IT?COULD?BE?a memorable day for Lord Michael Taylor when the Diamonds International Mont Blanc Star Walker Gents Stakes and Trophy for West Indian-bred two-year-olds, over 1 100 metres (colts and geldings) enters into the second leg of the three-race series today.
The race looks to be tailor-made for the Blue Diamonds racing stable, as they have the advantage in both quantity and quality in the event.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned operation holds a very strong hand in this seven-horse field, led by Island Memories, who was an impressive winner in the William “Bill” Marshall Memorial two-year-old Creole Classic Stakes and Trophy over 1 570 metres.
Istanbul, already a winner at this trip, lost his rider in the William “Bill” Marshall Creole Classic, when he was about to throw down a challenge for the lead, entering the home stretch.
Fiona Kinch-owned Verizon was rewarded with a creditable fourth place in his first taste of life on the race track and should improve with time. Faraway stable-owned Jack Is Back won the New Castle Trophy handicap conditions race (Div-B) over 1 100 metres. However, he failed to land a place next start, in the first leg of this race which was over
1 000 metres. The extra half of a furlong will help him, but he might be slightly outclassed, and would do well to be in the money.
Neil Clarke-owned Sir Harold ran well for a long way in the New Castle Trophy conditions race (Div B) over 1100 metres, finishing fifth, and further improvement is expected.
Physical and Gunsmoke are first-timers.
In the Diamonds International Mont Blanc La Boheme Ladies Stake and Trophy for West Indian-bred two-year-olds over 1 100 metres, if you blink you may miss the winner.
Sir Charles and Lady Williams-owned Slip Stream demolished the field in the Elliott Williams Memorial Juvenile Breeders’’ Championship Stakes and Trophy over 1 100 metres. Prior victories in the Hallway Feeds Foundation Cubes Trophy condition race 1 000 metres and the R.L.Seale and Company Limited Trophy condition race over 1 100 metres comfirm her class.
Her only loss came in the Kathleen Taylor Memorial Stakes and Trophy, also over 1 100 metres, where she went under to Istanbul thus leaving her record at three wins from four starts. Danehill Racing’s Lune De Barachois, on experience alone, can be the bridesmaid.
Christopher Gibbs-owned Indian Soul has found it difficult to get a position higher than fourth in previous starts. she looked good approaching the home turn in the first edition before fading.
John Chandler-owned Sweet Bottom Suzy looked out of her depth in the William Bill Marshall Creole Classic over 1 570 metres on a track that turned up soft while the Miller St John-owned Queen Of Hearts was a commendable fourth in the New Castle Trophy Condition race Div-A over 1 100 metres. She is bred to run longer but should still compete for one of the minor places.
Smokin Hot, Persian Dancer, Jamaica Gem, and Never Say Never have all shown nothing worth while to date, while Wynterose and Red October will make their debuts and may not see where the winner goes along.
My Picks
Race 1: Amanyara
Race 2: Uneverno
Race 3: Erados
Race 4: Island Memories
Race 5: Super Dancer
Race 6: Slip Stream
Race 7: Fedrica
Race 8: Deal Or Nodeal
