Connaught Cup Stakes – Grade II
7 Furlongs Turf Stake Purse $200.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.
Another HRP special as one length covered the first four home at the rank outsider took the race. Here is how they finished:
1st Hold The Mach, trained by Night Rider Stables
Starting well and taking up the stalk this improving five year old showed his soft ground defeat in the MM Mile was all down to the conditions as he dug deep today and out battled his rivals. This is his third win of the season and his second graded stakes and I think he may well become a leading fancy for one of the BC races.
2nd Wincrea, trained by Running Farms
Was never far away and battled on well for second although he always looked like being held by the winner. This was a good effort over a trip that always looked a furlong short and I suspect he will be back in the winner’s circle before long.
3rd Nutone, trained by Downwind Stables
Got into the stalk from his wide draw and was soon battling for the lead. As they hit the stretch he had every chance but just battled in the end and had to settle for third beaten less than a length. This wasn’t a bad effort as it was his first at this level and I would imagine he deserves another crack at black type.
4th Great Tiny Tap Q, trained by Nakamura Stables
Trailed the field and ran on strongly too late to be a close fourth. It looks like turf may well be his best surface and with an extra furlong or two we may see him getting into this type of race in the future.
5th Hidden Place, trained by Nakamura Stables
Made the early running but faded badly at the end. I suspect this was a rabbit for his stable companion so this run is probably best forgiven.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
