March 15, 2016
So many options. So many champions. The Grade I Kilroe Mile brought out the very best turf milers over a very firm SA turf and at the end of it, a Grade I winner proved the best but certainly not the one everyone expected, and that was 18-1 longshot Tin Lizzie for owner Stald Gullis. A massive upset winner of the Grade I Read Stakes last year at DMR, he was second throughout in the Sensational Star but used a clear off-the-pace tactic at the longer distance and sprung the upset by a nose, pushing his earnings over $750.000 in the process.
There was absolutely no early pace in the Kilroe Mile and no one really wanted to go to the lead so almost by default, Jamfest (5.40) took the early lead before Sri Lanka (11.35) moved up from the farthest gate to engage him. Knowing they needed to run hard into the first turn or get caught wide, the two veterans sprinted after a modest first fraction of 23.08 and with favourite Dogs Infowarrior (*3.55) hot on their tail, the pace quickened noticeably into the backstretch. Unfortuantely, Sri Lanka took almost a half-mile to get down the rail with the favourite holding him wide and passed the middle in 45.73, fractions started to play to the stalkers with Mister Major (66.55) outside and Sander Clegane (4.95) in amongst the fence. As the field marched into the far turn, Sri Lanka was still on a loose rein with Dogs Infowarrior struggling to keep pace, Jamfest coming back between runners and Seven Years (12.85) inching closer out wide and with six-furlongs up in 1:08.90, the race was up for grabs. Jamfest had the lead with a furlong to run as Sri Lanka held on gamely but while Dogs Dragon (13.65) between horses and Seven Years outside tried to sprint, the best late kick came from outsider Tin Lizzie (18.05), who rocketed from last to first to grab all the marbles. His nose decision over a stubborn Jamfest, a resolute Seven Years, a closing Dogs Dragon and a tiring Sri Lanka made him a duel Grade I winner, with Bad Mouth (7.60) closing out wide to finish in midpack. Iron Mann (9.35) and Bombastic Kathology (6.85) made no headway from their inside posts, Swamp Fox (134.10) ran to his odds and Sandor Clegane, Mister Major and a lackluster Dogs Infowarrior brought up the rear with only three-lengths separating the field.
The fractions in the Grade I Kilroe Mile set up perfectly for a closer and Tin Lizzie was the best of the best, just as he was in the Read last year when he upset a field there that also included tough runner-up Jamfest. How many of these horses ship to KEE for the Grade I Makers Mark Mile is yet to be seen but there is plenty to like from many of the runners with special kudos going to the winner, who proved himself as tough four-year-old for the future.
Congratulations goes out to owner Stald Gullis and their four-year-old gelding Tin Lizzie, a last to first winner of the Grade I Kilroe Mile at SA!
Prediction Seven Years / Jamfest / Sri Lanka
Winner Tin Lizzie
Four-year-old bay gelding
Thats Entertainment-Wang Dang Lizzie (Wang Dang Spirit)
Owner Stald Gullis
Time 23.08, 45.73, 1:08.90, 1:33.00
Overall
Tin Lizzie 18.05 last year, wide rally, up in time
Jamfest 5.40 fell into midpack, resolute into lane, missed
Seven Years 12.85 between runners, wide into stretch, evened out
Dogs Dragon 13.65 caught late amongst rivals
Sri Lanka 11.35 set torrid pace, faded in final furlong
Bad Mouth 7.60 even effort
Iron Mann 9.35 no threat from inside
Bombastic Kathology 6.85 no factor
Swamp Fox 134.10 no factor
Sandor Clegane 4.95 brief speed, tired
Mister Major 66.55 no late gains outside
Dogs Infowarrior *3.55 pressed, faded badly
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
