Christmas could very well come early at the Garrison Savannah for the Estate of Major R.A. Stoute and Senator Geoffrey Cave in today’s feature race the Season’s Greetings Handicap over 1 570 metres.
That’s because their gelding Dance The Distance looks the likely winner of this event for three-year-old and older horses rated 80-100 and also open to horses rated 79 and below.
Trained by Naz Issa, the son of Forty Mile out of Band Dancer returned from an eight-month layoff with an impressive victory in the Nicodemus Trophy Handicap over 1 100 metres against horses rated 72-95.
He is now positioned at a trip that many consider to be his pet distance. Additionally, the weight of 122 pounds appears to assist him in replicating his last effort.
Meteorite raised eyebrows when he stunned 2011 Derby winner Kendal Moon in the Bonaventure Challenge Stakes & Trophy over today’s distance.
This was followed by two poor efforts against horses rated 70-95 sprinting and 58-80 over 1 570 metres.
He has since shown some level of improvement with third and second placed finishes in his most recent tries.
Overmatched by rating, his penny stamp allotted weight of 112 pounds could be enough to allow him to be a live contender among this crowd as he figures to improve.
Lady Quill’s performances of three wins and a second place from her last six have certainly pleased her connections.
She won the Don Juan Handicap over 1 800 metres for horses rated 63-85, the Red Wine Condition Race for non West Indian bred three-year-old horses rated 83-105 and four year-old horses rated 63-85 over 1 570 metres.
Her last success came in the Sale Graduates’ Champion Stakes for three and four-year old Barbados-bred horses over 1 570 metres.
The last assignment of the 46th Anniversary Of Independence Handicap over 1 800 metres against horses rated 100-120 proved more than she could handle.
However, today’s weight, trip and calibre of competition is right up her alley.
Aristodemus was fifth in the above mentioned race. It was a credible performance as he got back to the quarter-mark with the leaders before packing it in.
While this field should not daunt him, once given the necessary time to develop he can mature into a special horse for his connections. Expect nothing less than a top four finish.
Indian Officer, after blazing the track as a two-year-old, tailed off at the end of last year. He now seems to be coming back into his own and figures to be around with more improvement expected.
Indanger has clearly demonstrated to all and sundry that he is clearly past his best.
Still without a win after three days, Blue Diamond Stables has thrown in Must Be The Money, Captain Sully, Run Alke Run and Peaceful Envoy. To select one it would be appropriate to flip a coin.
Charge It and Fusaichi Ridge competes the field. If this was an election, they would be lucky to get back their deposit.
My Picks
Race 1: Proud Bajan
Race 2: Danny Crane
Race 3: The Price Is Right
Race 4: Flying South
Race 5: Summer Time
Race 6: Fernandina
Race 7: Dance The Distance
Race 8: Cassanova
