| R8 TE RAPA | 27 April 2019 |
| Inglis Cambridge Breeders G3 3 OPEN ($67,000), 1200m 1:10.42 | |
| Race Synopsis: This G3 3yo over 1200m saw a deadheat for first in what looked a likely pressure-cooker race pre-jump but it turned out to be anything but that as Speedy Meady at $46 shared the spoils with Vigor Winner ($8) and obviously both had their prices halved.
The winners and where they turned for home in race order were seventh (six-off the inside and three lengths form the leader), third (four-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), led (one-off the inside and a neck clear), fourth (fence and length and a half behind the leader), second (six-off the inside and a length from the winner), fifth (six-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), eighth (seven-off the inside and three and a half lengths from the leader), eighth (three-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), seventh (eight-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader) and led (one-off the inside and a length clear).
So many winners today in a nine-race card were deliberately steered wide turning for home on a track rated as a Dead4 due to track presentation that includes the dreadful excessive kickback factor of stinging sand.
Speedy Meady shared the race win due to the rider making a key decision early on when tenth and wide away from a poor draw as he went back and over to the fence to save ground and ended up eighth then seventh the inside.
Once angled off turning for home the gelding surged through fifth at the 200m and then between runners at the 50m to get to the front 5m out only to be caught on the line to share the honours in 1:10.42.
His form prior had been okay and wet track efforts but not of the standard whereby he could win a G3 field drawn poorly.
It puts a legitimate query on the result but he may well be a very honest type in the right race at the right time as prior to today he had missed paying a dividend only once and that resulted in a fourth.
Hi now has had six starts for three wins.
His stable caused a boilover when they won the G1 Railway (1200m) on New Years Day with Santa Monica at $77 so are not the bettors friend.
Vigor Winner was super in deadheating for first and he has that will to win no matter the trip in transit he gets.
The Australian bred gelding with an ounce of luck should be undefeated and today after being tardy sat back and wide then was eighth deep (albeit with cover) across the top.
His rider then sent him up deeper before the home turn and he turned in centre track and surged to reach fifth at the 200m and fourth at the 100m.
He looked likely to be a close up fourth the closing stages then dug deepest for the fight the final 50m and was rewarded with a share of the win in 1:10.47.
The upside of Vigor Winner is there for all to see and in four runs he has won three of them was beaten a half head in the other.
Santa Catarina started favourite after winning her two runs prior easily and she was wide working before going up second outside the leader.
She got to relax there on settling then challenged turning for home and led soon after holding a narrow lead until caught the final 5m.
The filly was just a head behind the deadheaters and the fact she was in form makes the co-winners form worth get more kudos.
Sheezallmine had won all her three races prior to today and she ran super in this being ninth away then moved up fifth wide at the 800m then into third wide across the top.
She moved up and was a close second at the 200m and fought hard to the line to be beaten a length in an effort that deserved praise.
Media Sensation was a sound fifth after racing handy the outer and got beaten less than two lengths.
Over four lengths from the winner then came She's A Thief, usually a leader, that settled down tenth and ran on in a gap.
Cavallo Veloce was initially handy away then lost his place badly to end up ninth the inner before being spat out the back to be second last the inner across the top.
He was seen running on late as was Mr Universe that once tardy away settled down second last and then last the outer across the top.
Bolt From The Blue only battled after settling down sixth then losing his spot but considering he is usually a leader therein lies the racing pattern problem and a tactical blunder considering he drew well.
Espresso Martini battled closer late after settling down twelfth and she has only won her races when leading or trailing, so another runner today was ridden counter too her pattern.
Lincoln Falls was weak after racing fourth the inner and his bubble has well and truly burst though the awful kickback today on the track probably did not help his cause.
Qiji Express was surprisingly second favourite when a very hit and miss type as his formlines suggest and after settling down wide in the midfield albeit with cover he never ran on.
All his wins have come when either leading up, trailing or racing no further back than third the outer.
Wekaforce led up but once headed early the run home stopped badly and was very poor while Hypnos was last away and then came up wide before the home turn to be ninth turning in and deepest out.
He stopped badly and his rider was looking down at the horses back right leg with 100m to go worryingly.
The first five home embellish each others form so this is a legitimate G3 race and result and there will be a poultice of future winners from the ace, as there always is.
The winning time of 1:10.47 however is an issue when you consider a first starter juvenile filly won R2 today easily called Subpoena in 1:10.60, so either she is a deadest rising star or this 3yo feature was not quite the real deal.
Remember her name as a Rip Van Winkle winning as a juvenile is a massive tick.
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Group 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes
1st: Vigor Winner (Donavan Mansour)/Speedy Meady (Andrew Calder)
3rd: Santa Catarina (Sam Spratt)
