Horse of the Year seeks another dream
The wind must have changed for racing fans to be so blessed to witness the top horses in the land race so regularly.
Tomorrow’s seven and a half furlongs Chairman’s Trophy provides another opportunity to see the likes of Diamond Mile winner, Seeking My Dream, upset winner of the Superstakes Franfield, the ever determined and tough Perfect Neighbour, and the importee Uppa Tune in battle as the quest to earn stake money for the Diamond Mile is gathering momentum.
Seeking My Dream, the reigning Horse of the Year, tries for his second consecutive win this season after putting away rivals easily on February 27 in the Eileen Cliggott Memorial Cup.
This time he faces some formidable foes, not least of which is his stable companion Perfect Neighbour.
The Complete Racing Guide analyses the race in an attempt to assist readers to find the winner.
Royal Vibes – Has never really realised his full potential and in this field is simply out of place. Royal Vibes will earn, however, and that is never a bad thing.
Franfield – Racing for the first time this year and over a journey which might just be a tad short for him. Franfield is turning out to be quite a tough competitor and has the necessary qualities to adapt anywhere, it seems. He will be coming off the pace and has been progressing fairly well on the exercise track. Maybe he needs to run to be fully tuned but if those ahead of him make a misstep, Franfield is quite capable of winning. The handicapper has been kind to him.
Campesino – Seems to be racing every week, finishing in second place in five of his last seven starts.Campesino was no match for Seeking My Dream on February 27 finishing four lengths behind, but has tumbled down significantly in the handicaps, moving from 55.0 kilogrammes to 50.0 killogrammes in this race. It should be noted that when he was allotted 55.0 kilogrammes in his last race, apprentice Bebeto Harvey claimed three kilogrammes. Will run his ever true and faithful race and will continue to earn.
Perfect Neighbour – Out for the first time this season. Last raced in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup on Boxing Day 2015, and has been quite busy in the mornings. For Perfect Neighbour to get to the Diamond Mile he has to race in events like these to earn stakes, but everyone knows that he much prefers to go longer. Perfect Neighbour is a quality thoroughbred who runs well when fresh, and is not without a shout here. The pace of his stablemate, Seeking My Dream, might prove to be his undoing, but he cannot be discarded from the reckoning.
Seeking My Dream– Has done everything asked of him with style and panache. Trainer Wayne DaCosta has kept him on the go and he is as fit as hands can make him. Seeking My Dream on his season bow on February 27 in an Open Allowance event simply ran roughshod over his rivals, winning over the same distance as today’s race in a good time of 1:31.3 minutes while displaying a tremendous turn of foot approaching the three-furlong marker, literally pushing himself to the lead. Very difficult to oppose.
Uppa Tune – Coming to come, but not quite there yet. Uppa Tune is a known quantity and is going through a rough patch at this point in his career, being winless since September of last year. Might get the break in this one, but it is hard to give him strong support.