 Classic Challenge Final Juvenile Colts  2200m Dirt 29th March 2012 |
This Season's Contenders By Trainer
| Horse : Kings Parade | Trainer : Australian Stables |
Kings Parade won his maiden on muddy ground and later in the season, followed home the incomparable, Dezza, over the extended trip of 2400m, again on the sticky stuff. Prior to that half length defeat, he had turned in a good effort when winning a full field second instance on similar conditions, resulting in his 2lb penalty for this race. His form away from the dirt wouldn't inspire you to put your house on him but that surface is obviously unfavourable to the horse. Back on the dirt for this final, hopefully grabbing his best going, he could be a threat. 2400m is probably his best classic distance but nevertheless, the penalty isn't too harsh and he may be one for the shortlist.
| Horse : Maximos | Trainer : Longbridge Stud |
Maximos is the jewel in Longbridge Stud's small yard and has served his master well this term, putting in some decent efforts in the series. He has scored two wins on his way to this final and that could halt any ambition he has of crowning glory. A 4lb penalty is a lot to carry when most around him will be in receipt of weight. After cracking his maiden, he went on to score the yards first ever challenge qualifier win when landing the spoils over the final trip of 2200m. The order of the day was muddy then and the lack of runs over fast could suggest that he is preferred on this going. He will need a lot to fall into place to stand any chance in this race but the handicap may be too much to ask against a field of seasoned pros.
| Horse : Harjab (ENG) | Trainer : Amber Fields |
Another mud lark, Harjab (ENG) will have to rely on the rain coming. His route to this final has been difficult by his yards admission, "It has been rally tough with this one. He will need the ground to be muddy to be in with any chance. I would really hope he can place and his 120lb weight will stand him a chance, that could make all the difference." Amber Fields' expectations of the horse are not set too high and if he was to run a big race, connections would seem to be pleased enough, though, I think there are better animals around him and he might get caught out by a few. He is no forlorn hope in the race but for me, he needs to find a bit extra on the night.
| Horse : Diamond Mojo, My Name Is Bond, King Mojo | Trainer : The Free And Easys |
The Free And Easys holds a strong hand in this race. For starters, King Mojo looks a class act. His efforts over classic trips do favour 2400m and although there are a couple of eye catching runs over 2200m, they may flatter to deceive. I think his main aim this season will be to target the stayers final and he may be focussed on that race more with his yards eyes on the bigger picture. Nevertheless, you cannot rule out a big run from this horse on muddy ground. The yard has the perfect set-up with his other runner completing the fast-muddy combination. My Name Is Bond will crave fast ground. He ran a monster of a race in defeat, early in the season, coming home behind Makhpiyaluta and despite taking a bit of time to wind up this term, once he had cracked his maiden, he set about the task, often running on ground that didn't suit the horse. The minimum weight is key for this horse, coupled with a fast going and he could be a potential champion. Diamond Mojo looks weighted out of this one after picking up his third win of the season in a recent series race. He will enjoy the mud but the stable companions of this one appear to have him covered. He is not slouch though, evident in the way he ran behind Gentleman Earl in a recent WFA. The fact that he ran there suggests to me that the yard are willing for this one to be a non trier in the race. I would have to swerve this one at 124lb.
| Horse : Diamond Circles | Trainer : Osyth Lodge |
Diamond Circles has shown enough to warrant his place in this final but I will take a punt on him struggling a bit in this final. If he hadn't been burden with a weight penalty, he might have had a chance of sneaking a place and despite some decent efforts over the classic trips, including a sixth place behind Ladbrokes Monthly Final winner, Dezza, a run in the stayers consolation will probably reap more reward. I don't think the ground will bother him too much but the opposition he faces, certainly will.
| Horse : Kingstonne Town, Suarez Is King | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
Judging the manner in which Suarez Is King ran prior to his stable switch, I would have to say that he would favour fast ground. Sky Castle Stables, therefore, balance the scales of opportunity with their other runner, Kingstonne Town, showing up best on the mud. The latter is something of an enigma in this race, as are many of the yards final runners, past and present. In fact, it is easier to say that you just don't know how good they are until the starter raises his flag, such is the way in which the yard goes about getting their horses to a final. One thing remains constant, the yard are no stranger to winning this race, lifting the title on multiple occasions, most recently with Randwick. Suarez Is King looks a fine colt and should the ground come to his liking, he will be up there amongst them and it is probably safe to say that his stable companion in this race will benefit from the flipside of that coin. I expect a bold show from the colours, whatever the going.
| Horse : Normal Norman | Trainer : G1 Racing |
This one is a little tricky to decipher. On first glance it appears that he may enjoy a run on muddy ground or at least, a little cut in the ground, judging by his efforts on the turf. Strangely though, I am inclined to think that he may benefit more from a fast surface. I may be totally wrong in my appraisal but one thing is clear, his credentials are far better over 2200m than 2400m, I think he struggles to get the extended trip. It's probable that he isn't as classy as others in the race, which may result in a struggle for him to show up close in this race. He appears out of this, well at least, according to what I've written here but sometimes I get it all wrong, maybe I have here. The proof is in the pudding as far as I am concerned.
| Horse : Book Of Kells | Trainer : Eire Stables |
Ladbrokes Monthly Challenge Final runner-up, Book Of Kells, held every chance behind eventual race winner, Dezza. The rain is what this bad boy will desire, anything other than that will end his quest for success. Should he fail to receive his favoured going in this, he will have a consolation race in the stayers division to fall back on. If I know the trainer, his effort will be completely focussed on this richer prize. He will go to post with an added 2lb, a small enough burden to carry but in a race where fractions of a length can make all the difference, one or two may just be weighted better.
| Horse : Richie Incognito, Mavatorian Beast, Amazon One | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
The champion has spent close on £1400 combined for his three representatives in this race and a win in the race would all but clear that investment. Two of the three will come into the race off the minimum weight. Mavatorian Beast is likely to be the yards first string to cover the muddy option as he appears to enjoy a dip of the toe. Earlier runs in the Monthly Series saw him put in a few decent efforts on a harder surface and he may well be only a little behind in class, should fast ground come. With added interest in the stayers division, he may run this race slightly below full fitness, aiming for a double swoop later in the festival. The same could be said about Richie Incognito. A dual finalist also, who appears best suited to fast ground. On the face of things, his muddy form has not been too shabby, although he is more likely to excel on firm ground. If he is able to transfer that ability to a sound dirt surface, a good run in the race is not beyond him. Of the three runners to carry the colours, the natural classic horse would be Amazon One. He will carry a weight penalty in the race, unlike his two friends from the yard, it's not a lot, only 2lbs and he is quite capable of shouldering the burden. He will rely on fast going to prove his worth and with a good draw he could stoke the leaders close home.
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