The Fleet Sprint Handicap – Grade III
OP Race #2 6f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.00 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 Carry The Lines, trained by Chili King Stables
A decent sort in overnights he takes his chance here in the hope a few pounds will turn him into a big race winner. That weight allowance wouldnt be enough against the best of these in real life but at HRP a pound seems to be the equivalent to a stone so its possible he could surprise from an ideal draw. A decent winner over this trip at GP last time i cant put him in the same class as the principles here so reckon he only has an outside chance of some place money.
2 Blame Ratman, trained by Defoe
A consistent sort he was bought for just ten dollars from Australia Wide after a few decent efforts in non graded stakes. The best of those runs was when a half length second in the Gravesend Handicap and he ran pretty well in the other two as well. A return to his three year old glory days when he won the grade one SA Sprint Championship and was only beaten a length in the BC Sprint would see him go very close today especially with a competitive weight to carry. Not a sure thing but a fair enough chance from a decent draw.
3 Jesse The Bandit, trained by Scarletandgraystable
He has taken on a new lease of life since being bought for just twenty five dollars at auction. A great second in the Midnight Lute Stakes was followed by a gutsy dead heat with Sqawilther in the Palos Verdes Stakes where he had Rock Boat behind but the handicapper seems to have noticed the improvement and has given him top weight to carry here. An improving sort who is working well but top weight is almost impossible to win with at HRP so i cant get too enthusiastic about him winning.
4 Rock Boat, trained by Night Rider Stables
A grand old sprinter who is showing no signs of slowing down. Only a length behind Jesse The Bandit he gets a 4 Lb pull in the weights and that may be enough to see him reverse that result. He won the Fool Handicap in his last start showing that he is on top of his game so i would expect another big effort today.
5 The Rook, trained by D J C Racing Stables
A nice enough sort but he was well behind Rock Boat in the Fool Handicap and i see no reason that he could turn that around. He has some good efforts to his name so there is no reason he cant get into the action but he may find one or two too good.
6 Superwillie, trained by Ekli Stable
Third in the Fool Handicap under a big weight he goes down in the weights today for some reason and is on a much better mark. He has run some good races in top company in the past so again he is in the mix in a tight looking race.
7 On High Alert, trained by Mb Stables
Won the Carry Back last season at grade three but hasnt been tested yet this season. He was sent to lowly TAM last time to win a little allowance race so it is hard to judge whether he is back to stakes winning form but he won in a fast time and is working well so you could probably take his readiness on trust. A low handicap mark and the top trainer are two big plus’s but i think there are a couple that may be better today.
8 Moriches Bay, trained by TwinTowersRacing
A neck second in the Fool Handicap he actually goes down in the weights so must have a big chance of repeating that run. The downside to his chances is he still only has one win to his name but that doesnt mean much here at HRP and he is working well enough to suggest this low mark may see him spring a surprise.
9 Sindaco Di Firenze, trained by Kopites
Bought for $150 this five year old is the class horse of the race. His neck second in last years BC Sprint and win in the grade two Phoenix are by far the best form in this race but this is a handicap and thats what may make the difference. 121 Lbs and a wide draw could be enough to see him come back to his rivals and with work times just the same as everyone else he just becomes another good chance.
10 Cool Daddy, trained by Brave
A nice enough sort he ran well to be second in the Taboogan and then ran on from a tough spot to be beaten just two lengths in the GP Sprint Championship. He gets a competitive handicap mark in this and is a fast sort who can live with the best of these he just has a wide draw to beat and he should be in the money.
11 Double C, trained by Team 7 Illusions
He has a great record but this is his first serious test after winning some overnights and a state bred stakes race. If you look at his form he looks the type that is ready to break through and as he also has one of the fastest work times in the race it makes him an attractive selection. Theres always a downside though and his is the draw which will make it very tough in a big field. If he can get the stalk somewhere close to the rail he may be the pick in a tough race to call.
12 Oh Awesome One, trained by John Henry
Beaten just a length in the BC Sprint last year from a similar draw he also ran well in the GP Sprint championship from a wide gate. The trouble is in both runs he took the wide gate speed push and weakened late so you have to expect the same thing to happen here. If by luck John Henry manages to overcome the draw and get him a little off the pace he may run a big race.
SUMMARY
This is a real tricky race with the class horses carrying big weights and drawn wide, a lethal combination at HRP. Although drawn wide i think Double C could be the choice with maybe Sindaco Di Firenze somewhere in the first three along with On High Alert or Superwillie.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
