Pattison Canadian International – Grade I
1 1/2 Mile Turf Stake Purse $1,000.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Exactly As Planned, trained by Maxmillion Farm
If you had said to me before this race that the widest drawn horse with only one lifetime win and one run in a grade three race could possibly win the Canadian International i would have laughed you off the page. However, random events aside the yielding going was always going to throw up a result like this. After being sold by Australia Wide for just $75.000 this turfer who had always give the impression he needed a marathon trip has been working up a storm and confirmed his improvement with a good third in the grade three Kentucky Cup last time. Today for whatever reason was his day. Taken back from a wide draw he flew home to grab a nose win in the shadows of the post ony his second career win. I guess if you mention that he is three year old you immediately improve his chances of winning, then add in his ability to act on a soft surface and that he needs every yard of this trip and its not a huge shock that he won.

2nd Gallivant, trained by Australia Wide
I am not sure he really loved the going but he was potentially the best horse in the race despite his mystery run in the Commonwealth Derby last time. As a three year old he had an immediate advantage and when he worked his way to the front the only danger left to him was his stamina. He stuck on really gamely to be second but was a tired horse on the line and looks to be right back to his best after his random run last time out.

3rd Cju, trained by Maxmilion Farm
Ran a super race for a four year old against the three’s and without the weight allowance was probably the best horse in the race. Ran right up to his best but seems to find this trip beyond him as he weakened in the closing stages. Again the going didnt really suit him but the handy draw helped him get a good position early on and he stuck on really well.

4th Spotted Cat, trained by Blushing Meadows
After running so well on the pace last time it was a surprise that he reverted to his old running style in this race. The draw however was probably the reason, which seems a bit strange but is something we have had to get used to at HRP. Running on late he managed a superb fourth on going that certainly suited him and one has to wonder whether he would have run better had the race engine put him on the speed from a wider draw.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES