The Kings Bishop – Grade I

8/27/2016   15:00   8/23/2016 3:00   SAR   Race #7   7f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $500.00  For Three Year Olds.

1 Ufc Morals, trained by Tiratzo
Finished behind Viking Tiz and Give Your All in the Barrera Stakes but then turned that form around in the Dwyer by beating Give Your All. Those two races pretty much sum up the three year old division as most races have had that ‘pot luck’ feel about them as to who comes out on top. The question will be whether this on pace runner can do it again that is a tough question to answer. He had the wide gate speed push to help him int the lead in the Dwyer and with an inside gate today he will need to get away smartly over this shorter trip to dominate as he did then. Whatever happens this is an improving horse who jumped up in performance in April and hasnt stopped improving.

2 Rodeo, trained by Allinthegate
Bought from Australia Wide in the stables recent fire sale he is a consistent sort who races from a handy draw. Whilst his works are good they are a tick off the best and his form also looks a bit behind some of them. I wouldnt be writing off an honest run but i cant see him winning.

3 Viking Tiz, trained by Delta Farms
Beaten just a head in the Berrera he is another that has got better as the season has progressed. He achieved a 103 speed figure when taking the Carry Back on easy ground and then hit triple digits again when narrowly beaten into third in the Amsterdam last time. He was behind Spanish Pedals that day but with a more favourable draw today he could easily turn the tables. His works are right in the mix and this trip is probably his best so i would expect a big run from the Delta Farms runner.

4 Give Your All, trained by Mb Stables
A winner of 5 from 8 his form is intricately intertwined with the other runners and with a super fast work just a few days ago he looks ready to once again be pushing for the win.Brought along steadily after a cheap allowance win he looked destined for the top when taking the Barrera with his usual late running style. He got going too late from wide draws in his last two including that good run in the Dwyer and he will again have to rely on luck to play its part when he weaves his way through.

5 Dogs Got Wings, trained by Grimley
Went the TC route after a good win in the Spiral and didnt fare too badly in the Preakness after a weak run in the KYD. Having said that he got wide draws in both those races so he may be better than those results show. He was given a long rest after the Preakness and came back in July to run a cracker in the Dwyer just a quarter length back from Give Your All in third. He was drawn wide again in that last start and gets a much fairer run today and with that run under his belt after a lay off could turn out to be the dark horse of the race.

6 Grand Slam Hero, trained by Mb Stables
A close sixth in the Stephens from a wide draw he was spot on in The Morrissey last time when getting home by a head. A super worker who can sprint with the best of them at home his form is less inspiring than some in the race but he looks to have plenty of ticks in the boxes. This one is in the top 6 with a nose between them so could easily win or finish seventh, take your pick.

7 Bolkonski, trained by Blushing meadows
A consistent sort he has faced the best older sprinters in The Triple Bend and the Crosby and ran pretty well in both. Third in the Triple Bend he then ran on late to be fifth in the Crosby and is one of the few who has tackled grade one sprints in this field. His trainer often gets them ready for a big effort at this time of year and his works suggest he is in peak condition. Again like so many of the chances so much will come down to the trip and the traffic.

8 Treaslefeet, trained by Mb Stables
It wouldnt be a grade one without 3 entries from Mb Stables and this is their third and by no means least entry. Trolling the lesser tracks he has win five from eight but did manage a dead heat in the ungraded Bernhardt last time. Now none of his form looks anywhere near this type of field but his works and race times say he has a chance and so a win wouldnt surprise.

9 Astral projection, trained by Oliver Klozov
Another within a few tenths of a win the draw may play its part if he gets trapped wide or working too hard early as he did in the Amsterdam last time. Having said that he contested the pace throughout that day and only finished a whisker behind Viking Tiz and Spanish Pedals so he has every chance of getting some of this. He finished in front of Spanish Pedals before that in The Stephens and was very close to Give Your All so is another part in a very complicated puzzle.

10 Spanish Pedals, trained by Scarletandgraystable
Beaten a nose in The Amsterdam last time that was a career best run and if he can overcome this tough draw he too should be in the mix. Not as strong at home as some of these he is no outsider and given the trip could get some of the purse. If anyone can work this draw its D E Centeno and if its an on pace day he may be the one.

11 Here Comes K Dog, trained by Night Rider Stables
In a field where everything has a chance you cant even write off this one who has been struggling to find a win in overnights. His works are right up there but it would take a huge improvement to get him into the first three today.

SUMMARY
Whilst this race is sure to be exciting it pretty much sums up some of the problems with HRP at the moment. Atleast eight of this field are within a half length of each other and you may as well stick a pin in to find the winner as to try and work out who will find the inch needed. I have decided to look at the last work only in my selections and on the strength of that go for Ufc Morals and Give Your All to fight out the finish. My reasoning may be flawed but if you can confidently pick the winner of this race i will take my hat off to you.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES