The Go For Wand Handicap – Grade III
AQU Race #2 1m Dirt Stake
Purse $200.000  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.  Nomination Fee $27.59 to start. Payout: 1st-60%, 2nd-20%, 3rd-16%, 4th-4%

1st  Dominance  Nakamura Stables  Franco M

It has clearly come to that time of year when some three year olds have turned four in their body if not in the race card. There was a time that a three year old would never carry top weight to victory in an all aged handicap at HRP but with changes to development rates and weight seemingly adjusted this year i have seen many more top weights and a few three year olds now win these types of races. The pace of the race on the off track was clearly going to set it up for closer’s and that was probably because of pace instructions which do not work so well on off tracks. So this filly sat furthest back off the strong pace and came with a brave run to get up right on the line winning by a head in a driving finish.

2nd  Retrospect  Mb Stables  Hernandez R M

Got a good position and came well at the end but just couldn’t accelerate as well as the winner going down by a head. This was a solid enough performance and the winner is a nice three year old but i feel this may be the limit of her abilities at the moment, certainly at the mile anyway.

3rd  Test Code Party  Asgar  Velazquez J R

Tried really hard to the line and ended up third in a blanket finish, this was a fast run race on an off track so you have to treat the form with a bit of trepidation.

4th  Jedediah  D J C Racing Stables  Lopez P

Went right on the speed on a fast pace on an off track so it was a matter of when not if she would get overtaken. She held on very nearly long enough and was only beaten a half length in the end in a brave effort.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES