Nearctic Stakes – Grade II
6 Furlongs Turf Stake Purse $250.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.
With three lengths first to last and a three year old from the perfect draw with a perfect trip, this was a classic HRP sprint. There were excuses, poor rides, bad trips and i am sure every trainer will be willing to throw their charge straight back into stakes level racing because at the end there was very little between them.
This is how they finished:
1st Pollinate Mb Stables Hernandez R M
I kick myself every time i don’t tip an Mb Stables three year old in an all aged stakes race because invariably he is always able to find one in his stable to win at any level. This one had fair form but to be honest i didn’t think he was going to be quite good enough even with the three year old allowance, especially as he was a length behind his stable mate in the Simpson last time. But the draw and trip are key these days and this one got it all as he ran out a fairly easy three quarter length winner. His form figures look a bit inconsistent but i think that is more down to the closeness of races than any reflection on his temperament. How good is he? Well he only has a couple of months left as a three year old so he will have to be better next year.
2nd The Grandmaster John Henry Tunon M
This great sprinter ran another cracker running in a similar spot to the winner throughout but not able to beat the 3Lbs at the end. This five year old is one of those you love to see because he just gives his all every time he runs.
3rd King Que Niagra D J C Racing Stables Lezcano J
If ever there was a horse that summed up HRP at the moment it is this one. This year he has run in dirt sprints, turf routes, dirt routes and now a turf sprint and in every one he has run with enough merit to convince you that that was his perfect trip and surface. I thought he may win at the furlong pole but he just flattened out in the run to the post and in the end was third by less than a length. This was another great effort and i wonder whether his trainer is scratching his head as much as i am.
4th Cold Weather Rider Night Rider Stables Leparoux J R
Got a bit buried from the one gate but came on really strongly at the end and was probably the fastest last furlong in the race. This was a big effort and i rather think he is an under rated sort who deserves a bit more credit than a fourth place.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
