Victoria Stakes
6 Furlongs Turf Stake Purse $125.000 Open 2 Year Olds.
1st Armor Plate, trained by Barcelona Farms
As the race split into two groups from the gate, the larger group going for the lead and a smaller group dropping back Armor Plate kept his rail position and also kept out of the speed duel. Settling a few lengths off the lead into the first turn he was always travelling well and when asked to quicken he made a gap and went for it. It took him a while but he outstayed his nearest rivals down the stretch and won by three quarters of a length at the post. This pretty much confirmed this gelding as a turfer and I would’ve thought he would comfortably get a mile too.
2nd Lady Lois Of Wynne, trained by Drabfantasy
Was drawn wide and was kept wide going into the top turn challenging for a stalk but held 4 of the rail. She showed plenty of heart to eventually get to the front despite being pushed wider and wider and then kept on gamely when she tired to hold onto second. There’s no doubt she would’ve been closer to the winner with a better run and this was a great effort by this filly. Still a maiden she looks a shoe in if she returns to that company for her next start.
3rd Star Of India, trained by Red Square Stables
Never went for the rail but instead tried to get a position just behind the speed duel. He looked for a while like he was going to find a gap and run past them but he took a while to find a gear and got going a bit too late. This was a good effort but an improvement on this will be needed to reverse the placings.
4th Spiritual Ghost, trained by Drabfantasy
Broke well but was dropped out of the early rush eventually finding the rail through the top turn and still close enough to mount a challenge later on. All that effort was a waste of time however as she was taken wide again into the stretch eventually running on into fourth spot. This was a good effort in only her second start and I would imagine she would be a force in this grade against her own sex.
5th Rising Light
This race was all about early speed but Rising light had none and dropped back into the trail a long way off the leaders by the top turn. Getting into the race too late he flew late for an eye-catching fifth.
6th Removed By Fire
Broke nicely and got to the rail and into a stalk by the top turn but could never find a higher gear and just whacked away in the end.
7th End Of War
Missed the break apparently and was never going to make up the nine lengths lost in the first two furlongs. He ran on well enough and wasn’t beaten far in the end.
8th Rounder
Broke up with the leaders and settled into the chasing stalkers by the top turn but drifted wide in the stretch and never really looked to be going well enough.
9th Simply Magic
Was taken back and then booted up wide to try and get some sort of position. This was a terrible early ride from the jockey who killed off any chances this horse had.
10th Hanjeleena
The wide speed push carried Hanjeleena to the front after two furlongs but three wide and on the lead is a pretty terrible place to be on this race engine and she weakened pretty quickly to be a lack lustre tenth.
11th An Omery One
Either missed the break or the jockey had a brain explosion and thought nine lengths off the lead after two furlongs was a good place to be. Went nowhere much after that and lost interest.
12th Different Dogma
Got into the early speed dual and held a close stalk into the top turn but faded badly into last spot. Considering she was on debut this was pretty much expected but I would’ve liked to see her last a bit longer than she did.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
