Ali – Grade III
 KEE   Race #3   1 1/8m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Gotta Believe, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Ran some decent races as a three year old without really breaking through, most notably when sixth in the grade two Amsterdam. A close second in an ungraded statebred stakes at the start of the year was followed by a good third last time out in the grade three Hooper, keeping on nicely at the end. He is no world beater but he is honest and tough and will be sure to be giving his best.

2 Laffin Bunny, trained by Luz International
Won a little statebred stakes at the end of last year and has similar credentials to the horse inside him. A good win at Allowance level last time will have filled him with confidence and put him in good heart for this and decent works suggest he can get into the action.

3 Rajivs Roadblock, trained by Night Rider Stables
Good form at this trip including a win in this race last year. He had a good season as a four year old placing at grade two and three and looked every bit as good on seasonal debut when taking the SSM Classic by a head. His last start saw him drawn wide in the SA Handicap and he ran to HRP script by shooting out of the gate and weakening late. Ignoring that run because of the stupid state of the outside speed push he will have a very good chance of doubling up today.

4 Bo Jangles, trained by John Henry
The winner of the grade one Travers at three he has been off the boil since. If he can come back to that three year old form he would just about win this but 4 starts since suggest otherwise. Its a shot in the dark but he could win if in the right mind.

5 Wild Wizard, trained by Kopites
The stable of the moment he was claimed for just sixteen dollars before winning hos first start for the new stable last time out. That was just a little allowance at TAM though suggesting he may be a little outclassed here.

6 Rapid Refund, trained by Grimley
Now aged seven he had arguably his best season as a six year old finishing a nose runner up in the grade one Woodward and fourth in the Clark Handicap. He looked none the worse for advancing years when fourth in the Poseidon on seasonal debut but was then lumped with a wide draw in the RBC Handicap and took route B in the HRP playbook going to the back and never emerging. Ignoring that run i can see him being competitive here and a top three placing could be on the cards if he can cope with the wide draw better this time.

7 Scott The Great, trained by Nightmare Racing
He was hot on the state bred trail last year placing in the Queens Plate, The prince Of Wales and the Breeders Stakes. He won the TUP Handicap on seasonal debut and then ran a good race from a horrible draw in the Kilroe Mile. A wide draw will make it tough for him again today and his works arent the best but with a bit of luck he will be right in at the finish.
8 Blowin Smoke, trained by Jader Stable
The winner of the grade one Cigar Handicap last year he was bought by fledgling owner Jader stable after a good sixth in the Pegasus World Cup. He ran well below his best in the Skip Away in his first start for the new trainer and with only a few weeks to recover i cant see a rapid improvement today.

SUMMARY
I think this may be between Rajivs Roadblock, Scott The Great and Rapid Refund. Rajiv has the best draw so i will go for him for the win.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES