Sky Classic Stakes – Grade II
1 3/8 Mile Turf Stake Purse $175.00 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Techfluence, trained by The Sidley Stud
Well, though the least well backed horses finished one-two, it was refreshing at last for this reporter to finally write about an older horse beating the three’s. The fact that the reigning BC Turf champ was last and last years Breeders Stakes winner second last, just added to the upside down look to the finish, but at the end of the day a four year old was first and the three’s had to settle for the next three places.
Techfluence has been consistency itself in the last 12 months, and today running the early stalk he dug deep once again to score by a neck. This was a deserved win for the horse who was running his ninth graded stakes in a row, and with only one of those efforts resulting in a none paying finish, it leaves you wondering how he ever started at such long odds.

2nd Controlled Power, trained by Spankys Barn
The most unlikely of the three year olds to finish second, he had won his maiden before finishing fifth in an allowance last time. Going on his running style, it is clear that he needs a test of stamina and as he was drawn wide today, it was sadly obvious what would happen. Shot to the lead by the race engine, he very nearly lasted home but was grabbed as expected inside the last furlong. A different draw would’ve seen him as the one running on at the end, so this was a very good effort considering everything was against him.

3rd No Reason, trained by Mb Stables
He was going for four wins in a row, but go too far back off just an average pace and ended up running on for third.

4th Solow, trained by Smokey Stover
A hard closing fourth in the BEL Derby off a fast pace, today’s slow pace saw him just whack away for a fairly disappointing fourth.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES