August 12, 2016

The Vandal Stakes at WO is usually one of the afterthoughts in the two-year-old season yet has been won by some big horses in the past including BC Juvenile and $4,000.000 earner Halfling, Juvenile runner-up and SA Derby winner Righteous and Queens Plate champion Invencible. This year, however, the change has been made to put it on the grass as a prep for the Grade II Summer Stakes and it switches importance, with a turf winner over the course as the likely favourite with five rivals, including a maiden, trying to overtake him before the bigger grass races.

1-Secret City (Two-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Mb Stables)

Gelded off a maiden win, Secret City was unable to close enough at five-furlongs but found plenty at six-furlongs last time out and is well suited for the Vandal with closing speed from the inside. His consistency is a noted factor at this level and like his dam, he is “Ready As Ever” to add a third win to his already budding resume for an owner who won this race two years ago with Bad Mouth.

Analysis-Inside runner should be able to find his kick down the lane

Fair Odds-3/1

2-Destined For The Top (Two-year-old bay colt / Owner-Red Square Stables)

Destined For The Top showed a ton of speed in his turf debut over this course and distance last time and is the most logical favourite in the field, with a top speed rating and sharp interim workouts to his credit. Owner Red Square Stables hits with a very good percentage of their turf starters and his sire is the offspring of one of the best matings in HRP history, with Bronze Sabre and Mrs Bombastic in his lineage.

Analysis-Excellent in his first turf start and should improve

Fair Odds-8/5

3-Macbeth (Two-year-old black colt / Owner-Canadian Racing)

Macbeth came roaring home to score his debut at FE with 10-1 odds and while that might be a good omen, he will have to show more on the grass to hit the board against runners who are proven over the surface. A sharp work-in-company at AP proved that he can go with some of the best in his stable and he could be the sleeper in the field if he takes to the surface.

Analysis-Big turf workout could signal a fondness for the surface

Fair Odds-6/1

4-Palais du Luxembourg (Two-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Blushing Meadows)

Palais du Luxembourg really improved with after being gelded and broke his maiden in powerful style at BTP but that came at 21-1 over the main track and now, he is asked to move to the grass and run back to that big workout at DMR. His sire was a winner on the grass but his famous son Niagra has never raced on the turf and while it might be in him somewhere, it will be a waiting game to see if he handles the grass.

Analysis-Unproven on turf like so many others

Fair Odds-15/1

5-Spanish Gift (Two-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Bigking)

Spanish Gift is still a maiden after two starts and has yet to finish in the top half of either field so the likelihood that he will step up and break his maiden against this caliber of field is unlikely at best. He will be a massive longshot unless that one-mile work at DMR is any indication of talent and since it was not even the best two-year-old work of the day, there is little to think he will be in the hunt.

Analysis-Not a factor

Fair Odds-30/1

6-Ye Charley (Two-year-old bay colt / Owner-Kopites)

Ye Charley was purchased for a huge $200.000 off a maiden score at PEN and closed well with blinkers to finish third behind the likely choice in the Vandal field, who was much closer to the fractions that day and will be once again. The hope is that the added 1/2-furlong will assist him in making a final run and he could closing best of all from his outside stall, with the chance to make his mark later in the meet as the distances stretch out.

Analysis-Should be the best closer in the field

Fair Odds-2/1

Overall

The first and third finishers from a WO allowance renew their battle for a much higher prize in the Vandal Stakes on Sunday afternoon and Destined For The Top looks destined for the victory with an inside run and speed to burn. Ye Charley will be charging down the lane and might be able to get up for a close second to the favourite while Secret City will also be closing but gets an inside post and could run into some traffic trouble if the rail does not open up for him.

Prediction

Win-Destined For The Top (8/5)

Place-Ye Charley (2/1)

Show-Secret City (3/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded