Some more spectating from the sidelines when several horses Vertigal had raced and paced against line up in two states on Friday night – the 13th.
In New South Wales there is the Pink Bonnet a classic event for 2yo fillies whilst in Victoria it is the semi-finals of the Australian Breeders Crown. We’ll reproduce and comment on the previews from http://www.harness.org.au
The Pink Bonnet Preview
The feature race on the program is as open as the Sydney heads with at least five strong winning chances from the nine runners engaged. SOUNDS SO GOOD (7) has raced with distinction throughout her Sires’ Stakes and Breeders’ Challenge campaigns this season, finishing third and fourth in the finals’ of those series’ behind top fillies Madame Lily and Vertigal respectively. She deserves to be rated on top. ELTONRAMA (5) is the most inexperienced filly in the field but she is a progressive type and looks the value runner of the field ahead of BEACH FANTASY (6), while both STELLAR SPIRIT (2) and ZENYATTA (3) will have their admirers in a race where luck in running and tactical nous is likely to decide the result.
SELECTIONS: SOUNDS SO GOOD (7), ELTONRAMA (5), BEACH FANTASY (6), ZENYATTA (3).
Our thoughts: Well the depth of Vertigal form suggests a Sounds So Good / Zenyatta quinella. Sounds So Good is drawn wide but began like a rocket in the final of the Breeders Challenge and if she replicates that could well lead from the outside gate at Harold Park. Zenyatta death seated to win the Breeders Challenge regional consolation although Sounds So Good may provide some sterner opposition especially if she leads.
Breeders Crown Preview
HUTCHY SAYS: LIVELY MOTH (11) is Victoria’s best filly and although drawn awkwardly, is certainly the one they have to beat. She won the Tatlow here in May, came from the second line when taking the lead away from PASSIONS PROMISE (10) and cut down by that filly in a heat of the Vicbred, then flashed home late to beat Aussie Made Lombo in the final, and was an easy heat winner of this series at Yarra Valley a fortnight ago. PASSIONS PROMISE (10) is a classy filly who, after beating LIVELY MOTH (11) in her heat of the Vicbred, was luckless from the second line in the final, then locked away until the race was over when third to LIVELY MOTH (11) at Yarra Valley before an easy all the way victory in a repechage of this series here last week. Alford is a genius with these sit/sprinters and she has strong claims. BELLA SHINE (4) is a tough NSW performer who was outstayed narrowly by SHEEZALLATTITUDE (8) in the NSW Breeders Final at Menangle, then made two moves when a gallant second here last week to PASSIONS PROMISE (10). With that filly going to the second line, she can reverse that decision. Fellow NSW performer SHEEZALLATTITUDE (8) has been a standout at this level all season but is a front of the field filly who draws awkwardly. Don’t discount her, she’s all class. Each way chances to GIGGLING GIRL (2) and BETTOR GIVE IT NZ (5), who are up in grade but racing well.
Our thoughts: Hutchy we had a group one race denied to us in Bathurst and he’s relieving us of the Breeders Challenge above! Bella Shine was outstayed by Sheezallttitude in the ABC heat, not the Breeders Challenge final. Anyway, Sheezallattitude cops the worst draw she could get on the inside of the second line. Bella Shine fared a lot better in four and she has shown she has plenty of ability and both have improved since Bulli, where we also raced Giggling Girl who is drawn to be prominent from barrier two. We may be competitors on the racetrack but we’ll be hoping the NSW fillies qualify for the final.
FWIW we’ve also suggested to the powers that be in upcoming seasons they may want to look at the timing of the time-honoured Pink Bonnet. For the best horses it directly clashes with the Breeders Crown. It is also the only feature race at the end of the season the best part of two months back from the Breeders Challenge. For Vertigal it is more valuable for her to be spelling for a full two months than kept in work for one race
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