 Newbury Colts Sprint Final  1200m Dirt 28th March 2012 |
This Season's Contenders
| Horse : Running Kick Butt, Running Power | Trainer : Derekw10 |
Of the pair that Derek saddles in this final, the handicap has probably got the measure of Running Kick Butt. He has not been blessed at all with the draw and his weight, I feel, will contribute to him being out of this from the off. He is likely to relish fast ground, like his mate, Running Power, who covers the surface well enough. The draw has been kinder to the yards second finalist, pushing him further to the outside, a position which is well heralded at Dubai. You would have to say that the latter is now the main hope for the yard and making the frame in this race is not beyond the charge. With nearly all the field lumbered with weight on their back, it's a pretty open race.
| Horse : Pilot Santaros | Trainer : Juliussilas |
Pilot Santaros has never won a race over 1200m on the dirt and it is hard to see him breaking that run of six here. He performs better over 1400m, five of his six wins have come over this trip. His best is likely to be on display when the ground is fast but with a nightmare of a draw, his chances in this look numbered. I can't make a strong case for this one in the race.
| Horse : Capitan Americano, Shah Jehan | Trainer : Shotgun Mike |
Capitan Americano is a star horse over 1200m and would take a lot of beating if the ground came up fast. I'm not convinced that his win on 20th February was intended, burdening him with his weight penalty. He will have to go some to overcome a tricky draw but he looks strong enough in his make-up to do this and despite the myths of the outside runners favoured on these conditions, I still think he can run a big race. I know little, or nothing about the yards second runner and he is a horse that has slipped under my radar. He is one of only three to come into the race without a weight penalty and has shown some encouraging efforts over 1200m on dirt. He might well perform on either fast or muddy but slap bang in the heart of the field, a quick exit is required to put distance between those on his inner and outer. Could be the dark horse of the field.
| Horse : Gothic Crusade | Trainer : Champ Hills |
Half of this horses career wins have come on 1200m muddy ground, and therein lies his chance in this race. He was sold in the February auctions with enough points already racked, to ensure a consolation race at minimum. His new yard have continued his route to this final with an additional four runs under his belt. He is probably a bit behind some of these on ability and hasn't been blessed too kindly with the draw, I'd have to pass on this one becoming the champion.
| Horse : Bright Sparky, Baracoodahhh, Perfect Friend, Rebellious Spirit | Trainer : Halligan Racing Club |
Halligan Racing Club has numbers in this, Bright Sparky hasn't performed very well over dirt tracks and 1200m, in his career. The only win to his name on these conditions came in a lowly A&B Division race in October 2011, I can't fancy his chance in this at all. Baracoodahhh, on the other hand, looks a different proposition on the dirt altogether. He has winning form on either going and won on the mud, just this week, in the last qualifier of this series. In The Nunthorpe, a couple of seasons back, he put in an impressive display on fast ground, which strengthens his position in this race, as I don't think the ground will bother him much. The only negative I can find, is the draw and this could slow him a touch but like Capitan Americano before him, he is not without chances. Rebellious Spirit, last seasons Nunthorpe Champion, looks outclassed in this with no form of note over the trip and will struggle from the off with a hefty weight to shoulder. The last of the four, Perfect Friend, has shown a bit in his races to suggest that 1200m is up his street. He is handily placed for a run but I am not convinced he has the attributes of some others in the race. He can certainly ruffle a few feathers and if, on the night, the gaps appear, he could surprise a few. I don't think he will win but a podium may not be out of the question.
| Horse : Run For Shreck, A Bad Day For You | Trainer : Unconte Stable |
There is not a lot to shout about for the yards first runner, Run For Shreck. His 1200m form is sparse and he only has the one win at this level and that came on the turf in a second instance Nunthorpe trial. He is certainly suited by the longer sprint trip and a midfield draw has not enhanced his chance here. The one positive to come from this race is that he remains well weighted for a shot next season. A Bad Day For You, unlucky in The Nunthorpe, a couple of seasons back, is certainly the yards main hope in this. He is ideally placed for a decent shot at this title and if he can conjure up a decent effort, with a bit of luck this time round, he could win this but everything will need to go in his favour, especially with a strong outside runner to deal with.
| Horse : Smooth Symphony | Trainer : More The Merrier |
Smooth Symphony has got a nice draw but has he got the necessary ability to back it up over this trip? I'm not sure that he has and he is likely to show up better over further and on a turf track. His dirt form is not that great and bar a fifth instance consolation race as a juvenile, there isn't anything to suggest that he will step up on that effort and the fact that he has not won in this sort of company, over this trip during his career, enables me to safely dodge him.
| Horse : Stunning Finish | Trainer : Sky Castle Stables |
A juvenile champion, who didn't really perform too well in last seasons Nunthorpe, is right back where he belongs this season and he is the one they all have to beat. Everything is in his favour to emulate his two-year-old success. Drawn widest of all is plum for the colt and I can't see anything beating him, even with his 2lb penalty. His form over the trip and surface is outstanding, only out of the first two on two occasions in ten. He is likely to favour muddy ground but I don't think his yard will be too concerned, even if the rain stays away. He is a class act on this surface and the only thing that will beat him is bad luck. The preparation for this final is likely to be spot on and he will be many peoples banker of the festival, he is certainly mine!
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