HOL Derby – Grade I
DMR Race #8 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Decibel, trained by Threshold
A nose second in the BEL Derby behind Clockwork Chai catapulted this one into the big time but a series of wide draws since have made it difficult for him to maintain that form. A good win in the Commonwealth Derby helped him squeak into the BC Turf but coming off the AE list and into the widest gate gave him no real hope of being a player. He goes from the outside extreme to the inside extreme today which will certainly help his cause if the BC appearance hasnt taken too much out of him.
2 Cherokee Charlie, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Was bought cheaply after winning a claimer back in the summer and has done pretty well since. Probably his best performance came last time out when he broke 1.33 for the mile in winning the ungraded English Channel by a length. A consistent sort he has recorded some high speed figures this Autumn and whilst his bare form doesnt shout winner a great draw and that nice win last time give him a realistic chance.
3 Bridge Art, trained by Big Guns Stable
Another with some fair form but not at this level he managed triple digit speed figures last time out when a very close third in the Lawless Stakes. A lightly raced sort he won his maiden when going over a mile for the one and only time in his career so this trip should suit him. A solid each way chance.
4 Devil Six, trained by Maxmillion Farm
Hailing from a stable with plenty of turf talent he ran a cracker in the turf mile at the BC meet to be fourth beaten just a length. The winner of the LRL Turf Cup before that breaking 1.33 for the mile he certainly has the form to be a major player. Strong works, a decent draw and very consistent form at the highest level will see this one start favourite.
5 The Laffin Sniper, trained by Diablo Diablo
Second to Decibel in the Commonwealth Derby that was a much improved effort after being beaten at Allowance level previously. That really is the only piece of form that gives him a chance here but he has had a decent rest whilst the principal runners have been busy taking on the BC so that will give him a slight advantage.
6 Sleet, trained by Maxmillion Farm
Its difficult to know which of the stables runners has the better chance as this one is proven at the trip and like almost all of the yards horses looks a real good turf type. He just got nutted in the twilight Derby last time but prior to that had won the Hill Prince, both times making the running so i would assume this one will go forward and the stable mate will go back. A tough gelding and if he gets a soft lead will be difficult to get past.
7 City Ball Drop, trained by Pan Farms
Managed to beat Sleet in the Twilight Derby and has some solid top level form as well giving him a nice chance in an even looking field. His dirt racing saw him a close fifth in the Awesome Again and an even closer fourth in the Haskell and as HRP seems to have little definition between dirt and turf he made the transition pretty easily to win that one and only start on turf. A reproduction of that Twilight win will see him very close to winning this.
8 Funny One, trained by Mb Stables
It’s unusual to see the stable with just one runner but despite a nasty draw he looks to have a decent chance. A super run in the DMR Mile saw him third just a length off of the winner and a long break has seen him lay down some fast works so he may have improved more than some of the others in the field. Mb will have to work his gaming magic with the draw but if he does this one could be a winner.
SUMMARY
An interesting race with a couple coming out of good runs in the BC and a couple that look like they are improving. I rather like City Ball Drop but the draw bothers me the same with Funny One so looking inside of those two then Devil Six and Decibel will be dangerous if the BC didnt take too much out of them.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
