The Poker Handicap – Grade III
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $300.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Neto, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Whether it was clever instructions or the best AI this four year old ended up winning this race by a pretty easy length. Taken back early he stayed wide picking that motorway that the horses found last week on this track and ran the perfect race picking off the leaders down the stretch. His form didnt look good enough going into this race but his works have been good suggesting he could run a big race from a low rating in the handicap. There are three possibles to attribute this win to. The best ground in the centre track, the gelding operation after his last run which brought about the improvement in form to match his works or the best AI and instructions. I guess we will find out which one it was in his next start.

2nd What A Guarantee, trained by John Henry
definitely the unlucky horse in the race not only did he have to suffer the slower inner part of the track he was hopelessly blocked for most of the race too. Once he found a gap he flew home but the race was over and he did the best he could to grab second. His last two starts have shown a return to his best form and i have put him in my black book for next time.

3rd Eighth Street, trained by Mb Stables
Another solid run from this consistent horse but he may be just a shade better on dirt.

3rd Midway, trained by Axeman
Considering he was lumped with top weight and a wide draw he ran a magnificent race to dead heat for third. Not only did he have to cope with those factors he also got the wide gate speed push and was then placed on the rail which has been notoriously slow this past week. He drifted off the rail as they hit the stretch which allowed him to keep going very gamely for third and make no bones this was a great effort by a very nice horse.

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