imaufo
10-08-2002, 15:16
Star Youngsters back
By Gary Crispe
Saturday, 10 August 2002: This afternoon sees Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal go up against the Queensland speed machine Star Of Florida in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1000m) at Randwick and also the re-appearance of Great Glen in Adelaide. With the “slate” clean for their three-year-old season, past reputations might count for little as these horses vy for new recognition as older gallopers.
Scott Seamer back today
Star Of Florida has gained an big reputation as being the fastest horse to come out of Queensland since horses like Todmaid, Eye Liner and General Nediym and will certainly have the acid test put to him this afternoon as he faces his biggest task to date.
He smashed the track record last start at Doomben over 1110m stopping the clock at 1.02:95 secs in open two-year-old company winning untouched by 7 lengths and looked to have “something” in reserve.
That run was his second this campaign. First up he scored just as easily at Toowoomba over 1030m by over 8 lengths.
At his only other run he was beaten at Eagle Farm over 1000m in the Hopeful Stakes on debut.
The big question to be answered this afternoon is whether he can measure up to the stronger class and handle the additional pressure that is going to be applied to him.
His main dangers are the Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal who resumes from a spell and Eastwest Express who comes off a months break after winning his only three race starts to date.
Even on adjusted race times, the time figures probably still point to Star Of Florida as the horse to beat but Calway Gal does have a time rating on her form that would make her competitive if she was at her best.
And to my mind that is the issue. Bruce Brown has a big Spring campaign mapped out for her and if she is not fully wound up then she will not be able to match it with a fitter, faster Star Of Florida.
The other factor to consider is that Calaway Gal tended to “loose” some of her early dash at the end of her last campaign when connections tried successfully to get her to relax more in her races.
That being the case it seems unlikely that race rider Scott Seamer will want to “fire” her up early for a speed battle with Star Of Florida.
The upset could come from the unbeaten Eastwest Express who has made rapid improvement in his ratings in each of his three runs to date.
He has not raced since July 6th when an impressive winner over 1100m at Rosehill in fast adjusted race time.
In that run he trailed the speed and forged clear in the final 200m under 59kgs to win easily in fast race time.
This galloper drops in weight and will be fresh enough to not let Star Of Florida get too far away and he could well end up being the “smokey” in the field.
There will be a lot of interest in the re-appearance of Great Glen in the W H Whylie Handicap over 1050m at Morophettville.
This three-year-old remains unbeaten in two runs to date and has not raced since winning the Breeders’ Plate over 1263m at Cheltenham beating Yell who subsequently raced with distinction in Sydney and Brisbane.
Great Glen went for a spell after that win for a well deserved rest.
However he showed he was not far off his best form for a return to the track with an outstanding barrier trial win at Cheltenham on July 29.
His run today will be a stepping stone to Melbourne where he will contest races like the Vain Stakes and Ascot Vale Stakes.
By Gary Crispe
Saturday, 10 August 2002: This afternoon sees Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal go up against the Queensland speed machine Star Of Florida in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1000m) at Randwick and also the re-appearance of Great Glen in Adelaide. With the “slate” clean for their three-year-old season, past reputations might count for little as these horses vy for new recognition as older gallopers.
Scott Seamer back today
Star Of Florida has gained an big reputation as being the fastest horse to come out of Queensland since horses like Todmaid, Eye Liner and General Nediym and will certainly have the acid test put to him this afternoon as he faces his biggest task to date.
He smashed the track record last start at Doomben over 1110m stopping the clock at 1.02:95 secs in open two-year-old company winning untouched by 7 lengths and looked to have “something” in reserve.
That run was his second this campaign. First up he scored just as easily at Toowoomba over 1030m by over 8 lengths.
At his only other run he was beaten at Eagle Farm over 1000m in the Hopeful Stakes on debut.
The big question to be answered this afternoon is whether he can measure up to the stronger class and handle the additional pressure that is going to be applied to him.
His main dangers are the Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal who resumes from a spell and Eastwest Express who comes off a months break after winning his only three race starts to date.
Even on adjusted race times, the time figures probably still point to Star Of Florida as the horse to beat but Calway Gal does have a time rating on her form that would make her competitive if she was at her best.
And to my mind that is the issue. Bruce Brown has a big Spring campaign mapped out for her and if she is not fully wound up then she will not be able to match it with a fitter, faster Star Of Florida.
The other factor to consider is that Calaway Gal tended to “loose” some of her early dash at the end of her last campaign when connections tried successfully to get her to relax more in her races.
That being the case it seems unlikely that race rider Scott Seamer will want to “fire” her up early for a speed battle with Star Of Florida.
The upset could come from the unbeaten Eastwest Express who has made rapid improvement in his ratings in each of his three runs to date.
He has not raced since July 6th when an impressive winner over 1100m at Rosehill in fast adjusted race time.
In that run he trailed the speed and forged clear in the final 200m under 59kgs to win easily in fast race time.
This galloper drops in weight and will be fresh enough to not let Star Of Florida get too far away and he could well end up being the “smokey” in the field.
There will be a lot of interest in the re-appearance of Great Glen in the W H Whylie Handicap over 1050m at Morophettville.
This three-year-old remains unbeaten in two runs to date and has not raced since winning the Breeders’ Plate over 1263m at Cheltenham beating Yell who subsequently raced with distinction in Sydney and Brisbane.
Great Glen went for a spell after that win for a well deserved rest.
However he showed he was not far off his best form for a return to the track with an outstanding barrier trial win at Cheltenham on July 29.
His run today will be a stepping stone to Melbourne where he will contest races like the Vain Stakes and Ascot Vale Stakes.