Greenwood Cup – Grade III
1 1/2 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $200.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Real One Nakamura Stables Lopez P

The trainer managed to set this race up perfectly as the stable mate led out at just an average pace and it allowed this one the perfect stalk and in the end a comfortable win. The draws have been key at PRX today and this was was always good enough in an even field if things went well for him which they did, A five year old he has been really consistent especially from this sort of position and whilst he is no world beater he is certainly the type we would all want in our stable.

2nd Spankersville The Sidley Stud Saez L

Stayed on well for second but whilst the modest early pace allowed him to be closer than he has recently the sprint down the stretch certainly didn’t suit closer’s. A good enough effort i still feel he is yet to really fulfill his full potential.

3rd Kick Rocks Nakamura Stables Rodriguez A R

When this one went to the front in a modest opening half i thought back to his Valedictory Stakes win at the end of last year over this trip when he made all to win i a faster time than this one was won in today. I was a little surprised then when he gave up so easily and faded into a distant third today which suggests to me that he may just be getting to a stage in his career when the improvement curve has flattened out. A good effort for the team but a little weak at the end.

4th Twin Mondays Night Rider Stables Espinoza V

I find it just a little bemusing that this one could finish in front of a horse like Buck in any circumstances but at HRP there aren’t too many differences between cheap claimer and stakes winner so it shouldn’t really be a shock. A great effort and yet another ‘find’ for the stable.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES