AP St Leger Stakes – Grade III

1 1/2 Mile Turf Stake Purse $250.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

Pretty much all my write ups will be the same today, raced in the stalk or led and then won. Pretty tedious stuff to be honest but AP basically had 5 instant replays in the 5 graded stakes races today. The only thing about this race, and it was the smallest glimmer in an otherwise predictable day, was that for once a three year old didnt beat its older rivals. To be fair the only three year old with half a chance was taken back too far and blocked at a crucial moment but lets not spoil a very rare moment at HRP these days.

1st T S Crystal, trained by Triple K

This five year old loves a test of stamina but prior to this win had looked at his best on a soft surface. However an on speed bias and a slow early pace saw this horse turn around a seven length beating in the San Luis Rey to come home a very easy winner. I am not sure there was any miraculous improvement in the horse which brought about this easy win or that he will go on to run up a string of wins but you cant take away this day from him and today he looked like a super star.

2nd Bid Daddy Z, trained by Mb Stables
Had the winner seven lengths behind him the last time they met but today as the two vied for the lead off a sluggish pace that seven length advantage saw a ten length turn round and he was pretty easily beaten in the end. He is so inconsistent it is hard to place the value of this performance but on his day he can be very good and this wasnt too far off his best.

3rd King Riggo, trained by Jackrussell Farms
At a time when the three’s are caning the older horses i found myself just waiting for this one to pull out and whizz by the leaders. However as he stayed behind other horses, seemingly unwilling to switch over heels it never looked like he was going to make up ground fast enough. As it was nothing came from behind today so in hindsight it was no surprise that he failed to quicken and third was the best he could manage.

4th Pink Devil, trained by Our Athletes
Another, given the track bias that had no chance as he was taken back early, he stayed on pretty well for fourth and could easily turn the form around on a different day.

SUMMARY
One of those races where you just threw the form book out of the window it was dominated as all the races were by on pace runners. A track bias or some sort of race engine dial…i am sure there will be plenty of discussion on the subject.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES