picture. Sit back and enjoy a great field in a great race.

1 Classic Cliche, trained by Blushing Meadows
Looked like a real prospect last year when running on well to be fifth beaten a length in the BEL Derby but failed to live up to that in his subsequent three year old runs managing just one place in an overnight in 5 efforts. He started this year with a decent allowance win at FG and then managed a decent third albeit with a low weight in the GP Turf Handicap. He is certainly a nice sort but against this stellar field he may be battling for a smaller pay check.
2 Tin Lizzie, trained by Stald Gullis
Last years BC Mile winner coming off a run of losses he added the San Simeon at the end of the year as the four year olds began to claw back the weight allowance that was killing them earlier in the year. He gave weight to Classic Cliche on his seasonal reappearance in the GP Turf Handicap so he should confirm those placing pretty easily and he put in a pleasing effort to be second. His last three starts have certainly shown the consistency he was lacking earlier in his career so i would expect a bold showing from the reigning BC camp today.
3 War Scent, trained by Our Athletes
The winner of the Hirsch Turf Classic and third in The BC Turf in 2015 he struggled a little last year to improve on that and was eventually sold by Mb Stables for just $50. That price tag looked very cheap when he came back from a lay off to take The Fort lauderdale by a neck and you have to wonder whether the change of stables has revitalised this formerly very useful type. My fear for him is that the mile may prove too sharp for him and by the time he warms up the race will be over but he certainly has a touch of class and isnt out of this.
4 Desolation Island, trained by Mb Stables
The BEL Derby winner of 2015 was a close second in the BC Turf in that same year and on those lines of form has the beating of the two inside him. His only stakes win as a four year old came in The MM Mile but like most four year olds he struggled for most of the season until eventually being rested after a competitive fifth in the Pacific Classic. He showed his well being by trying to make all on seasonal debut in the CA Cup Turf Classic but just failed and ended up a close second. His works are still pretty strong so he must come here with a chance but you must take it on trust that he produces his best today.

5 Inspector Jacque, trained by Kopites
The stable is in great form at the moment but it may take a minor miracle for this one to beat this tough field. Only lightly raced his best run last year came in the Kentucky Cup Turf where he only went down by a head but i would be surprised if that was good enough to see him winning today. He looked good in winning his seasonal debut in a GG overnight and has some decent work times to his name so it is not impossible to see him running well.

6 Compress, trained by Cherrytree Hill Farm
Beaten only a half length in the BC Mile last year he went on to take the grade one HOL Derby at the end of a year where he had promised so much. His poor show in The Pegasus World Cup will have worried his trainer but that was on dirt and he is five lengths better on turf. With some of the slickest work times and some great turf form he will be the one to beat.

7 Seven Years, trained by Alydar Stables
This grand old campaigner is now eight year old but just refuses to retire and is still in very good form. His amazing record boasts a BC Mile win in 2014 and many many more top performances but he hasnt won for a while now and that has to be a concern in a top field. Two good runs when second in both the Arcadian and The San Gabriel this year shows his continuing well being so a forward sowing must be expected its just whether his old legs can grind out one last win.

8 Lunar Blaze, trained by John Henry
This one came from obscurity to win five in a row last year including the BEL Derby and The Arlington Million. He struggled a little at the end of the year as the weight allowance for three year olds reduced but still did well to be second in the Shadwell Turf Mile and a close-ish sixth in the BC Turf. He looked nice on seasonal debut when second beaten a neck in the Poseidon and has put in some serious work times this year suggesting he is ready to get back to winning ways.

9 Rare Coincidence, trained by Mb Stables
Beaten just a neck by Lunar Blaze in the BEL Derby last year he won the Henry Championship in October before running a little flat in the BC Turf. He was taken to lowly HOU for a seasonal return but got beaten into second that day causing a few questions as to whether he is as good as he once was. His work times are suggesting he is and if he does run his best race he is entitled to get pretty close to winning.

10 Midway, trained by Whitewater Stables
Won the Commonwealth Turf and The Arcadian last year and managed to repeat that Arcadian win this year. Fairly lightly raced for a five year old he is certainly in good form at the moment with two from two this year so far. This sticky draw wont help but he has made the running before so with the help of the wide gate speed push may get a soft lead today. He is certainly in with a winning chance and if he can overcome the draw must be in with a shout.

11 Scott The Great, trained by Night Mare Racing
Had only won a maiden before a great third in the Queens Plate last year but he took a while to win again not getting a major check until 8 months later. He took the TUP Handicap on seasonal debut and whilst that is throw away form for this type of race he has got some serious work times to his name. The outside gate will test him but he has come from way back before so may do again.

12 The Perfect Day, trained by Aer Stables
This horse seems to be the subject of some surprising sales in his time going for just $10 after a good run in the BC Dirt Mile and $100 after a convincing win in the GP Turf Handicap. Whatever the reason for those slim looking price tags there is no doubt this son of Quench has plenty of ability. He had a very winnable weight in the GP race but did it well and if he can manage the outside gate today he could really fulfill all the promise he as shown on the gallops.

SUMMARY
Well what a race. Plenty of chances, in fact its hard to write anything off in this so it is just as hard to pick a winner. Compress and Lunar Blaze look to have the best chances but i wouldnt be surprised to see The Perfect Day and Midway get into the action. Good luck to all.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES