Pattison Canadian International – Grade I
WO Race #5 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $1,000.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Cju, trained by Maxmillion Farm
One of the few four year olds that has managed to beat a few three year olds in stakes races this year he was most impressive in the grade two Sky Classic when making all for an unchallenged one length win. That was his first ever run on turf after a career built on the dirt and i must admit i was a bit dubious of that form as HRP seems to have a glitch when it comes to good horses switching surfaces for the first time. His second life time start on turf however proved that theory to be misplaced as he again tried to run on the speed before weakening into a very good third in the Northern Dancer BC Turf. That run was from a wide gate so he had little choice in going out too fast and weakening so in the circumstances it was a very good run. Today he gets the ace alley and with his on pace running style he will be very hard to beat.
2 Gallivant, trained by Australia Wide
The surprise winner of the very competitive PEN Mile he went on to finish a close up eighth in the BEL Derby before an excellent second in the grade one Secretariat Stakes. Those three runs were hug and put his very close to the top of his generation but his last start was a bit random as can happen at HRP at times. That run was in the Commonwealth Derby and he looked like a dead cert on his previous form but ended up running a one paced third. It may have been that run that caused Joshua Stables to sell him for a very cheap looking $175.000 to Australia Wide, but there were a few excuses for that run and I think he may prove to be a bit of a bargain for the former champion trainer. His three good runs were all under the guidance of F Pennington but his last start saw Prado take the reins and that may have been the difference. Today Pennington is back on board thanks to his new owners success and i fully expect him to run a big race.
3 Spotted Cat, trained by Blushing Meadows
I have liked this horse from the days it was a TC prospect but his deep closing running style has always made things very difficult for him. In his last start by luck or by design he ran on the pace and probably put in the best run of his career going down by a neck in the Sword Dancer. The outside speed push may have been the influence that day but i am sure his experienced trainer noticed the improved run and will set him up to get close early on from this inside draw. I expect another big effort from this four year old today but so much will rely on how he starts, one things for sure he will run you a big race if you have your HRP dollars on him.
4 Sri Lanka, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy
This is a tough old warrior winning eleven of his forty seven starts for over a $1,000.000 in career earnings. His form has hiccupped this year but his works are still very good and we saw a surprise seven year old grade one winner last weekend so you cant write him off in HRP land. Another on pace runner a lot will depend on the pace and his start.
5 Volare, trained by Axeman
This amazing six year old mare has been taking on the boys in her last two starts and proving that she can certainly live with them with two excellent seconds. She loves these extreme distances and always gives her best late in the race which may play into her hands with a few on pace runners inside her. She was a length in front of Cju in the Northern Dancer so has every chance of a famous victory here today.
6 Make Change, trained by Night Rider Stables
This seven year old was ninth in this race last year and hasnt done much to suggest he can improve on that this year. He ran with some credit in The Singspiel so is entitled to be in the field but unless the same Gods that smiled on Night Riders seven year old last week are out in force i cannot see him winning.
7 I Have Arrived, trained by Mb Stables
This three year old improved quickly to take a maiden, an allowance and the grade three Kent Stakes in nine weeks. That improvement continued with a very creditable and close third in the Secretariat where he was a smidgen behind Gallivant. It looked like he was hating the easy surface in the Northern Dancer last time but was soundly beaten and it is difficult to see him coming back from that. His work times are bang on though and with the champion trainer in is corner his chances cant be overlooked.
8 Dropped Call, trained by Threshold
Has improved since moved to the turf and won a competitive Robellion Stakes last time. There’s no doubt he has ability but this is a big step up for the promising router.
9 Big Daddy Z, trained by Australia Wide
Campaigned in sprints on the statebred circuit he stepped out of the division to take on the DMR Derby. Somewhat surprisingly he won that race fairly easily by a length recording a 102 speed figure. It was either a stroke of genius or just the mile work that convinced Australia Wide to move it up in distance but the way he very nearly got up late to win the Hirsch last time suggests he has always needed this sort of trip. His works are very sharp and that last effort was huge so he gives the Australian a very strong and in this race. If this race goes the way of so many this year and is taken by a three year old this could well be the one.
10 Party Prep, trained by Kopites
A decent sort, but this is a hot field and with a tough draw, I cant see him troubling the pay checks.
11 Grande Sournoise, trained by Drabfantasy
He has run creditably in most of the top turf routes this year so deserves a crack at this very tough race to win. A very strong third in the grade one United Nations preceded a better than it looked fifth in the Arlington Million. He then won the Kentucky Turf Cup with a massive late run, probably his best performance of the year and the wide gate may help him as he will almost certainly be hauled to the back of the field again. His last start in the Hirsch saw him finish behind Big Daddy Z and its hard to see him turning the tables on that one was a similar draw in this.
12 Exactly As Palnned, trained by Maxmillion Farm
Had been running well in statebred Allowances before a big effort in the Kentucky Turf Cup, not far behind Grand Sournoise. e is entitled to get right in this again and his works are very good but a horrible draw will make it very tough.
13 Desolation Island, trained by Mb Stables
Took the Makers Mark Mile at grade one before the three year olds joined the party and has run creditably without winning since. He ran a huge race to be third in the Arlington Million the time before last and was a late finishing fourth in the Northern Dancer last time. His trainer is a master of the wide post but he will have his work cut out to get this one in the winners circle. He has the works and the form though so with a bit of luck and the fact the four year olds have been given a little boost he could be in the mix at the end.
SUMMARY
Wow what a race with just about every runner in with a chance and none that would look out of place in a Breeders Cup. As usual i think the three year olds may edge it but the four year olds are a bit closer now so it wont be as clear cut as it has been. Gallivant and Big Daddy Z give Australia wide the pair of aces with I have Arrived and Volare right in it. Spotted Cat and Cju may be the best of the four year olds. So you coud easily go for any of them or go right outside the box and try Dropped Call for a big each way bet.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
