DMR 6 Hope Stakes (GIII)
$100.000 2yo 7f Dirt 120lbs + penalties
A blanket finish and multiple photos were needed to get a winner and separate the field in the 2019 Hope Stakes (GIII) at DMR on Saturday afternoon. When the dust settled and things were sorted out, Arindel’s Aussie Steel proved a nose better than Masons Day to take the graded affair, and the lion’s share of the $100.000 prize. We had a dead heat for third with Guy Lafleur and Angelsinheaven landing on the wire together.
The gate was stuffed and as the twelve combatants got away in good order it was What Moon away quickly from the far outside, Guy Lafleur, Creative Twizt and Anglesinheaven giving chase. Then came Masons Day, Ulster Man, Lucky Bit and Napoleanic War. Behind that foursome was Dangerfield, Midnight Special, then Yankee Doodle Dandy and Aussie Steel was away slowest of all.
Flying down the backside, we now had three and a half furlongs to run and What Moon was in front by two and a half lengths. Angelsinheaven giving chase to that one with Guy Lafleur another length and a half back in third. Creative Twizt on his outside, then a length back to Ulster Man, three wide, Lucky But on the rail and Masons Day between that pair. Another length back to Napoleanic War, Dangerfield a length behind that one, then Midnight Special on the rail, Aussie Steel and Yankee Doodle Dandy was now the trailer.
Around the far turn and to the top of the lane, nearing the furlong marker, Angelsinheaven moved up to take over, Guy Lafleur tracking that one as What Moon put the cue in the rack. Creative Twizt, Lucky But and Masons Day with clear aim, another length to Ulster Man on the outside, Napoleanic War and the rest were needing more on this day.
Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Angelsinheaven with the lead but Guy Lafleur and Masons Day were not about to give up, and now from the far outside, Aussie Steel picking up horses and moving fastest of all… and as the hit the wire it was a four-horse photo. After viewing the instant video replay, the stewards saw that Aussie Steel did in fact get up in the last stride to take the win. Masons Day was second, with Guy Lafleur and Anglesinheaven in a dead heat for the third position. Ulster Man was a half length back in fifth, Lucky But, Yankee Doodle Dandy seventh, Midnight Special, Creative Twizt ninth, Napoleanic War tenth, Dangerfield eleventh and What Moon tiring to be last in the field of twelve.
Aussie Steel is a 2yo bay gelding by Steel Stardom – Fabroztori, by Il Maglio Fabro, and was bred by Noblepark in California. This was his third win from eight starts and his second stakes win, both over the DMR surface. Claimed for $5.000 by his current connections, Arindel, this one seems set for a solid career. Congratulations to the connections and Aussie Steel.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 11 – Aussie Steel | 32.70 | 12.00 | 5.20 |
| 3 – Masons Day | 4.80 | 2.60 | |
| 4 – Guy Lafleur | 3.00 | ||
| 12 – Angelsinheaven | 2.50 |
Track: Fast Time: :223 :451 1:091 1:214
$1 Exacta: 11 – 3 Paid 53.00
$1 Trifecta: 11 – 3 – 4 Paid 675.40, 11 – 3 – 12 Paid 675.40
Scratched: Mystery
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
