Wanganui Results (Race 8)

Saturday, 3rd June 2017

8
15:39
(local)

Challenge Stakes (LR)

Type: OPEN
NZD $50,000
1590m TURF HEAVY
8
15:39
(local)
NZD $50,000
1590m HEAVY

Challenge Stakes (LR)

Type: OPEN

This Listed 1590m under WFA was a disappointing field for actual depth and form for many of the runners at this level. It was however run at a searching clip and saw the first four home all being on run on types. Duffer’s Creek came with a well-timed surge to win by a length and clock 1:43.39 and record his eleventh win in forty-five starts. It was his first success at WFA and incredibly a first blackype win for the rising 8yo that sat back but then was unleashed wider out the closing 200m. The last time Duffers Creek won before today came in August of 2016 and all of his wins have come on slow or heavy footing. He is versatile in having led up to score many times but can be ridden cold too. Thorn Prince fresh up since last September ran a cracker for second and he adores rain-affected footing. The rising 9yo got back but moved into fifth midrace then surged to lead at the 100m but could not withstand the finish of Duffers Creek that was fifth up so well seasoned by racing. Taurus, also a rising 9yo, had shown nothing three runs this time in so far but ran a good fourth after sitting in that spot most of the race. He won this last year and had been placed in it the previous two years so does like his home track and this time of the year. Ringo was running on the final stages after settling down sixth and is a winner in waiting this campaign the rising 8yo. Underthemoonlight, the favourite, was a disappointing fifth beaten over five lengths after sitting third then lodging a challenge across the top. The 1590m under WFA against all comers looks the problem, as she can likely only get away with it under handicap conditions. Gypsy Fair disputed the pace and once headed the final 200m weakened out but she can be forgiven as WFA is a scale that seems beyond the rising 7yo mare. The rest were outclassed by massive margins under WFA and are all handicappers through and through. This was a weak field and an ageing one too and was basically a majority line up of handicappers and a couple of WFA performers at the most.