ONE OF THE MOST competitive races on the final day’s card today at the Garrison Savannah is Race 8 – the BTC Stayers Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 77-100 and also open to horses rated 76 and below over 1 800 metres.
Aysha Syndicate’s filly Fusaichi Ridge lost her maiden tag two starts back when landing the Day of National Significance Handicap over 1 800 metres. Prior to and after that win she performed exceptionally.
Coupled with the fact that her trainer Richard Deane’s horses have been firing on all cylinders over all distances, another plus is the booking of Antonio Whitehall to ride. It appears a done deal; Fusaichi Ridge is the one to beat.
Bill and Haley Blevins-owned Little Man Arran, a winner of two of his last three starts, is one that has to be considered.
One of his wins came at today’s distance when he took the Champions Against Breast Cancer Trophy Handicap for horses rated 73-95. At home in this crowd, he now finds himself up the top weight scale which could prove his undoing.
Captain Sully, representing Blue Diamond Stable, has not won for the season but has put in creditable efforts in his last two tries, gaining a pair of seconds; signally a win can’t be far off. While his handicap weight may go against him, his tactical speed could prove decisive.
Island Memories, who has been knocking around in his recent efforts, will appreciate the trip and is expected to be in the shake-up once his trainer sends him out with his “A” game.
Sea Gypsy has been spasmodic since changing stables. In this company at reasonable weight she should not be completely written off.
Indian Officer after an impressive start to his career has gone off the boil. He was third in his last run where at no time did he look a threat to the top two finishers – Aristodemus and Shared Adventure.
It is his first attempt at the trip and with open company which, when combined, makes it a difficult test for the son of Officer out of Heart’s Goldengirl.
Nomoreginrog impressively took care of horses rated 58-80 in the R.L Seale & Company Limited Trophy Handicap over 1 570 metres. Next time out against company rated 66-90 at same trip, he suffered a 20 ¼ lengths trashing at the hands of Zaltarr. One should overlook that effort as the track turned up soft.
Wild Fire walked out the starting gate last effort but was still good enough to capture second position in that maiden sprint event. Rock bottom of the weight scale at 110 pounds her stable mate Fusaichi Ridge appears to carry the stable’s best option.
A.P. Vincero is having his second run since an injury setback. Based on his reappearance effort he is best left alone until after upcoming maintenance break.
My picks
Race 1: The Price Is Right
Race 2: Iamsogroovy
Race 3: Chatter Box
Race 4: Shared Adventure
Race 5: Istanbul
Race 6: Tiny Tot
Race 7: Tornade
Race 8: Fusaichi Ridge
Race 9: Whatadeal
