Santorini to dazzle opponents in Labour Day feature
BEATEN by out-of-class Billy Whizz at the races on last, the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Santorini should have no problem in present company to win the $850,000 Labour Day Trophy feature event at Caymanas Park today.
The four-year-old chestnut gelding Santorini, travelling nine furlongs (1,800m) on May 14, came from way off the pace to finish 3¼ lengths behind Billy Whizz in a decent time of 1:55.1. Although Santorini is moving up in weight from 44.5kgs (98lb) to 53kgs (117lb), there’s no one in the line-up to deny him his second win this season.
Santorini, bred by Soul Warrior out of the Vanadum mare, can either stalk rivals from close range or come off the pace, but it doesn’t matter which he does as he is going to be unsaddled in the winners’ enclosure when this race is over.
The four-year-old and upward Restricted Allowance III/IV contest going seven furlongs (1,400m) is positioned as the ninth and final event on the card with a post time of 5:20 pm. First race is at 11:35 pm.
Santorini’s stablemate Amy The Butcher, along with stable companions T Bardy and Alexa’s Dream, Taurus Boy and Unruly Boss, all should give good accounts of themselves here.
Coming off a four-month break, Amy The Butcher defeated rivals by 5¼ lengths over today’s distance in a smooth time of 1:26.3 on April 18. Although up in class facing tougher competition, Amy The Butcher, who is much sharper and working well, could take down her stablemate here.
The Gary Subratie-trained T Brady was outsprinted when going five furlongs straight, finishing in ninth place by 31½ lengths behind Cruella and Taurus Boy on May 7. The bay colt should be more suited for this trip and, with a trophy at stake is a dangerous contender.
Alexa’s Dream won well on last, beating rivals by four lengths in a time of 1:13.2 for six furlongs (1,200m) eight days ago. She has improved a lot and must have a say here.
Taurus Boy, trained by Philip Feanny and who has been running well of late, should relish this easier pace and put in a good run here.
Unruly Boss is winless from two starts this season. The chestnut colt should report fitter for this and, given his pace, could fight this out successfully.
Ones to watch:
Race 1) Sparkle Diamond/Rum With Me/Tomohawk
Race 2) Basilicus/Cold Pursuit/Jon P
Race 3) Ricky Ricardo/Nuclear Emma/In The Blood
Race 4) Sudden Flight/Alimony/City Counsel
Race 5) My Smokey/Ultimatum/Buzz Asault
Race 6) I Realise/D Head Cornerstone/Rum Puncher
Race 7) She’s Fantastic/Get A Pepsi/Awesome Prince
Race 8) Yellowstone/Phoenix Risen/A Gift From Ben
Race 9) Santorini/Amy The Butcher/T Brady