A Perfect Ending

We decided to go to Australia this weekend to the Caulfield meeting for making our way back to the Stats for the inaugural G2 Revenge Stakes at Shenadoah Downs. There were two races at Caulfield that caught our attention from the Pre-Race Card – The Caulfield Guineas (G1) and the Caulfield Stakes (G1).

The first race on the card was The Guineas a test of 8 furlongs for 3 year olds with a purse of $500,000. There were 6 colts entered for the 8 furlong race, but for me there it was a 3 horse race between – World Record Holder and Eclipse Champion Run Missy Run (Missy’s Bridle x Pharien) from Golden Acres, the talented Quick Step (Troll Tower x Golden Ballet) trained at Moose Hollow Farm, and the lightly raced Perfect Picture (Handsome Man x Change of Scenery) owned by Hopeful Farm.

Also entered was Bellfast Lad (Bellbuster x Classy Lassy) from Elite Thoroughbreds, Just Cause (Giant’s Causeway x Ha Ha) from Spartan Racing Stables, and Light Granite (Kingston Town x Macedon Lady) trained by Port Pirie Racing Stables.

Run Missy Run never ran worse than 3rd in his last 11 races, including big wins at the Golden Slipper Stakes (2 years old) and his World Record performance earlier in the year. He is looking ever impressive and was the clear favorite to win the Guineas going off at 3/5. The bettors backed Troll Tower colt Quick Step and sent him off at 5/2. He managed to win a G1 last year and a strong 4th in the Magic Millions. In his last start Quick Step managed an impressive win in the slop at a mile. The bettors sent out the very lightly raced (only 2 previous lifetime starts) Perfect Picture at 5/1. He raced only one as a two year old where he won running away, and placed 2nd in a 6 furlong race earlier in the year.

At the start Bellfast Lad broke the fasted and began a duel for the lead with Light Granite early in the race. Perfect Picture broke badly and his jockey wasn’t rushing him and he fell back to 6th early on. Run Missy Run positioned himself perfectly in 3rd waiting, with Just Cause and Quick Step between him and Perfect Picture.

Light Granite won the early duel and was holding about a length lead over Bellfast Lad. However, both Run Missy Run and Perfect Picture were not to be left behind. Run Missy Run was splitting the leaders going in between, and Perfect Picture was going wide. Quick Step was behind Light Granite and Run Missy Run on the inside, content to wait to make his bid with Just Cause tailing him a few lengths behind.

As they entered the turn Perfect Picture had taken the lead from Light Granite with Run Missy Run on his heels. Quick Step had slid past Bellfast Lad on the inside, still stalking the leaders. Just Cause was 6th, but still within striking distance.

As they travled around the curve Perfect Picture held a 2 length lead as Run Missy Run inched into second. Quick Step had fallen directly behind Light Granite and had to be pulled up slightly then taken around. Bellfast Lad was getting a small breather for the homestretch, with Just Cause a length behind.

With just 2 furlongs to go Perfect Picture held a length over Run Missy Run and was running well within himself (pictured right). Quick Step went wide and was starting to make up ground having nearly caught Light Granite who was third. Bellfast Lad and Just Cause were trying hard, but with little to show for it 6 and 7 ½ lengths off of Perfect Picture.

In the final drive Perfect Picture and Run Missy Run hit another gear and started to pull away from Quick Step who had overtaken Light Granite in a few strides. Perfect Picture was slowly increasing the daylight between him and the Golden Acres colt.

With less than a furlong to go Light Granite had begun to fall back fast, while Quick Step had started to close the distance between him and Run Missy Run. However, Perfect Picture ran under the wire by himself 3 lengths ahead of Run Missy Run with a time of 1:34.33 which was a new Track Record.

Bellfast Lad came home 4th behind him was Just Cause, with Light Granite finishing a very fast fading 6th.

*Matt’s Notable Mention: Okay, so maybe I had to go to Australia to see Perfect Picture run because I was his breeder; but still an excellent 3rd run for this colt. I actually didn’t think that he was going to pull off the win – I had the finish of Run Missy Run and then Perfect Picture and Quick Step battling for 2nd. But the added furlongs seemed to do him some good – a 9 point PSR jump and his biggest purse to boot. Light Granite made a good run, until he hit a wall in the last few furlongs. I want to say that it was the injury that made the jock pull him up – he is slowly getting better with each start though. He should do better the next time out (and maybe a G2?).

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I was going to post this as one long recap of 3 races - with a nod towards a 4th - however, due to some computer problems I hope to post the others later this week.

Good Luck and Happy Racing!