August 1, 2016

Rain in the forecast played into the hands of those who backed longshots at tracks all across HRP on Sunday and the Grade III Royal North Stakes at WO was no exception as Corruption, the longest shot in the seven-horse field of turf sprinters, rallied up the rail to best two-time champion Natural Flower by a length. Claimed for $50.000 at CD after winning on the main track, she was a closing fourth at PIM going shorter and continued her improvement with the extra furlong here, scoring her sixth career win while pushing past $200.000 in lifetime earnings for owner Bushview, who recorded their first of what should be many Graded Stakes scores.

Given the yielding turf course at WO on Sunday, the early fractions of the Royal North were bound to dictate the final outcome and Kettle (5.60) and Taco Belle (3.75) both broke sharply from the gate with Natural Flower (*1.65) hung four-wide in the first furlong. As the three leaders sprinted past the opening split in 23.15, Rip Snortin (19.10) hung back in fourth with clear separation to the rest and it was not until the head of the lane that things started to change. Natural Flower asserted herself four-wide turning for home as Rip Snortin angled outside of her with Kettle and Taco Belle trying to keep pace but through the half-mile in 46.70, the rail completely opened up for Corruption (24.75) and it was clear sailing from there. With a furlong to go, Natural Flower was a length to the good but the backfield was starting to charge and the best was coming from Corruption, as the three-year-old stormed up the best part of the track with absolutely no resistance. Whether Natural Flower was tired, or did not see her, or simply failed to menace was besides the point, as the margin of victory was a length for the winner with Applauding (3.00) coming through for third over a hard charging Laffin All The Way (8.15), who got going way too late. Rip Snortin finished in midpack as a product of a wide trip while Kettle and Taco Belle backed up to the rear of the field after pressing the pace, with no doubt about the winner who clearly handled the off-going with style.

Much like many of the Sunday races, the Grade III Royal North Stakes was a gift for longshot players as Corruption used a golden rail and a wide run from some of the favourites to sneak up and score her first added money win in her initial attempt. A perfect two-for-two on off-tracks, she could have a race like the Smart N Fancy at SAR on her radar although there are plenty of good turf events at KEE and KD later in the year that could prove to be excellent for her as well.

Congratulations goes out to owner Bushview and their three-year-old filly Corruption, a rail skimming winner of the Grade III Royal North Stakes at WO!

Prediction                    Natural Flower / Laffin All The Way / Applauding

Winner                         Corruption

                                        Three-year-old bay filly

                                        Il Miglio Fabro-Canadien Politics (I Am Canadian)

Owner                           Bushview

Time                              23.15, 46.70, 58.76, 1:11.00

Overall

Corruption                   24.75 sat back, rail ride, driving

Natural Flower           *1.65 broke wide, clear into lane, caught

Applauding                  3.00 gained ground late

Laffin All The Way    8.15 too far back early

Rip Snortin                   19.10 wide run throughout

Kettle                              5.60 broke well, faded

Taco Belle                      3.75 broke well, faded

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES