King Edward BC Stakes – Grade II
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $200.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Riley Royalty Stables Wilson E J

Well, I must admit I was surprised that this one could run wide off just an average pace and then come through to win with the ease it did. It wasn’t the win as such, this horse had run this time in the Kelso last time and was clearly on that upward improvement curve that four-year-olds tend to get in the second half of the season, it was more the authority he won by. Without much more stakes form than a scrappy State-bred stakes win we only had that last run to go on and, in the end, it was that form that mattered as is so often the case. It will be a race with time now to get him into the BC Mile because I think with the sort of quick improvement he is showing he could definitely be a contender in that race.

2nd Bronze Bomber Threshold Contreras L

I thought when he landed on the pace and took the lead rounding the turn that he would hold on today but as usual, the outside finished harder than the inside and he was run down. He continues to run good races and may have needed this run after a mid-season break so I am pretty sure he will remain competitive through the rest of the year.

3rd Grand Opening Riggins Racing Stein J

Closed for a close third but never looked like getting to the winner. Racing style doesn’t seem to be a thing these days and where they end up in the run seems to depend solely on the pace of the race and the draw because he has been very successful when leading with 4 of his latest front-running efforts resulting in wins, today however he went to the back and made ground nicely like a good closer should but never looked like getting there. He is a good one and has come a long way in the hands of this top trainer and when the race engine works for him, he is very good, I guess the question will be, in his next race, where will he end up in the run?

4th Moonlight Special Allinthegate Crawford J

Stayed on for fourth and ran well enough without being a winning factor. I feel that he may need a bit further at this sort of level, but you can’t knock his record.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES