2yo Breeder Cup Long
The Karaka Breeders filly Header made a smart debut last week in the heat, by winning it. This race will tell her connections where they are going with her. White Bones, who partnered her is aboard again and she must go close. The Flying Aces-trained filly Mary Poke Zaracha finished seventh in her heat and is yet to show that she can take on this league.
Pugstable will be looking for a winning effort from his runner Old Regret. The son of Rave On is above average and worth including in a tricky race. Mums Westeros’ win in the one heat stamped her as something special – but we still need some more delivery on that. Regular pilot Venita Toupe is to ride her again, and they could go close.
Jean Locha finished fourth in his heat and he may be ready for a big run under Jordan Villiard. Merchant Banker finished second in his heat, and has a big chance to walk away with the cup. Silken Strauss scraped through to qualify with the apprentice up in the Sunday heat, more to do here to feature.
Fairlawns trained Yorkshire Rose impressed when staying on for third last time behind the two likely favorites in this race today, Mums Westeros and Old Regret. A similar type of race can see her earn a place cheque. Remy Tsunami failed to fire in her heat and looks well held based on that run.
| # | Form | Horse | Stable | Jockey | Final Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Header | Karaka Breeders | White Bones | N/A |
| 2 | 4,7 | Mary Poke Zaracha | Flying Aces | Maira Neldon | N/A |
| 3 | 2 | Old Regret | Pugstable | Rubi Bethune | N/A |
| 4 | 1 | Mums Westeros | Raspadora Lodge | Venita Toupe | N/A |
| 5 | 4 | Jean Locha | RealRacingNZ | Jordan Villiard | N/A |
| 6 | 2 | Merchant Banker | Sootie | !Shane Rumrill! | N/A |
| 7 | 8 | Silken Strauss | Spuraholics | Nicolasa Kutzer | N/A |
| 8 | 1,3 | Yorkshire Rose | Fairlawns | Debora Sokol | N/A |
| 9 | 6 | Remy Tsunami | doneill | Gabriele Holifeild | N/A |
| 10 | 8 | Brisco Visa | Maple Mill Farm | Lilly Tangaro(A) | N/A |
| 11 | 6 | Lovegood Sculpin | Sunset | Santana Larke | N/A |
| 12 | 1,5 | South Alegria | DON BENIGNO | Heike Shindorf | N/A |
Pre-race comments from:
Pugstable – “Should be a ripper of a race even though numbers are down, the experience and times are very good. My horse Old Regret boxed with Karaka’s Header and Raspadoras Mum, and throw in Sooties Banker, and stand in line to collect, these 4 stand out, and you should have the Trifecta. Exacta and and good w/p on each of them. Good luck to all.”
Karaka Breeders – “Am hopeful of a top 5 after Header surprised with a win in the heat. Will hope that she recovers ok for the final being a 2yo. Good luck to all.”
Fairlawns – “Yorkie finished third in the Long Breeder heat, two seconds slower than the winner, with a sprint jockey on her back. She has earned a place in the final so I’ve decided to hire an experienced long distance jockey and we’ll have a crack at a top five place. It’s very satisfying to home breed a horse capable of competing at this level and I’m looking forward to the final. Good luck all.”
doneill – “I am hopeful of a much better running than the heat. Conditions should be favourable. I’ll be happy with a top 5 finish.”
Raspadora Lodge – “A tough race to call. Was thrilled with my filly’s run last week, but am wary of her ‘Unpredictable’ style. Old Regret loomed up late in the heat, expect it will improve significantly in the final. Not too much between Header and Merchant Banker in the other heat on Saturday, which was run at a faster average speed, perhaps making them the pair to beat. Looking forward to it, good luck to all.”