Hat-trick seeking Polar Bound has plenty of scope for further improvement.
Gr2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Kenilworth (new course) on Wednesday
Eleven of the original 28 entries have stood their ground and with three of those in under sufferance, there doesn’t look to be too many that can win it, writes Steve Furnish.
Seven of the runners ran behind Chesalon in the Gr2 Premier Trophy last time out, but that was a conditions event and now running off their true marks in the handicap the weights are very different here.
Cask
The one who finished closest to the winner in the Premier Trophy was Cask who had won the event in 2010. Stephen Page’s charge has gone ten outings without a win since that eye catching success, but he does command a very nice turn of foot on his day and he has run on stoutly down field on several occasions. Cask raced much closer to the pace in the Premier Trophy and it was that change of tactics as much as anything that enabled him to put up a fight. He goes particularly well over this 1800m trip and if adopting similar tactics here, he should be right there again.
Saluki
Also representing the stable of Stephen Page is the 6yo son of Dubai Destination Saluki. He too commands a fair turn of foot and many will remember his latest success when passing all in the short home straight at Greyville to win the July consolation. That latest win over 2200m was back in July’ 10 though and having only made the frame once in his last eleven outings and having finished tailed off in the Premier Trophy last time out, he cannot be seriously fancied.
Run For It
Placed in three Gr1 events including the prestigious J&B Met last season, Justin Snaith’s charge, amazingly, is without a win in eleven starts now. He does undoubtedly have some impeccable form to his name though and he does appear to be coming right back to best. He was fairly flying from towards the backend of midfield when only finishing half a length behind Cask in the Premier Trophy last time out and although he is now 1,5kg worse off at the weights with that one here, I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned the tables.
Super Storm
The highest rated of Mike Bass’ two runners is Super Storm. This son of Rakeen showed good improvement during the course of last season and he did gain the latest of his five career successes over today’s distance. He’s been steadily coming to hand in his three starts in this campaign and he was making very good headway from the rear when only 2,5 lengths behind second placed Cask in the Premier Trophy last time out. Super Storm meets Cask on 1kg better terms here and with Karl Neisius in the saddle a big run can be expected.
Brown Penny
Stable companion Brown Penny is as consistent as they come and he too showed steady improvement during the course of last season. His four wins have all been gained over 1600m, but he was only beaten a short head by Super Storm in the Gr3 Cup Trial over 1800m last season and he was running on strongly when only beaten two lengths by Lion In Winter in a conditions event on the old course over today’s distance on his seasonal debut last time out. Brown Penny was only a length and three quarters behind Run For It in that latest outing and he is now 7kg better off at the weights with that one here!
Caymen Island
The 6yo Caymen Island is more often than not seen out over further than they race here, but his latest win was achieved over 1600m and he was finishing best of all when only failing to reel in the improving Taipan by the narrowest of margins over today’s distance on the old course in his penultimate start. He was running on strongly in the latter stages of the Premier Trophy last time out and he is now a minimum of 2kg better off at the weights with the three here that finished ahead of him in that race.
Hawk’s Eye
This son of Hawk Wing came to hand nicely at the start of last season and very quickly won three from four. His form since then has been a little in and out though, and it is worth noting that those most recent successes were all achieved over further than he races here.
Azeroth
Trainer Joey Ramsden is also represented by the Western Winter gelding Azeroth. He won three times during the latter half of last season and was progressing nicely prior to being not persevered with when reported as coughing in the Winter Classic in his final start of the campaign. He’s clearly been coming to hand in his two starts since returning from a six month layoff in December and now having his third run after the rest he should be cherry ripe.
League Of Honour
Although his latest two successes have been achieved over a mile, League Of Honour has gained the majority of his wins over today’s course and distance. He’s been ultra consistent in recent months and looks sure to give of his best. He races off much better terms than when finishing behind a number of these in the Premier Trophy last time out, but he has found the going a bit tough when stepping up to graded company previously and a place is perhaps his best hope here.
Polar Bound
The stable of Brett Crawford is in good form at the moment and Polar Bound his sole representative here is progressing very nicely. Indeed, he’s run on particularly well when winning his latest two outings and he is already proven over today’s distance. The long new course straight is sure to suit here and having plenty of scope for further improvement, he has to be a serious runner off just 52,5kg.
Astro News
The only 3yo in the race is the former Gauteng and Durban campaigner Astro News. He’s shown promise from day one and he was far from disgraced when eighth beaten 8,7 lengths by Variety Club in the Gr1 Cape Guineas on his local debut. His best form to date has all been shown over distances up to 1400m though and he was also well beaten, albeit again in Gr1 company, in his only other outing over further. It will be interesting to see how he performs.
About The Pace
With just eleven runners going to post, and very little natural speed in the race, there has to be a serious chance that we will get a falsely run race here. All things being equal though, the two I like best on the day are Polar Bound and Run For It. Polar Bound in particular looks fairly weighted and with plenty of scope for further improvement, it is he who gets the vote.
